Bend Parks to begin Whitewater Park modifications

The Bend Park and Recreation District is about proceed with winter work modifications to improve safety and performance in the whitewater and passageway channels at the Bend Whitewater Park.

Beginning Monday , river access will be closed at 8 a.m. due to construction activity.

The winter work will include modifications in the whitewater channel to improve wave features and safety within the whitewater channel. Work will include:

· Raising the pool elevations above the lower two features by raising the shoulders of the drops,

· Grouting in the shoulders to eliminate entrapment hazards, and

· Shallowing the pool below the upper most wave by installing a concrete “floor” below the wave to help stabilize the wave.

Work in the passageway channel will help direct water through the center of the channel by installing boulders to decrease the risk of dropping over the shoulders and flipping floaters, and inspect for entrapment hazards.

In an upstream area of the river, a floating buoy will be installed near the portage area to allow for additional river signage and to protect the riparian area on river-left.

The park board approved the work to be completed by Hamilton Construction Company. Funding comes from the project’s original funding allocation, remaining bond funds from the Farewell Bend Bridge project and property tax revenues.

The board authorized a $674,050 contract (plus 5 percent contingency) with Hamilton Construction Co., spokeswoman Julie Brown said. That brings the total spent on the voter-approved project to just under $10.4 million, including about $1.034 million contributed by the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance.