Swepco Park

[Victor Caballeros]

I wanted to let everyone know the Swepco plan has been shot down due to federal regulation and safety concerns. I even tried to talk him into a surf wave at the end of the channel for play boating. But Swepco can’t even let people in that far to do that. Thanks to all for your support and help with this plan sorry it couldn’t be reality for us. We are not giving up yet

[Cowper]

...plan has been shot down due to federal regulation and safety concerns....
We are not giving up yet

That's the spirit!

I figure if folks can figure out how to climb 3000 foot rock faces (Yosimite), base jump from the New River Bridge, and navigate huge rapids in a wilderness environment (Grand Canyon and others), all on federally controlled properties, then there's probably a way to navigate the safety concerns on a Class II/III park and play. (no pun intended)

Sometimes it's about timing; sometimes it's about dealing with the perceptions or concerns of a single individual (hey, sometimes people change jobs), or some combination of concerns. The one thing that is certain is that if everyone gives up, it will never happen.

The other hand is that if you hammer too hard at the wrong time, you may only drive a wedge between yourself and the very people whose minds you need to change. So I don't want to get you all fired up to run do something specific right now; I just wanted you to know that I agree with your closing statement: Don't give up just because of the current set-backs, unless it is because you find an even better project that is more deserving of your time.

[Ben Rodda]

I got an email a little while ago from Risa Shimoda, she works with McLaughlin, here is what she said:

Hi Ben,

This looks awesome. If you’ve not been already advised by other designers, gimme a holler for we’ve worked on warm water outflows before. I’m sure we can help out.

Cheers,

Risa

I think that we may want to give them a call. Additionally a precident has been set of having a whitewater park built in a coal plant outflow so somehow I feel like this can work.

Victor I will forward the email to you.

Ben

[FarPastGone]

Ben was the place below the coal plant pre or post Patriot Act?

You know how those terrorists are itching to strike the SWEPCO plant in NW Arkansas.

Damn government befuddling (sp?) kayakers with one more thing. This is why Mexican Creek in Texas is now illegal to run, for the most part.

-Matt

[unicorn]

Victor, did he cite a specific regulation?

[Victor Caballeros]

He told me that everyone was to be 300ft from the intake and output. He never said what regulation.

[A Savage spanke]

tell him to move his power plant 300 ft up stream

[RandyJ]

Some of you are familiar w/ the artificial course out in Dickerson, MD. Great project...check it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dickerson_ ... ter_Course

Plenty of differences between Gentry and Dickerson, but some similarities, as well. Progress has already been made...we have our first "no" out of the way!

What do you think is a logical next step? Get some support from City Hall? Escalate it up higher in the management chain at SWEPCO? Other?

[Regud]

I would suggest that we get in touch with someone at the city in Gentry. I think if we take a good proposal to the city and get them to back the idea, it would make getting a meeting with SWEPCO a little easier.

[RandyJ]

By the way, check out the put-in in relation to power plant discharge at Dickerson...WAY under 300 feet. Shoot, the posted limit at the Tulsa low-water dam is 100' - maybe 150' - and that thing is a killer.

[Ben Rodda]

"Progress has already been made...we have our first "no" out of the way!"

I absolutely love that quote.

So what is next?

Ben

[painterbob]

came across a place to take a look at! ...in Alma behind the aquatic park.... I'm painting the new water treatment plant . found there water discharge from the Alma lake .it pours off into a small creek. i was talking with JAY, the head guy for the water dept. and I said, you think the city would be open to the idea of letting the canoe club help repair the stream banks...( someone, the city crews had laid black plastic down and put river rocks on top) trying to stop bank erosion problems)... so we could make a, "play spot" or 10 to add to the park setting?... he called the mayor and in just a few seconds the window of opportunity is there! the great news is all the heavy equipment is already on site, the water is there ! is there any interest in coming up with a plan for a project???? .........go look at it.. it's off old 71, at the first light north of us 40. turn right go about 4 blocks. on left all the way in the back by the new waterslide.

[Regud]

Way to go Bob!

[FarPastGone]

Very cool Bob!

Do you have a guesstimation on flow, channel width, and possibly depth?

- Matt

[Sir Kayakalot]

I just pee'd my pants!! The thought of a playspot
that close to home, oh baby, keep talkin' folks!!!
I just can't imagine enough volume of water except
during big-time heavy rain events because of the
small watershed, but what do I know? I'm excited
to see where this could go, just to know that powers-
in-charge could be receptive to the idea is very
encouraging. Painterbob, you da man.

Tommy