Neuse River: Raleigh, NC
ACCOMMODATING MANY INTERESTS WITH A UNIFIED DESIGN
Recreation, Natural Scenery, and Fish Passage – A planned whitewater park below the Army Corps of Engineers Falls of the Neuse Dam needs to satisfy competing uses: whitewater paddlers want high-quality rapids and high flows; landowners want a quiet riverfront and natural view; and resource agencies seeking to protect fish passage. McLaughlin Whitewater successfully united these divergent requirements in a single plan.
A Flexible Design that Shares the River – The natural flow of the Neuse is not adequate to provide reliable whitewater at the preferred site—an intimate side channel with good natural drop. The divided river however means divided flow and fewer boating days due to low water. The MWDG concept increases water flowing to the improved side channel while protecting the interests of landowners and preserving fish passage in the main river channel.
We’re hoping to draw people to the river, even if they’re not paddlers. The more people you get to come to the river, the more people you get to care about the river.The project will create:- Elizabeth Gardner, spokesperson and a meteorologist with WRAL-TV, as reported by the News Observer, 2/26/2010
- Three drops with play waves and holes, resting pools and eddies
- A variety of hydraulics which offer recreation, instruction and training
- Accessibility to users of all levels of skill, even at low flow
- ADA accessible kayak launch and take-out
The City is helping the dream of local boaters become a reality. Stakeholders approved the plan in 2010 that is being considered by the City Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board.
Services Provided (under sub-contract with Stewart Engineering) – Conceptual and Preliminary Design / Stakeholder Input
See the Falls of the Neuse website for project updates.
