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The Eagle River flows under Bob's Bridge, where the town of Avon wants to build a whitewater park for kayakers.
AVON — Kayakers are one step closer to gliding around the gates and pulling off tricks at an Avon water park.
The Avon Town Council unanimously gave the go-ahead for town staff to try to securing the water right for a 1000-foot stretch on either side of Bob the Bridge.
“We’re just asking for the right to use it,” town engineer Norm Wood said. “We’re not moving the water anywhere. It would be a real junior water right.”
While having a water right is preferable, the town doesn’t need one to move forward with plans to build the park. Having a water right would simply help ensure the water is in the park’s section of the Eagle River.
“Even if we don’t have the water right, the water is already there,” Wood said. “The water right would just give us some protection for the future.”
As the town works on water rights, staff is also finishing plans for the park, which will include a concrete feature surrounded by river rocks to create a weir. Although allowing the use of grout in water parks is being debated, Wood said no one is taking issue with a concrete feature.
Town staff also has the task of getting the permission of about three or four property owners to use their half of the river. In many cases, Avon owns the north side of the river and bank, but others owners claim the south side.
“It’s been a very cooperative effort,” Wood said. “So far, they see the benefit too.”
Town leaders say a water park will lure more people into town.
Staff Writer Nicole Frey can be reached at 949-0555, ext. 14621, or nfrey@vaildaily.com.
Vail, Colorado
The Avon Town Council unanimously gave the go-ahead for town staff to try to securing the water right for a 1000-foot stretch on either side of Bob the Bridge.
“We’re just asking for the right to use it,” town engineer Norm Wood said. “We’re not moving the water anywhere. It would be a real junior water right.”
While having a water right is preferable, the town doesn’t need one to move forward with plans to build the park. Having a water right would simply help ensure the water is in the park’s section of the Eagle River.
“Even if we don’t have the water right, the water is already there,” Wood said. “The water right would just give us some protection for the future.”
As the town works on water rights, staff is also finishing plans for the park, which will include a concrete feature surrounded by river rocks to create a weir. Although allowing the use of grout in water parks is being debated, Wood said no one is taking issue with a concrete feature.
Town staff also has the task of getting the permission of about three or four property owners to use their half of the river. In many cases, Avon owns the north side of the river and bank, but others owners claim the south side.
“It’s been a very cooperative effort,” Wood said. “So far, they see the benefit too.”
Town leaders say a water park will lure more people into town.
Staff Writer Nicole Frey can be reached at 949-0555, ext. 14621, or nfrey@vaildaily.com.
Vail, Colorado
