Falls Whitewater Park

Stewart Engineering
McLaughlin Whitewater Engineeering

Stewart Engineering, in conjunction with McLaughlin Whitewater Engineering, is preparing a conceptual plan for an approximately 600 foot long course beneath the tail race of Falls Lake Dam. Once the concept plan has been finalized, plan elements will be prioritized and 30% level construction drawings will be created. At this point, there is not funding for the construction of the park, only for the feasibility study.

Advising the design team on the project is a 17-person Steering Committee made up of representatives from the paddling community, adjacent homeowners, City of Raleigh staff, US Army Corps of Engineers, the Neuse River Organization, and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Planning Phase

In October 2003, City of Raleigh residents approved a Parks and Recreation Bond that included funding for the design of a whitewater park in the vicinity of Falls Lake Dam. The objective of this project is to determine the feasibility of developing a whitewater course that will allow for the use of the area as a whitewater park during low flow periods as well as protecting the opportunity for continued use of the area during the less frequent, high-release days.

Over the course of the approximately nine month design period, the City of Raleigh will convene three public meetings related to the proposed whitewater park. The first meeting was held on January 19, 2010 and was attended by over 50 people. The second public meeting was held on July 14, 2010 and was also attended by more than 50 people.

In addition to the public meetings, City of Raleigh staff and the design team also held a small group meeting with River Mill Condominium residents on March 2, 2010 to discuss the project and receive comments.

Design Development Stage: July through October 2010
Community Meeting #3: November 3, 2010
Complete Design Development Drawings: November 2010
Present to the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board: November 2010
Concept Plan & Feasibility Study Presentataion and Public Comment at PRGAB: March 2011