American towns and cities are turning toward their rivers as they rethink conventional stormwater management and create greenways for city beautification and quality of life benefits.

Some communities are finding creative ways to repurpose hazardous dam structures into boater and river recreation parks. In recent years, whitewater parks have gained popularity. They are popping up across the nation and attracting water enthusiasts from the leisurely river tuber to the river wave surfer.

River recreation projects often involve removing or modifying outdated dam structures to create surfable waves and gentle drop-pool sequences. In addition, shoreline beaches and landscape terracing promote safe public access and observation opportunities. Successfully built projects activate the river’s edge and attract new residents and tourists to bolster the local economy.

LVB collaborates with whitewater enthusiasts and engineers at Recreation Engineering and Planning to communicate river recreation project design to community stakeholders across the U.S.