Bardstown Boaters

Paddler's Summit - Frankfort, Ky.

2010-11-22T09:07:00.000-05:00

On Friday November, 19 I participated in a one day Paddle Sports Development Conference at the offices of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. The purpose of the meeting was to have an initial discussion about ways to help promote and develop new paddling opportunities in Kentucky. This included the whitewater park that the Bardstown Boaters have been developing. After receiving our cost estimates in February of 2010 for the restoration of the rubble dam on the Beech Fork River, I was hoping to learn of some possible grant opportunities for the park.

This meeting brought together some of the most influential people in the Kentucky paddle sports community, together with those in the state government, to look at what potential projects are out there needing support, prioritize those projects for much needed support, and start working together state wide to advance our sport for the benefit of our state, our local communities, and our locally owned businesses.

The two projects that we spoke about the most were the Russell Fork River and the Beech Fork in Bardstown. Steve Ruth is leading an effort in getting more recognition for paddling opportunities at the already great, but overlooked, whitewater stream in Eastern Kentucky. He is alos working on developing a whitewater park on the lower section of the Russell Fork. The Bardstown Boaters spoke about the Beech Fork Whitewater park project and the work already done by Riverrestoration.org there. Briefly mentioned, was the proposed park in Bowling Green.

Some of those who were in a attendance included Kevin Nuss and Nick Hope with the Kentucky Sports Authority. They billed themselves as the ones who bring events to Kentucky. Elaine Wilson and Seth Wheat represented the Kentucky Office of Adventure Tourism. These might be the folks who could assist us with locating grant funds for the Bardstown project. From the department of Fish and Wildlife we spoke with Benjy Kinman and Mark Cramer, one interesting thing they are doing with federal money is building boat access ramps to lakes and streams. This may be an avenue to explore for the Bardstown project.

Those from the paddling community in attendance were Steve Ruth of Elkhorn City, Ky., Doug Davis of River City Canoe and Kayak, Brian Sandman, Viking Canoe Club, Brent Austin, BWA, Smurf, owner of Sheltowee Trace, and Allison Depenbrock, with Canoe Kentucky.

I presented the Bardstown project to everyone and harped on the numbers. $371,000 to build our park. That is quite low which it is due to the access of materials at the rubble dam, the existing road access, land ownership by the City of Bardstown, and the infrastructure of Bardstown tourism industry, all which is currently in place. I think this helps immensely with getting the park built. We just need to modify the hazardous dam into a playful whitewater feature, that will then be primed for world class whitewater events and daily recreation oppertunities.

Overall my presentation was received very well by the group. Many were impressed that we had come this far in the process, we are the only ones who have some idea of the costs involved and again, they are relitivly low costs at that.

The next steps from all of this seem to be more meetings and greater coalition, something more substantial in numbers so we can say, here look, we are 5,000 strong and we want more outdoor paddling opportunities for Kentucky. Here are some great places to start.

A very special thanks goes out to Doug Davis who made this meeting happen. In his short time in Kentucky already, I feel that he has done much to help progress the paddling scene in the state and on a national level. The man is driven, just like many others who were seated at the table today. That is what I love most about the Kentucky paddling community.

Possible Grant for Beech Fork Project

2010-11-20T21:56:00.001-05:00

Division of Water - Nonpoint Source

Funding through Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act is provided to the Kentucky Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Control Program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Funds can be used to pay for 60 percent of the total cost for each project; a 40 percent nonfederal match is required.

The Kentucky NPS Pollution Control Program seeks projects to compete for funding. Grants are available for watershed-based plan development and implementation, protection of Special Use Waters with identified threats, as well as other nonpoint source pollution control projects to help mitigate or prevent runoff pollution. Priority consideration will be given to applications for watershed-based plan development and implementation in 303(d) listed streams and protection of threatened Special Use Waters.

Project proposal forms may be submitted at any time; however, deadlines apply to specific federal funding cycles. To be considered for 2011 funding, project proposal forms have to be submitted by Feb. 4, 2011.

2011 Grant Application and Funding Process

Read the Grant Guidance Document and Application instructions.

Contact a NPS staff member to discuss your potential project.
Submit Project Proposal Form by Feb. 4, 2011.

A NPS staff member will contact you to discuss your proposal.
Feb. 4 to Feb. 25, 2011 -- proposal review and selection.
Upon invitation, develop an application.

Submit application. Application must be postmarked by midnight April 22, 2011. If delivered by hand, application must be received by 4:30 p.m. ET April 22, 2011, at the Division of Water, NPS Section, 200 Fair Oaks Lane, Fourth Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601.

May 15 to July 15, 2011 -- project review and selection.

Oct. 1, 2011 -- expected receipt of grant from the EPA.

Contract written and executed.
Project begins.

Photos at the French Broad

2010-11-05T13:57:00.001-04:00

Back in September the Bardstown Boaters paddled the French Broad and Pigeon Rivers. Some of the "elder" members had their photos taken while paddling their Cadillacs down Section IX of the French Broad. The pictures are really good, especially David's run. Don't miss it.

See them all here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/moocowmama/sets/72157624262059404/

Ode to the Club Boater

2010-10-26T13:09:00.000-04:00

Cherokee Park Restoration

2010-10-25T11:15:00.001-04:00

Stream Restoration Project along the Middle Fork of Beargrass Creek in Cherokee Park. View more photos here.

Proposals to make rapids safer raise a raft of questions

2010-10-19T20:37:00.002-04:00

There’s a boulder in Staircase Rapid on the South Fork of Idaho’s Payette River that can kill you.

If you spill from a raft upstream on the left side of the river, you might get channeled to the boulder’s submerged undercut face, where the water could suck you into a dangerous sieve. River guide Dean Fairburn drowned here in 2007. Some 15 to 20 rafts wrap here every season, according to commercial outfitter Chad Long, who co-manages Cascade Raft and Kayak with his extended family.

But with the river low this fall because of work on an upstream dam, Chad’s father, Tom Long, saw an opportunity. Could the boulder be moved to make the rapid safer? It’s not exactly natural, anyway: The Army Corps of Engineers reconstructed the run after a mudslide here blocked the river in 2001. So Tom got a stream-alteration permit from the state — and kicked off a heated discussion within the whitewater community.

Meanwhile, this past July, 23-year-old river guide Kimberly Appelson became the fourth person since 2000 to drown in a more notorious, natural sieve in Frog Rock Rapids on Colorado’s Arkansas River. This fall, officials there also considered tweaking the rapid to make it safer — rousing yet more debate.

Read more …

Linville Falls

2010-10-17T13:37:00.001-04:00

Russell Fork

2010-10-09T14:40:00.001-04:00

The Russell Fork River is a free-flowing stream with 16 miles of great whitewater between Haysi, Va., and Elkhorn City, Ky. Every year in October the Russell Fork has guaranteed water releases on the the weekends. Since I started paddling I have never missed a year of boating at the Breaks Interstate Park on this beautiful Kentucky/Virginia river.

Hollis and Jennifer came along for the ride and to see the park while Jay Thomas and Myself met at Garden Hole for a Saturday run of the upper section. It was unusually warm on this day, an added bonus and great paddling weather.

The Russell Fork is a beautiful river wether your paddling it, viewing from the high above the gorge, or swimming it, out of your boat through 20 Stitches while hitting every hole through the rapid.

This year, since I had the family in tow, we stayed at the lodge, which was a decent room with a spectacular view. I'll certainly be back next year, if not again this October.

Environmental Problems Dirty Coxs Creek

2010-09-27T08:48:00.000-04:00

Government report gives poor grades to stream’s water quality and habitats

By Frank Johnson | The Kentucky Standard

Coxs Creek

A report card released Friday from the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection shows Nelson County has some homework to do.

The Division of Water spent the last year evaluating the health of the Cox Creek watershed in northern Nelson County. The area’s final grade: C-.

The stream and its tributaries received poor marks in many of the eight categories the study measured, particularly due to high levels of E. Coli in the water, a decreasing numbers of fish and bugs, and the substantial loss of habitat and natural cover.

The results of the study surprised farmer Oliver Rodgers, who said he has invested heavily in measures to help limit the environmental impact of his farming operations.

“We are spending a lot of money on our end to protect the streams and put the nutrients where they need to be,” Rodgers said. “In a lot of respects, I think we are doing more than we have in the past.”

The area has historically been home to some of the county’s largest farms and with the planned expansion of U.S. 31E to a four-lane highway, it’s also a region set to experience a lot of growth.

“There is a delicate balance between promoting economic development and protecting our water resources,” said Katie McKone, a state environmental biologist who helped compile the report. “It’s hard to put a price tag on clean water, but it’s a goal we are compelled to pursue.”

Tommy Hart, Nelson County Kentucky Farm Bureau Board of Directors president, said that is a goal shared by many farmers in the area who are engaged in an ongoing improvement in farming practices.

“Farmers are, for the most part, pretty good stewards of the land,” Hart said.

For his part, Rodgers has invested about $40,000 to build a new feed facility for his cattle that will help prevent any animal waste from entering Cox Creek.

On a different farm, Rodgers has received help from the Nelson County Soil Conservation office in erecting a fenced barrier around the stream to allow it to return to a more natural state.

“That’s how serious I am about the streams,” Rodgers said.

Despite these efforts, the report shows progress in restoring water quality in the Cox Creek watershed is still a long way downstream.

Twelve points of the creek and its branches — six of which are in Nelson County — were monitored for eight signs of water quality and biological health. Grades were given for each and then an average score compiled from the results.

In one of these areas, the level of E. Coli in the water, a majority of the sites received an F.

“From May to November 2009, eight of the 11 sites had E. Coli concentrations above the safe standard for swimming 80 to 100 percent of the time,” the report said. “These levels may cause gastrointestinal illness if the water is swallowed or infection if contact is made with an open sore or wound.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, E. Coli is a bacteria that lives in the stomachs of ruminants such as cattle and causes diseases in humans when feces from such animals is ingested.

The report also noted substantial losses of what is called the “riparian zone.” The riparian zone is the land adjacent to a stream that has distinct soil types and plant communities, which aid in absorbing water and shading the stream.

For an area to receive an A, it must be at least 18 yards wide on each side of the stream. In the eight sites were the riparian zone was studied, the Cox Creek watershed received two Fs, four Ds and two Cs.

The report said the loss of the habitat provided by a large riparian zone is harmful to the ecological cycle of streams. It results in less bacteria for insects to eat, which in turn means less insects for fish to munch on.

However, McKone said these two problems are just some of the many factors that affect water quality.

“The problem is that there is never really any one issue,” McKone said. “It’s hard to say if you fix this one thing, it’ll get better. The goal of the report is to show the overarching issues that affect water quality.”

The information is pulled from a year-long collection of data conducted in 2009 about the creek and the tributaries that feed into it in northern Nelson County and nearby Spencer and Bullitt counties. The study was triggered by an initial evaluation that showed Cox Creek did not meet the standards for activities such as swimming and fishing required by the Clean Water Act.

McKone said the “Health Report” is part of a pilot program developed by the Kentucky Division of Water to better communicate its findings to the public and increase awareness of the problems in Kentucky’s waterways. The Cox Creek Health Report is the first to be publicly released.

The report does not come with any regulatory requirements or force government, business or individuals to make specific changes.

For more information Kentucky’s rivers, streams and creeks, visit the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection Division of Water at water.ky.gov.

Russell Fork Schedule for this October

2010-09-15T11:40:00.003-04:00

The annual Russell Fork Rendezvous has been moved to the first release weekend, October 2-3. The 2nd Russell Fork Free for All will coincide with Rendezvous on the 2nd. Here's a look at the four weekends:

10/2-3 | 800cfs | Russell Fork Rendezvous, Russell Fork Free for All

10/9-10 | 800cfs | Baddlun, Paddler's Appreciation

10/16-17 | 800cfs | Open

10/23-24 | 1100cfs |Lord of the Fork Race

The Baddlun is an extreme triathlon that includes a 14 mile bike course, 12 mile whitewater (Class IV-V) and 2.5 mile run. Not for the squeamish!

The Lord of the Fork is our annual extreme Class V downriver race in the gorge. Race history here.

Stay tuned for further information on all these events at http://www.russellfork.info

Hot Springs

2010-09-08T09:10:00.003-04:00

John Mathews moved to Hawaii a long time ago it seems now. He doesn't get to see much whitewater there, except the break of the Pacific Ocean waves. We really feel sorry for him … we really do. So much that a bunch of new school Bardstown Boaters and old school Nelson Co. Whitewater Association (NCWA) members got together with John and his goggles for some runs on the French Broad and Pigeon Rivers.

We camped at Hot Springs in North Carolina, a town at the intersection of the French Broad River and the Appalachian Trail. On Friday we kayaked, canoed and rafted our way down the low-water French Broad at ~700cfs. It was a tight run for even the kayak, so I'm not real sure how the raft made it down. Darkness came in quick as we neared the takeout at Stackhouse — then the rain came in even quicker as we picked up vehicles and got the gear back to camp. Oh, Ryan swam this one. I think he was trying to open a beer and slipped out.

On Saturday the old-timers ran the French Broad with just a little less water and in their open canoes. Buck, Johnny and David E. aced it in the chase-boating category. David set his canoe in motion down river, minus himself, while the others chased it and he enjoyed a leisurely swim. All in true NCWA fashion.

On the other side of the mountains the rest of group ran the last release of the year on the "Dirty Bird," the Pigeon River. We had some rafts, a Duckie and a Shredder. Everyone enjoyed the run and we had a lot of fun even with the barrage of commercial rafting traffic.

We were especially grateful for Sarah's awesome photographs from the bank. She only missed one great photo opportunity of my wife Jennifer and myself showing everyone how it is done at "Lost Guide." I really wish you could have seen it, it was amazing, but there are no pictures, so it's hard to describe, so I won't.

On Sunday John and his goggles wanted even more whitewater action, so he took them to the Ocoee for another rafting trip. I'm sure they had fun there too.

For more pictures of the weekend click here.

Club Canoe Fleet

2010-08-08T17:20:00.000-04:00

Here is a picture of the club's growing canoe fleet. The Bardstown Boaters also have a club two-person inflatable kayak otherwise known as a "duckie."

Join the club and get out on the water today!

A Closer Look at Kentucky's Red River

2010-08-01T18:24:00.000-04:00

The Red River in its headwaters doesn’t look capable of carving through time one of the most scenic and geologically unique areas in the United States. It is a small, intimate stream not much wider than many Kentucky creeks.

However, the river’s westward journey from the Cumberland Plateau through the Pottsville (or Cumberland) Escarpment leaves in its wake a boulder strewn valley with natural stone arches, rock shelters, soaring cliffs and scenery that leaves visitors spellbound. The sheer grandeur of the Red River inspired Congress to designate National Wild and Scenic River status to the 19.4 mile section from the KY 746 bridge downstream to the mouth of Schoolhouse Branch. The Red is the only National Wild and Scenic River in Kentucky.

The Red River possesses two distinct floats for canoeists, kayakers and anglers: the swift upper Red River for kayakers and the much gentler middle section for canoeists and anglers.

Fishing the Red River requires patience. The middle section offers the best fishing. Clear water and lots of human activity make the smallmouth bass, spotted bass and sunfish jumpy on Red River. Downsize line size, wear drab clothing and use small, subtle lures such as 4-inch finesse worms and 3-inch boot tail grubs for smallmouth and Kentucky bass. Red in-line spinners work great on longear sunfish, rock bass and bluegill.

Rainbow and brown trout inhabit some tributaries of the Red River, such as Swift Camp Creek, East Fork of Indian Creek and the Middle Fork of Red River.

Paddlers on the Red shouldn’t be fooled by the creek-sized flow they encounter at the upper river access in Wolfe County. The upper Red River possesses one of the most awe-inspiring, remote and challenging stretches of whitewater in the southeastern United States.

Floats on the 10.8-mile upper Red begin at the U.S. Forest Service Big Branch put-in located just off KY 746 (do not use the KY 746 bridge as your put-in). You should scout all rapids on the upper Red to determine the best route and detect in-stream obstructions which paddlers call “strainers.” Cliffs rising from the bank along with huge boulders can make portaging around many rapids difficult.

Ice storms over the last several winters snapped off many trees in the Red River Gorge. These trees flush into the Red River with each flood, creating strainers. You don’t want to encounter a strainer blocking your route as you fly through one the upper Red’s fast rapids.

Whitewater kayaks are the best boats for floating the upper Red as canoes must be equipped with extra floatation and only experts should pilot them. Helmets and personal floatation devices must be worn. Helmets protect the paddler from the many overhanging rocks and ledges along this stretch.

The first few miles offer fairly gentle Class I rapids, until you reach the mouth of Stillwater Creek. The Red then drops into a Class II rapid called Stillwater Falls by some paddlers. The river picks up speed as the stream begins its fall off the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau and into the downward cut that made Red River Gorge. This rapid holds some huge boulders and requires quick maneuvering, especially at lower water levels.

The next major rapid in the float is a river-wide ledge referred to as the Falls of the Red, sometimes called Calaboose Falls. Run this ledge either far left or far right at low-to-moderate water. The middle may be best at higher flows.

The river again flows fairly gently for a time until the Red cuts around a right-hand bend at the eastern boundary of the Clifty Wilderness area near the mouth of Peck Branch. The first rapid you encounter, known as Entrance Rapid, marks the beginning of the Narrows of the Red, a long stretch of challenging Class II to III+ (depending on water levels) whitewater.

Entrance Rapid is a series of drops requiring quick maneuvering around mid-stream boulders. Move toward a large boulder on the left (looking downstream) to negotiate the drop at the end of this rapid. Gather your nerves and take a breather as the next rapid, the Dog Drowning Hole, lies just a short distance downstream. You must scout this rapid on your right (looking downstream). Dog Drowning Hole is a large churning, turbulent chute that can fool the paddler at low flows and buffet your boat with cross currents at high water.

The third, and last, rapid of the Narrows begins after the river seems to disappear around a bend to the right. Run this rapid center right and avoid the undercut bank downstream. The rest of the upper Red contains some Class II rapids until the take-out at the KY 715 bridge.

The U.S. Geological Survey’s stream gauge at Hazel Green should read at least 200 cubic feet per second for the best floating on the upper Red. For current readings, log onto http://www.waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis and click on the “real time data” tab and then Kentucky. You can float this section at much lower water levels, but you may have to walk your boat through extended reaches of water.

The 10.5-mile stretch of the middle Red River begins at the put-in at the KY 715 bridge and concludes at the old ford across the river at the mouth of Schoolhouse Branch. Boaters may take out at the KY 77 bridge to make this an 8-mile float or continue on for two more miles to a take-out at the old ford below the mouth of Schoolhouse Branch on the right (looking downstream, access via Forest Service Road 23). Paddlers may also make the two-mile float from the KY 77 bridge to the same take-out below Schoolhouse Branch. This float is ideal for a summer evening or families with younger children.

The middle Red is easy floating with some sharp turns, boulder gardens and mild riffles as the stream flows through the heart of the Red River Gorge National Geological Area. The scenery is stunning.

The Blue Water Trails series supports Gov. Steve Beshear’s Adventure Tourism Initiative. Log on to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Blue Water Trails webpage at fw.ky.gov for a detailed map.

Red River Adventures: (606) 663-1012

Red River Outdoors: (859) 230-3567

Heaton Will Not Seek Second Term

2010-07-14T10:17:00.002-04:00

By Frank Johnson | The Kentucky Standard

Bardstown Mayor Dick Heaton announced his intention not to run for re-election in the fall at the close of Tuesday's city council meeting, pointing to ongoing complications from his radiation treatment for throat cancer.

Heaton, who is finishing up his first term in office, said he had enjoyed his tenure as mayor, but he faced a lot of uncertainty in the future as regards his health. He also said the job of mayor is a time consuming one and stepping aside would allow him more time to spend with his family and business.

"It's not a decision I am necessarily happy to make ... but I think it is the best decision at this time," Heaton said.

Heaton told the council that the radiation treatment had caused a new condition in his mouth that only allows him to open his jaw about a third of the way. Surgery will be required to help alleviate the problem and he said it's possible he may need further surgery after that.

"If my treatment had gone as planned, this wouldn't have happened," he said.

Heaton previously served two terms as a city councilman before entered the race for mayor four years ago. He won a three-way election against incumbent Dixie Hibbs and challenger Steven Wimsatt.

John Thomas' Pigeon Trip

2010-07-03T14:53:00.000-04:00

The whole Thomas Group, Uncle Pat, Tim, Bo and Spalding were at the the Cosby Campground in Tennessee this weekend to paddle the Dirty Bird (Pigeon River). The trip was to honor John and his soon to be married self.

We all rolled in on Friday to camp and paddle on Saturday. We made two runs down the class III Pigeon on release day with one kayaker, raft, duckie and a Shredder.

The Pigeon was very busy with commercial rafters and it was mayhem at the put-in both times. Traffic was heavy on the river most of the time, but still not as bad as the Ocoee.

Jay cooked up a real nice meal for everyone back at camp after a very fun day on the water.

Wenonah Spirit II – New Club Boat

2010-06-25T15:14:00.002-04:00

Jay Thomas our esteemed club treasurer has just brought home our new club canoe, a Wenonah Spirit II.

Just purchased a very slightly-used Wenonah Spirit II 17-foot long canoe for $800, retail new for $1,400. Beautiful boat, very light at only 69 lbs, and a good all-around canoe. Capable of handling gear and trash, and can handle some rapids.

Some Whitewater Park News In The Kentucky Standard Today

2010-06-25T09:50:00.005-04:00

Engineering and preconstruction costs for the Bloomfield and Pottershop Road force mains is estimated to be $50,000 for the new fiscal year; the Corps of Engineers raw water study is estimated to be $27,000; and the Beech Fork/Rubble Dam study is estimated at $10,000. Erosion at the dam is the main problem, Heaton said. As for recreation opportunities on the Beech Fork, that won’t be possible without a grant, he said.

This was discussed at the last meeting between the Bardstown Boaters and the City of Bardstown, so no surprises there.

Read the whole article from the Kentucky Standard here.

PPU Thank You

2010-06-09T09:29:00.003-04:00

The Kentucky Standard
110 W. Stephen Foster
Bardstown, KY 40004

Dear Editor,

On behalf of the members of the Bardstown Boaters I would like to thank everyone who participated in the sixth annual Paddle Pickup. The local rain shower on Friday provided just enough “bump” in the river’s water level to provide perfect conditions for volunteers to canoe and remove trash from six and a half miles of the Beech Fork River.Once again the success of the event rested on the hard work of the volunteers and the generosity of the sponsors.

Special thanks to Judge Executive Dean Watts, Central KY Canoe and Kayak, Horizon Hoppers, Quest Outdoors of Louisville, WBRT, and PLG TV for their ongoing support of the event. We were fortunate to welcome two local Boy Scouts Troops as they once again completed their civic duties by helping to remove nearly a ton of garbage from the waterway. We greatly appreciate the help from our newest supporters, the Nelson County 4-H Sport Fishing Club and Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE).

Photos and video of the event can be found online at www.BardstownBoaters.com. Feel free to share any thoughts or questions with us in the forum located on the website.

Sincerely,
Jay Thomas

Video from 2010 PPU

2010-06-09T09:06:00.001-04:00

Bear Creek

2010-05-30T20:40:00.002-04:00

This creek has great potential for a whitewater run here in Nelson County. Access points cover the entire run at Manton Rd., Pottershop Rd., and after it runs into the Beech Fork at Hwy 49.

At Manton Rd. you can spot a large ledge drop, from the road you can't see the bottom so right now the height is unknown.

At Pottershop Rd. there looks to be multiple whitewater features when the water level is up.

This creeks needs to be walked to know for sure, but from road scouting it looks good.

Riverrestoration.org Designed Park a Success

2010-05-30T14:48:00.000-04:00

Glenwood whitewater park brings paddling legitimacy, tourism dollars

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — Ever since the Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park’s opening in the spring of 2008, the park and the town have become a second home for whitewater sports enthusiasts.

The park has brought events such as the May 2009 U.S. Kayak Freestyle Team Trials and next Monday’s stand-up paddling championship. Kate Collins, former Vice President of Tourism Marketing for the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association, said those events help bring tourism dollars to the city.

“It’s increased interest in a time of year when there is not a lot of tourism,” Collins said. “I understand the number of competitors [in the stand-up paddling event] is small, but people are coming even from Hawaii.”

Collins also said that since the whitewater park opened, the city has emerged as a worldwide destination for whitewater events. Stand-up paddling championship coordinator Paul Tefft agrees.

“As event coordinator, we wanted to choose a venue that is known for whitewater,” he said. “The Colorado River is great.”

One thing that sets the Glenwood venue apart, according to the website glenwoodwhitewaterevents.com, is that the water flows of the Colorado River are higher for longer than most other places in the United States. This allows events to take place in “shoulder seasons,” before or after regular whitewater seasons.

Aspen Kayak Academy owner Charlie MacArthur said that, since the whitewater park was built, things have changed.

“It’s changed dramatically,” he said. “I think it adds to the legitimacy of how amazing Glenwood and the whole valley is. The strength is that it can host so many different events, so it’s pretty cool.”

MacArthur added that the park brings people in and that helps the city and tourism.

“It helps [businesses] a lot,” MacArthur said. “They hit breweries, restaurants, and you have all the shops. They have access to all that Glenwood has to offer, and they spend.”

He said events like the stand-up paddling championship are here to stay.

“At this point, I don’t know how it would go anywhere else,” he said. “It’s in our backyard, and I don’t think anywhere else has this nice of a venue.”

This is the first competition that will benefit from the $430,000 in bank improvements recently completed at the whitewater park. Improvements include observation bleachers and decks for spectators on both the north and south riverbanks, and a specific take out for paddlers to the west of the Midland Avenue Bridge. Gould Construction completed the improvement work, while Aspen-based Dunnett Design Group designed the park.

The wave feature was designed by Jason Carey and was constructed by his company, Riverrestoration.org.

Buena Vista Whitewater Park Grows In Popularity

2010-05-24T08:57:00.001-04:00

Reporting
Doug Whitehead

BUENA VISTA, Colo. (CBS4) ― As the snow begins to melt high in the Colorado mountains, rafters and kayakers are gearing up.

Whitewater parks are growing in popularity around the state and kayakers around the world are discovering one of the newer parks — the Buena Vista Whitewater Park on the Arkansas River.

"A big part of why I’m here is because this whitewater park is so good,” kayaker Dustin Urban said. Urban is a world champion boater. As a professional, he’s been kayaking all over the world. Today he calls the Buena Vista Whitewater Park home. “It’s just getting better every year,” he said.

For years the stretch of the Arkansas River known as the Buena Vista River Park has been a popular corridor for anglers and commercial rafting companies.

“This section of river used to be pretty hazardous, it had a lot of big rocks where boaters and fishermen and rafters could get stuck on,” said Earl Richmond, a promoter for the whitewater park. In recent years, hazards have been removed, channels developed, and features added, creating a world class whitewater park, and the park has already grown. “We now have about another quarter mile of river features that include bank-side improvements and public access improvements, and also about three more kayaking features for all the paddlers to enjoy,” Richmond said.

Local boaters in the Upper Arkansas River Valley believe that the Buena Vista Whitewater Park, at more than 1 1/2 mile in length, is the longest park of its kind in the state. “So this is really a dream come true that I can grab my boat and come down here on a lunch break or after work,” Andre Spino-Smith said. “What’s so amazing about this for me is I live and work about a half block away in the South Main neighborhood.”

The South Main neighborhood is one of the newest developments in the historic town of Buena Vista. New homes, new businesses, and a new restaurant are all just a stone’s throw to the Arkansas River and the whitewater park below.

“This river, stretch of river up here, is much higher gradient. It’s moving faster and so that presents opportunities and challenges,” said whitewater park designer Mike Harvey said.

Many of the whitewater parks around the world that Harvey has helped design have been in urban settings. This was a bit different. “Here we really started with a relatively natural stretch of river and one of our design goals was to preserve that character,” Harvey said.

Story on the Green River Drowning During the Past Flood

2010-05-08T21:13:00.005-04:00

By BOB WHITE

bwhite@thenewsenterprise.com

Had their plans worked out, two good friends would have, today, been recovering after a weeklong paddling excursion through Mammoth Cave National Park on Green River.

Dangerous and powerful floodwater and unpredictable river debris, however, resulted Monday afternoon in both their kayaks being consumed by the Green River.

Gary Tyler, a relatively experienced 56-year-old paddler from Elizabethtown, managed to save himself by latching on to a log jam, then phoning for help.

On Friday, after a grueling five-day search, it was learned that Bobby Atcher, a novice 55-year-old kayaker from Radcliff, had drowned beneath a field of woody river debris swept up against an island head.

It was the end to, as Atcher’s wife, Debbie puts it, “his last adventure.”

That adventurous kayak and camping trip that Atcher and Tyler planned weeks before rains fell Derby weekend, was something that excited Atcher.

It was right up an outdoorsman’s alley.

Atcher was an outdoorsman.

Atcher’s sister, Ronda Wood - just a year younger - grew up riding horses, fishing and roughhousing with her brother.

He’d been crippled at 3, when a car crushed his little legs, but Wood said he never let his limp bring him down, or impact his abilities to go out and conquer the great outdoors.

Atcher helped Wood run City Pawn in Radcliff for a couple years prior to taking a maintenance job at Stithton Baptist Church, where he continued to work until this past week’s tragedy.

It was during his time away from work, that Atcher’s soul shined brightest of all. He served with the Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief group and Esther’s Closet – a clothing distribution center at Stithton Baptist Church.

Giving of himself, Atcher had gone on a mission trip to Alaska to build homes for the indigent a few years ago. Being an outdoorsman, he snuck in some panning for gold, fishing and exploration while he was there.

Regularly, Wood said her brother would hunt, fish and search for arrowheads in the wilderness with his buddies.

By all accounts, the wilderness was Atcher’s home away from home.

“He loved that kind of thing,” Wood said.

Two friends plan a trip

Tyler’s wife, Becky, said its that love of the outdoors that nurtured Atcher and her husband’s friendship that spanned back to 1978.

It was through Tyler, an RV tech at Phelps Dodge, from whom Atcher learned the ropes of paddling.

He enjoyed the sport so much, and the 10-foot boat’s ability to take him deep into the woods, that Atcher recently bought a kayak of his own – a pretty blue one.

The trip he and Tyler had planned together was slated to put the new kayak to the test -taking them both, over the course of several days, more than 20 miles from a launch in Munfordville to the interior of Mammoth Cave National Park.

Once inside the park, they’d have the unique chance to paddle directly into a riverside cave that’s accessible by small paddle boats when the water’s up enough.

The water was definitely up…

Rains Derby weekend delayed their planned weekend departure, but the sun shone brightly Monday morning, giving them the green flag to set out for their great big adventure.

Others witnessed the adventure begin

Atcher’s oldest daughter, Carrie, shuttled them to Munfordville, where, at about 1 p.m., they launched their kayaks onto the swollen passage that drains roughly one-third of Kentucky’s land.

Several people spoke with Atcher and Tyler before they set out. Some on the bank merely gawked at the river, then at the men and what they were trying to pull off. Some onlookers were aware of the risk, but Tyler and Atcher were grown men able to make their own decisions.

“None of us could have stopped him,” Debbie Atcher said. “I wouldn’t have taken that away from him.”

By noon Monday, rains caused the Green to spill well out of its banks, rising to 50-foot above flood stage and pushing so forcibly at 60,000 cubic feet per second that entire trees were swept downstream like toothpicks.

The river’s force was overwhelming, but Tyler’s wife said this wasn’t the first time the two had taken off on a challenging outdoor adventure.

“They’ve been through hell together,” she said.

Family members on both sides expressed gut feelings that the trip was too risky, but they knew that it was for this type of adventure that both men lived.

The Green, turned brown from stirred sediment, swept Tyler and Atcher briskly downstream. Their paddles steered them along as the powerful flow provided all the propulsion any paddler could ever need.

It didn’t take long for trouble to surface.

Two hours and 4.5 miles into the trip, the pair was thrust into a woody debris field at the head of an island – a literal dead end.

Overturned and smashed into a log jam, Tyler clawed on top of it and clung to a tree.

Atcher, who from behind saw the trouble Tyler was in, knew what was coming.

Some say Tyler last saw Atcher praying with his eyes closed and heading into disaster.

He’d never again see his friend alive.

From atop the debris field, Tyler called for help using a cell phone that had been stowed away in a Zip-Loc baggy.

According to Hart County Emergency Management director Kerry McDaniels, Tyler was in grave danger when rescuers arrived.

“He was in the middle of the river holding onto a log,” McDaniels said. “Luckily, we had a well-trained swift-water rescuer team able to get a boat over the fast water and to him.”

Despite a search lasting into the dark, there was no sign of Atcher on Monday.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday passed, with each day remnants of the expedition being found.

All the items found – camping gear, coolers, Atcher’s boat and life-jacket – were concentrated at a single log jam within 75 yards of the spot where both paddlers got into trouble.

Due to that, McDaniels said volunteers from 10 different agencies focused their search for Atcher in that same area.

When a cadaver dog with a Jefferson County search team “hit” on that same location late on Thursday, it confirmed searchers’ suspicions that Atcher was beneath the debris field.

While searchers had a clue to Atcher’s whereabouts, the high water made recovery almost impossible for several days.

Then late Thursday and early Friday, the water dropped almost 20 feet, like some sort of other worldly occurrence.

“That’s faster than what it should have dropped,” Atcher’s wife, Debbie said. “We’d been holding out for a miracle and that was the one God gave us.”

A grueling five-day search ended Friday morning, when searchers returned to find the kayaker beneath the woody debris.

McDaniels said the dropping water level made all the difference in the search for Atcher.

It wasn’t the miracle family had been hoping for, but Atcher’s wife said finding him after five days was still a blessing.

Atcher, Wood and McDaniels each credited the many volunteers for the week-long search and recovery.

Search and Rescue teams from Radcliff, Louisville, Munfordville, Hart County, Metcalfe County, Barren County, Kentucky’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and others put themselves and their gear at risk to search the floodwaters.

The gave of themselves, their own financial resources and sacrificed time with their own families to help provide another family some closure.

Atcher and Wood said they’re grateful to have been so lucky to have such a wonderful crew of volunteers assist in the search.

“Central Kentucky has the best volunteers around,” McDaniels said.

Atcher’s wife said the mission to find her husband was the type of search he would have jumped right into, donating his time and personal resources too, for the benefit of others.

Atcher's being put to rest on Tuesday.

Nelson-Edelen-Bennett Funeral Home in Radcliff is in charge of Atcher’s final arrangements. Visitation will be held there Monday, then at Stithton Baptist Church Tuesday, from noon until the time of his funeral service.

Atcher asks that people touched by her husband’s story remember the many different volunteer groups, from those her husband supported to those who helped recover him from the river this past week, and donate to those groups whenever possible.

Since Kentucky law prohibits volunteer search and rescue groups from charging for their services, McDaniels also emphasized the importance of donations for their support and operations, such as this week’s search for Atcher.

Last week was a deadly one.

Atcher’s death was one of several across the state this past week attributable to flooding, according to Kentucky’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

Spalding Hurst, a whitewater paddler familiar with the Class 1 Green River and other Kentucky streams, said rivers that seem peaceful can become deadly with a little rain.

“The river’s speed and power increase tremendously as the flow increases, raising its difficulty,” Hurst said. “Brush, fallen trees, bridge pilings, undercut rocks or anything else which allows river current to sweep through can pin boats and boaters against the obstacle. Water pressure on anything trapped this way can be overwhelming.”

Even experienced whitewater paddlers must consider the many factors of paddling any stream, even when they’re equipped properly.

“If your inexperienced and don’t have proper equipment — don't even think about it,” Hurst said.

Reporter Bob White can be reached at (270) 505-1750.

Red Cross Support for Nelson County Flood Victims

2010-05-07T12:55:00.004-04:00

Nelson County was hard hit in the recent flooding. Please see the below for how you can help.

I have spoken with some families and Red Cross. At this point we have families in the Boston Community that will need household items, but they are looking for a house to move into. However, some of our school families are in need of cleaning supplies and trash bags.

Items needed for all flood victims:

Bottled water
Snacks
Trash bags
Face masks
Cleaning gloves
Food for a week or two

For more information or to make a donation, please call Red Cross at (502) 348-1893

Downtown New Haven Under Water

2010-05-03T14:29:00.003-04:00

The swollen Rolling Fork River is expected to crest sometime tomorrow

New Haven, Ky. — Rains over the weekend have swollen the Rolling Fork River reaking havoc on downtown New Haven and surrounding areas in Nelson County.

Downtown New Haven is closed and seven businesses have been evacuated. Fire Chief Freddy Dewitt says that the worst is yet to come. They expect the water to continue to rise over the next 12 to 24 hours and the hold for 12 hours before receding.

Around 15 residences and two apartment complexes have had their access roads covered in water yesterday but are passable today. Residents are warned to stay out of the water if possible, if you have to enter the water make sure you don't have any open wounds or cuts because the water is not clean.

From: 84WHAS | More photos