In the July 1 Herald story, “How Dangerous is the Whitewater Park?” It seems to me that Michael Black had some unfounded comments. Some of Durango’s best and foremost river runners had things to say in the comments. Black has used unfounded words such as weirs, dams, keeper holes and even stooped to the lowest: death. Smelter Rapid was – and still is – a man-made rapid. From the early days when Durango was settled, residents have modified the river’s course.
The rapid in the early days was filled with many hazards: old cars, jagged rocks, concrete, all man-made. Smelter was regarded as a hazard within the river community. A Smelter swim might get you killed, but more likely, a few stitches or bruises. Over the years, the city has put money into rearranging rocks and removing debris, making it a safer place.
There is a lot of experience in this town, world-class athletes, longtime guides with 30-plus years’ experience, a ton of recreational river runners. The Animas River is an asset that a large number of our citizens and visitors enjoy. Our river brings tax revenue to the city and its local businesses. The modification of this rapid has extended the season far beyond the old days.
The old Smelter Rapid was a haphazard flow of current around a bend with a ton of misplaced rocks and pour-overs. It’s a rapid now. It’s big, fun and has a lot of features that include large standing waves and holes. Yes, at high flows, the odds of flipping are much higher. Yes, the boatman must know his line to properly navigate this rapid. Yes, a swimmer here is highly likely. Yes, this rapid is now truly a rapid of greatness and full of big, crashing water. I, for one, feel the investment in this rapid is valuable and merited. I also support any future allocations of money toward river improvements and modifications.
The Whitewater Park is a huge improvement to our community. Thank you to the city of Durango.
Don Bendell, Jr.
Durango
