POUDRE RIVER WHITEWATER PARK

Fort Collins, Colorado

The Poudre River Park was created with the idea of transforming an aging and abandoned diversion structure into a City Park that will attract local and regional visitors to play in and around the Poudre River. The park was created after extended studies by the City of Fort Collins to establish the feasibility of the park, and to locate the park in the most effective location possible.  S2O Design worked with experts and regulatory authorities to define a first-of-its-kind fish passage component to the whitewater park.

The park features two drop structures located within a new City Park and a number of flood control structures designed to protect the City from future flood events.  S2O Design worked with the City to define a facility that invites the whole community to the banks of the Poudre. S2O Design’s involvement including aiding in the creation of a master plan that includes property purchases and flood mitigation efforts that would provide for parking, access, restrooms and trail connectivity through the park.

The park includes two drop structures that function at a variety of flows from 75 cfs up to flows greater than 2000 cfs to create a tubing and float park at lower levels that transforms into a surf park at higher levels. The park provides for recreation in everything from paddleboarding, tubing, kayaking and rafting.