Clark Fork to get rockier for kayak park

MISSOULA – A project to provide new whitewater for kayaking and rescue practice is under way in the Clark Fork River.

A crew last week began work to remove a concrete diversion dam from the river and replace it with rock that will create whitewater. The work is scheduled to continue for several weeks.

On Thursday, workers moved equipment into the river west of Missoula’s Higgins Avenue Bridge.

“We’ll demolish what needs to be demolished, then start putting rock into the river,” said Kris Cook, of Envirocon Inc., which is overseeing the work.

The project includes the use of barriers, which Cook likened to “big water mattresses,” so that water will be diverted from the construction area in the river. Rocks for the whitewater will be positioned, then held together with mortar blown into crevices.

The Missoula Whitewater Association pressed for the project, which is called Brennan’s Wave, for the late Brennan Guth. The world-class kayaker died in a 2001 water accident.

Support for the work includes more than $100,000 from the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, plus donations of cash and services.

Cook said the project will “clean up the river and improve the aesthetics, and we’ll have something the community will use.”

The project is near riverfront trails used for walking, running and bicycling. Some trail users on the south side of the river may be asked to take detours during the river work, which will include trucks dumping rock into the Clark Fork.