Design work underway for whitewater park improvements

Proposal includes second wave replacement and waveshaper


River surfers from the Gunnison Waves group gather to surf the second wave at the Gunnison Whitewater Park.

Gunnison Waves and other river users have asked local leaders to add a waveshaper to the whitewater park — a device that is prized by surfers for its ability to create a consistent wave when flows vary along the river. 

Gunnison County, along with the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District, are collecting feedback from local surfers and other river users on proposed improvements at the Gunnison Whitewater Park. Conceptual plans include moving and replacing the second wave or “Drop #2,” and adding an adjustable waveshaper. Although a waveshaper is widely supported by the river community, county staff are still exploring its feasibility due to staffing issues and added costs.  

McLaughlin Whitewater, the design and engineering firm the county works with to assess conditions at the park, has been monitoring Drop #2 yearly since wave three was rebuilt in 2015 due to scouring underneath. According to project manager Ben Nielsen, although the current condition of Drop #2 does not pose a safety risk to surfers, it is worsening and following the same trajectory as wave three. 

Jason Lakey, one of the original founders of Gunnison Waves, said the drop first shifted in 2019 after a big snow year. Users began to notice a decrease in the waves performance in 2020, where waves were harder to catch and stay in, he said.

Gunnison County provided funding for preliminary engineering plans for the replacement of the second wave and other improvements. After a design is finalized and approved, the county will seek grant funding from Great Colorado Outdoors (GOCO) or similar recreation programs. GOCO has supported numerous projects within Gunnison County including the Shady Island River Park, the boat ramp at the whitewater park and the new grandstands at the fairgrounds. 

The proposed improvements include moving Drop #2 between 50-70 feet up river, creating more distance between the second and third waves. This will give surfers, especially new ones, more time to get out into the eddy before they have to go into the third — creating another level of safety for those on the water. 

“If the water is somewhat big, it’s easy to get pushed out and have to go through the third wave,” Lakey said.

Lakey said some of the best waves in the world are a two-foot drop or more. The second wave is on a slightly flatter section of the river with a drop of about 1.8 feet. According to McLaughlin, moving the drop upriver will move it closer to the two-foot mark, making it a better wave. 

The rework also includes jetties on the other side of the river for current control and fish habitat, as well as a boat chute. During high water, the chute will allow boaters to bypass the actual wave, putting them right in line with the chute boaters use to go through the third wave. 

Members of the surfing community have also expressed interest in a waveshaper. The patented device, designed by McLaughlin, uses a steel plate that moves up and down with a simple hydraulic lift to make micro adjustments to a wave. The technology can meet the different preferences of kayakers and surfers, and also lengthening the surf season. 

The second wave is optimal for surfing when the river is flowing at 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and above. A waveshaper would drop the number down to nearly 400 cfs, allowing surfers to hit the waves later in the season. 

Former Public Works Director Marlene Crosby, who has been a lead on the project, said that because the park does not have full time staff, park maintenance and safety is a barrier. The second worry is cost. The waveshaper would add an additional $100-450,000, putting it totally out of reach, she said. 

Local surfer Pete Peacock has been surfing the Gunnison for nearly seven years, but has also taken time to travel to different river parks. He said a waveshaper would be an “amazing” outlet for the community. 

“It’s just a growing sport all over, and the places that have these waveshapers are huge hits,” Peacock said. 

The whitewater park’s first wave will also need to be repaired within the next five years, so many surfers are leaning toward putting a waveshaper into that rework instead — giving Gunnison Waves more time to raise money for the new addition. Gunnison Waves partnered with the county and the Upper Gunnison to collect input at the Gunnison River Festival and will continue to collect comments for the next couple of weeks. It is likely a final design will not be available until early fall.

Waveshaper or not, Lakey said McLaughlin’s proposal will be good for the community as a whole. 

“There’s a lot of benefits for fishermen, rafters, surfers, kayakers — everybody that really uses the park,” he said. “I imagine pushing second wave up river a little bit will give more beach to people that just enjoy going down to the park and soaking up sun and swimming.”

(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@gunnisontimes.com.)

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