EAGLE VISITOR’S CENTER BOAT LAUNCH

S2o designed river access/boat ramp
ADA river access ramp provides increased opportunities for river users
Bankside restoration at the Eagle River boat ramp

Eagle, Colorado

The Town of Eagle Visitors Center Boat Launch was constructed in the fall of 2015 to provided an alternative put-in/take-out to an existing boat launch downstream. The Eagle Visitors Center Boat Launch allows users to exit the river before a difficult Class IV rapid. S2o provided conceptual design, construction documents, and construction oversight for the Town of Eagle.

The project created an improved concrete boat launch at an existing unimproved takeout that enhanced ingress/egress through the creation of eddies and tie-off boulders for boat holding. The project also protected the designed improvements from erosion by guiding flows away from the river bank using boulder weirs. The design also excavated and hauled-off native bank and channel materials from the site to create a self-maintaining, sheltered cove. Prior to the completion of the project, all disturbed areas were reclaimed with biodegradable erosion control blanket and native turf grasses.

Project Highlights

  • Installed one 10 ft x 60 ft cast-in-place concrete boat launch.
  • Installed two Bendway Weirs.
  • Improved visibility of the boat launch from the river by removing overgrown riparian vegetation.
  • Enhanced aesthetics and use of the site by reclaiming disturbed banks with foot friendly grasses which simultaneously prevented erosion.
  • Created a space for the community and visitors to observe and interact with the Eagle River.
  • Value engineered the project to meet the pre-established budget outlined by the Town and GOCO.