Augusta whitewater park: Will $20.3M plan float or sink?

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A preliminary study finds creating a whitewater park fed by the Augusta Canal could attract a wide range of people, but for a cost: $20.3 million.

Prepared by S₂O consultants and commissioned by the Augusta Canal Authority, the study proposes a whitewater park in the area of 1568 Broad St.

It’s a parking lot owned by the city right now for old government vehicles, but could bring in more excitement for the Garden City.

“Augusta has nothing like this,” says Vice Chair of the Canal Authority, Russ Gambill. “To find a recreational facility like this, you’d have to travel to Charlotte, N.C.”

It’s an idea first proposed back in 2010 , a study now has this project on paper saying that water can be moved from the canal through this proposed water park.

It’s an idea that’s also ed partially by Destination Augusta’s 10 to 15-year plan, “Blueprint Augusta”. The group donated a few thousand dollars to help fund the Canal Authority’s study, but was mostly funded by the Canal Authority.

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“Outdoor adventure is something that draws visitors in and they’re looking for those unique experiences and the canal is certainly something very unique to Augusta,” said Vice President of Destination Development & Community Engagement, Jennifer Bowen.

One issue we checked in with Gambill is the Army Corps of Engineer’s potential plan to remove the lock and dam downstream.

A circuit court appeal says it’s within their power to potentially remove the dam to let fish migrate upstream.

“It wouldn’t affect us, wouldn’t affect us at all,” said Gambill.

Regardless, funding is the next big task to complete.

The canal authority will soon look to Augusta Commission’s SPLOST 9 budget and see if there’s any money left to spare.

“This is a great project for Augusta and we want to see it come to fruition,” said Gambill.

If everything falls in line perfectly, there could be something in about five years starting up.

“Once built to provide recreation for top-level kayakers in powerful rivers, whitewater parks have evolved to include features that are friendly for all levels of s,” the report states.

“This Augusta Canal whitewater park would serve to expand the historically centered outdoor recreation culture that already exists in the immediate vicinity,” consultants said in the report. “Alongside the boating, fishing, hiking, and biking opportunities currently available, this project would provide an exciting recreational destination for locals and tourists alike to enjoy the beautiful Augusta Canal.”

The S₂O report says many whitewater parks in the U.S. “have often exceeded expectations by becoming focal points for their communities and recreational destinations for outdoor tourism,” the report states.

In addition to a whitewater park, the city and authority may consider other features like improved canoe/kayak launch locations, a riverwalk and a “lazy river” along the third level of the canal.

“Whitewater parks often host major events centered on slalom or freestyle competitions or host river festivals that feature local arts and culture. In addition, whitewater parks have a positive economic impact on the local community, as visitors spend money at local restaurants, lodging, and retail establishments,” the report states.

Authority and consultants visited multiple sites along the canal to find the ideal location.

A DIFFERENT PLAN:

• This proposal is different and separate from a Savannah Riverkeeper dream revealed in 2021 to create a so-called Convergence Park at the site of the river’s crumbling lock and dam – although the Riverkeeper idea also calls for a whitewater feature.

They settled on a location next to the first level of the canal on land now being used as a lot for county vehicles.

In many ways, the park would have features of an in-stream whitewater park that uses a natural water flow and obstacles to create challenges. It would also share some qualities with so-called pumped parks that recirculate water in a more closed system.

“The channel will be constructed, similar to a pumped park, but will be adjacent to the canal and able to be gravity run without pumps, similar to an in-stream park,” the report states.

The project would be fed by water through sluice gates on level one of the canal system. Flows would then wind their way through a concrete channel that would be the primary attraction for kayakers and rafters. This canal would discharge into the existing channel at the bottom pond.

READ THE REPORT:

The park would be expected to attract:

• Stand-up paddlers, body boarders and surfers.
• Beginner kayakers.
• Intermediate and advanced kayakers (at higher flows, with selected whitewater structures).
• Spectators who will visit the park to watch paddlers or simply spend time beside the canal.
• Disabled s utilizing physical rehabilitation opportunities.
• Underserved youths participating in Outward Bound activities.
• Commercial rafters.
• Swiftwater rescue training squads.

Among the possible red flags the consultants looked for:

• According to data obtained from the National of Historic Places, the proposed project site does not have any designated historical structures or districts outside of the Canal’s historic designation.
• According to United States Fish and Wildlife Service maps available online, there are no critical habitats for species listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act that are located within or nearby the project area
• According to data obtained through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, there are two mussel species designated as endangered by the state in the same area as the proposed site. But because this is a redevelopment of an existing developed site, it’s unlikely to encounter these species.

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