Canon City’s whitewater festival continuing despite strong Arkansas flow

Despite strong water flows on the Arkansas River, the 11th annual Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival at Centennial Park in Canon City will go forward as planned, with adjustments.

Wednesday, the flow of the river is more than 5,100 cubic feet per second (CFS). This Friday and Saturday, adjustments will be made to keep people safe.

“We knew the snowpack was high when we started our meetings for the festival in January and February,” said festival co-chairman Karl Wurzbach.

Wurzbach says the water is the strongest it’s been on the Arkansas since they began the festival 11 years ago. They have contingency plans just for this very issue.

“We’re in plan C, which is the cancellation of the ‘build your own boat’ race and the ‘community raft’ race,” said Wurzbach. “The water is simply too high to put pedestrians and average citizens in the water.”

They will continue to hold professional events. Kayak sprints, raft sprints, possibly even the raft rodeo, and participants will consist of the local guides and experts.

As for the spectators along the river banks, organizers will do their best to keep them a safe distance away from the edge. They have evened move the stage further away from the river. They will also put up signs throughout Centennial Park warning people of the dangers.

“This is a big party and big event,” said Wurzbach. “The water is a part of it but we can’t control the water.”

Food and beer vendors will begin setting up for the festival Thursday morning. There is also a 5K, and a number of different activities away from the river.

Search and rescue, the Canon City Fire Department, and AMR will all be on scene for the festival both Friday and Saturday.