Construction of $11 million Waterworks Park on Arkansas River begins in Pueblo

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDOI) -- In past years, several people have died or been injured at the Southside Diversion Dam, locally known as the Low Head Dam, in the Arkansas River near CIty Park, where water velocity increases and a fairly steep drop-off exists.

The dam makes navigating that section of the river dangerous for kayaks, rafts and similar watercraft; a 46-year-old man and his 16-year-old son drowned there while rafting on Father's Day 2020.

"Low head dams are always dangerous," said Joe Cervi, spokesman for Pueblo Water, the dam's owner. "The current under the drop-off essentially spins in a circle and if you get in there, it's practically impossible to get out because there's nothing to grab."

To eliminate that problem and increase safety, officials announced Thursday that they are starting an $11 million project to rehabilitate the dam area and make the river easier and safer to navigate for watercraft between the lower Pueblo Reservoir and Runyon Lake.

The project, expected to last around a year, also will create pools and beach areas to provide additional recreation and gradually lower the dam's drop-off and slow the water velocity there.

A passage for fish migration is part of the project.

Pueblo Water built the dam in 1915 to provide a backup transmission route in case the primary route is shut down.

The contractor for the project built a scale model of the dam area to test the proposed changes in preparation for the actual work.

Pueblo Water, the city of Pueblo, Pueblo County and the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District are sharing the cost of the project; the dam area will be renamed Waterworks Park.

Officials say that the existing Burkhardt Crossing pedestrian bridge will be moved slightly north to be closer to the new water park, and a new pedestrian bridge will be built a short distance downstream.

Reaction to the project was positive Thursday.

“I think that’s really cool because I didn’t notice they’re going to have those six little pools over there, where the little kids can get in there with their tubes, and play," said Jerry, a regular park visitor. "And it’s so safe, there’s no way that anybody can get hurt.

Garrett Goettel is a Pueblo native.

Officials say that the construction work will cause some temporary inconveniences for people recreating on the river in that area.