Whitewater Channels
The Center's recirculating river is filled with 12 million gallons of well water, which is cleaned every 24 hours by a filtration and ultraviolet system. The whitewater portion of the river has a total of 3,750 feet (1,140 m) of channel divided between two channels: the Olympic-standard slalom competition channel and the longer wilderness channel, which splits around an island at the top. The rapids are Class II to IV and can be navigated via canoe, kayak or a guided raft. The different channels are linked by an Upper and Lower Pool which are connected via a moving-belt boat-lift conveyor.
Each channel is watered by three of the seven 680-horsepower pumps. Six pumps will water both channels simultaneously. The electricity cost of each pump is about $45 per hour. When only one channel is used, an inflated barrier rises up from the bottom to prevent water from entering the unused channel. Since both channels have the same drop, 6.4 metres (21 ft), the extra length of the long channel gives it a gentler slope.
Most of the water diverters are natural boulders cemented in place, but there is some use of moveable plastic bollards attached to the bottom. There are five barn door diverters hinged to the channel sides and positioned by hydraulic pistons, two above the M-Wave on the long channel, and three in the slalom competition channel. The M-Wave is designed to replicate the famous M-Wave 38°26′42″N 107°46′59″W / 38.445°N 107.783°W / 38.445; -107.783 in an irrigation channel near Montrose, Colorado.
The National Office of USA Canoe/Kayak, which manages the US canoe and kayak Olympic teams, is located in Charlotte because of its proximity to the USNWC. In April 2011, the team trials for the US national whitewater team were held at USNWC.
Read more about this topic: U.S. National Whitewater Center
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