There will be construction in the Arkansas River starting on Monday August 22nd at the Scout Wave in Salida. This extensive improvement project is designed to create a better wave for surfing, safer eddies, and a tuber takeout with several new safety features. The excavation will take place on the river banks starting 8/22, and in the river starting 8/29.
With this sort of major project, the river has historically stayed open, however private boaters are advised to avoid the area. Commercial companies have been informed and advised of their options. Extreme caution is recommended during this time, as the area will be a construction zone.
There will be dewatering with alternating channelizing to allow for boats to still be able to pass through. However, there could potentially be closures in the river if that is deemed necessary by the construction crew. The temporary scarring will include tree work below the bridge in the river corridor, removing problematic, dead, and dying trees and shrubs. These trees will be replaced with select riparian plantings.
An alternate route for passing through the Scout Wave is to put in at Big Bend and take out at the Salida Boatramp or put in at Salida East and take out downriver.
The project is expected to be completed by October 1, 2022. For more information, email the Director of Parks and Recreation at diesel.post@cityofsalida.com.
