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On Rockford dam hinges paddlers' plans by Sigrid Pilgrim Nearly 100 paddlers attended the Illinois Paddling Council's season-ending paddle on the Rock River on October 29, 2006, in support of the proposed whitewater park in Rockford. (See article in the March 2006 issue.) Further development of the whitewater park now hinges on the results of a study of the structural condition of the Fordham Dam on the Rock River as well as the results of an environmental impact study. To that effect, the city of Rockford hired an engineering firm and OK'd the $187,000 study. As of February 7, the engineering consultant was working with Common-wealth Edison to inspect the dam. Rockford public works officials said the dam's flood control gates will have to be opened in order for inspectors to assess the structural integrity of the dam. Opening the gates will lower the river level several feet. As of press time, the timing of the drawdown has not yet been set. The whitewater park project attracted considerable media attention last year. Subsequently, Rockford officials heard from paddlers, residents and other elected officials about the costs and benefits. Members of the paddling community are still encouraged to send letters, e-mails, faxes and make calls to the city expressing support for the project. Even with sufficient backing from the public, a whitewater park in Rockford will be a long-time coming. For example, after 17 years of planning, fund-raising and development, Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI), a whitewater park in McHenry, Maryland, is finally set to open this spring. ASCI will host the second annual Whitewater Courses and Parks Conference on April 18-20. Details can be found at www.whitewatercoursesandparks2007.com. Sigrid Pilgrim is president of the Illinois Paddling Council. For more information, including who to contact about the Rockford
whitewater park project, go to www.chicagowhitewater.org/cwa/rockford.asp.
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