There are many obstacles to be overcome before this project can become a reality, the most obvious being funding. According to the City's Bureau of Planning, the idea enjoyed a warm reception before larger projects, such as the soccer stadium and the Port of Rochester, overshadowed it. In addition, water rights must be insured in order to guarantee sufficient flow during the summer months, when competitions would be held and most of the instruction and recreational use would take place. RG&E has water rights to 2,000 cfs. in order to produce power at the Court St. dam. However, they are required to pass 125 cfs. in order to "re-water" the riverbed below the dam. In addition, the City diverts 50 cfs. through the Johnson and Seymour Raceway for the cooling system of the library. This would require a modification of the raceway, which may be complicated by the murky status of the building as a protected historical structure. The course would utilize these two sources to maintain a minimum flow of 175 cfs. For competition, the City would purchase additional water from RG&E in order to boost flow to 600 cfs. At times of higher water, Anderson concluded that the most efficient system would be an inverted "V" (sort of the shape of a pup tent placed lengthwise across the inlet) that would be able to move up or down one foot in order to control flow.
Anderson intends the course to be difficult enough to hold national or international competition but also safe for beginners. This could be achieved by constructing two different sections or by alternating flow. It seems that Anderson intends to use a combination of the two options, having two or three more spectacular rapids and also increasing flow for competition or other specialized uses. The course itself would be 311 meters in length, with a fall of 13-15 ft. The gradient is at the low end of the spectrum for international competition, but Anderson concludes that it would be sufficient. An artificial riverbed would be constructed out of concrete, as it would be safer and more durable. The banks would be made from 18" to 36" rounded rocks from a quarry in Avon, possible set into concrete. According to the report, "the channel will have one or more variable configuration water-filled bladders that will create hydraulics suitable for rodeo competition."
The report envisions a multitude of uses for the site other than kayaking. The most numerous category of users, he points out, are spectators. To that end, Anderson proposes building bleachers to accommodate 1,200 people, a concession stand and restaurant with plenty of outdoor seating with a good view of the course, bathrooms, changing areas (they heard about all of you immodest kayakers) and two bridges over the course to facilitate viewing. In addition, Anderson proposes that a flatwater venue could be constructed adjacent to the whitewater course so that the seating could also be used for the finish line of a regatta. The site could also be used to train fire and police departments in swiftwater rescue, as there are, at present, only two venues in the nation that perform this service. Finally, Anderson suggests that a vendor could rent rafts, duckies or even "boogie boards" to get the untrained into the water.
This would clearly be an extremely exciting opportunity for FLOW and any kayaker in the area. In addition, Anderson has found in several case studies that public investment in whitewater facilities have stimulated a private investment four times the size of the municipal contribution. This project is not outside the realm of possibility, even though the City does not consider it to be a priority at this time.
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