WATERWAY AND LOCATION: The project would affect waters of the United States associated with Cedar River. The project/review area is located in the Cedar River in Waterloo, Iowa between West Park Avenue and West 6th Street, in 26 Section, Township 89 North, Range 13 West; at Latitude 42.4971 and Longitude -92.3384; in Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa.
EXISTING CONDITIONS: The 6th Street low-head dam and the Park Avenue/Waterloo Dam in the Cedar River in Waterloo, Iowa.
PROJECT PURPOSE:
Basic: Safety and recreation
Overall: To provide for safe and recreational access in and on the Cedar River in Waterloo, Iowa.
PROPOSED WORK: The applicant requests authorization to construct the Waterloo Whitewater Park that includes a six-step bypass channel around the Park Avenue Dam in the Cedar River in downtown Waterloo. The bypass channel is designed to create a recreational amenity and navigable passage around the dam. A rock arch rapid, which includes a stepped-down type of boulder configuration would be installed downstream of the Park Avenue dam and west of the recreational structure. The rock arch rapid is designed to increase safety. A fish passage structure would be installed between the recreational bypass and the rock arch rapids. There will be no impact to the current upstream water level management protocols.
The 6th Street low-head dam would be removed in its entirety. The project replaces lost recreation around the dam with nine jetties and four rock pods designed to provide dispersed access and recreational opportunities.
Bank access improvements and a bankside trail are proposed along the project to provide multiple recreation and bank access points. The improvements include an open staircase area for bankside viewing, and an access point near 6th Street.
Overall, work at the Park Avenue Dam would discharge fill into 7.3 acres of the Cedar River.
Cofferdams will be installed and utilized for construction and removed upon project completion.
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