[twitch]

Down River Equipment, KEEN, and Confluence Kayaks would like to invite you to a day of fun, floating, and finding foreign treasures in the South Platte River on Sunday, April 22, 2007. This Earth Day we plan to take a Stand For our local waterways and make a difference in our community and would like to invite you to join us.

We will be floating from the Union Chutes in Englewood to Confluence Park in Downtown Denver removing as much of the litter and other unnatural items that don't belong there. Upon reaching City Park immediately below the Confluence of the Platte and Cherry Creek, we will unload our cargo of newfound treasures and commence celebrating the 'beginning' of the paddling season with a FREE BBQ. (and likely some other fabulous giveaways)

Both Confluence and Down River will be bringing their demo fleets of oar boats, duckies, and other craft, but there's a lot to come out of the old Rio, so please feel free to bring your own boat(s) as well.

Details are still in the works and we will update you as they become available. If you are interested in joining us please contact either Confluence Kayaks (303)433-3676 or DRE (303)467-2144 to sign up, or register on line here on the events page.

For additional information email your inquiries to me at [email protected] or post here.

​

 

[twitch]

Times

Thanks for all the emails and positive responses! It sounds like we're going to have a strong showing already.

For those of who who've asked, times have yet to be nailed down, but we're shooting to be on the water by noon and back down to confluence by 4 or 5 (flows dependent). We are currently working on some parking facilities for all of us to meet / stage from in the morning and to leave the vehicles at all day. As soon as we have more information I will be sure to post it.

Mark

 

[COUNT]

How many miles is this stretch? Thanks.

COUNT

 

[TheKid]

If these flows keep up every thing that needs to be picked up will wash and the whole float will take 20 minutes!

 

[Livingston]

http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=67055

Yuck.
-d

 

[mvhyde]

about 12 miles to confluence as the river runs

 

[COUNT]

Thanks.

COUNT

 

[mvhyde]

I run this from Chatfield to Confluence anywhere from 1 to 3 times a weeks. I plotted it out on Map Point and it came to about 18 miles. In a creeker with a lot of rocker, it takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hrs. Playboat is about 4.5 hrs. Wildwater boat is about 1hr 35 minutes. Depends on how hard you paddle. It is actually not a bad float, there are some drop and rapids that will give you a good rush. I'd compare it to LTB without the great scenery and a little more smell of car fumes (not to mention the weird homeless hobo campsites).

 

[Chief Niwot]

Oil leaks into South Platte from Xcel power plant

http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=67055

This poor river!

 

[preston]

To Mr. Ludden et al,
The World would be a better place if we were allowed to eat cake.

 

[twitch]

3.30.07 Update

I would have to agree that given the opportunity, every man woman and child would be better off for having eaten cake....so cake for dessert at the BBQ?

Well thus far the responses have been awesome. We already have at least 40 people officially registered and more being added each time I check my inbox.

TIMES: We plan to meet at Union Chutes at 10am and hope to be on the water by noon. The float should take anywhere from 3-5 hours depending on flows and rubbish in the river landing us at confluence by 5pm and ready to get our BBQ on.

VOZ has contacted me and is sending along some giveaways along with a sneak peak at their new helmet. I can't wait to see them!

Dagger has also expressed interest in joining us and everyone knows Hobie never comes to the party empty handed.

I've also heard from several other brands including Level 6, Ruffwear, Salamander, and Cliff Bar all of whom want to contribute what they can, and I will provide updates as they come in.

Please be sure to register on the events page:
River Clean Up Registration

Or call DRE (303)467-2144 or Confluence Kayaks (303)433-3676 for more information.

Mark

 

[TheKid]

good we are going to need those helmets to keep track of people! There are many unknown dangers on the south platte! Rabid bums, storm grates, low head dams, really big carp, inner city kids, and Don Dowling!!! AKA They call me double D, soon to be aka the trash compactor!

 

[Don]

S. Platte

I'll be there rockin the Shredder. All Black Attack. Looking for some surf action.

 

[twitch]

4.5 Update

Well the good news keeps coming in. Along with more PFD's, paddles, and a few boats from the Johnson Outdoor Group out of the Denver Area; I've also recieved word from Waste Management of Denver that they are going to donate their services and help us with roll off dumpsters and recylcling bins for both the clean up and the BBQ.

As well, they have invted us to utilize their parking at their Union offices day of so there should be plenty of room.

I also just recieved the first T-shirts hot off the press from VOZ for the event and they're pretty sick. Only one way to get one....

 

[mvhyde]

cool beans

Don, anyone....

There's a big tree that needs to come out of the drop at Florida Ave.... Ideas?

 

[twitch]

4.12.07 Update

A few updates here for you:

1. Nathan Fay, Colorado Stewardship Director for American Whitewater, will be on hand joining us on the river providing an opportunity for you to hear about AW's plans for 2007 and to share your thoughts with him in a relaxed and informal environment. AW is making a strong stand here in Colorado and we greatly appreciate Nathan volunteering with us here in Denver.

2. Tired of surfing the web looking for a sneak preview? Want to see the real deal? Want a chance to win one of the first copies of Whitewater of the Southern Rockies - THE NEW TESTAMENT? We'll have both a copy for you to preview AND a chance to win one of the first copies upon their arrival.

We will have snacks available for on the river courtesy of Clif Bar, but please remember to bring some water for yourselves for the time on the river. We will have refreshments available at Confluence Park when we arrive there.

I'd also reccomend considering NOT paddling your kayak for this event. Much of the trash and debris are on the shore or in the willows and will necessitate being mobile. We hope to have plenty of rubber for people to ride in but if you have some of your own, bring it.

Thanks again to all who are contributing to this event including Down River Equipment, Confluence Kayaks, Danny Andres from Johnson Outdoors, Brian Felse with Salamander & LevelSix, Waste Management of Denver, Kristen Downs of Clif Bar, Solly and VOZ Sports, and of course Randy from DRE for all of his assistance in making this happen. We are expecting quite the turnout and have been blown away by the support and level of commitment from the boating and non-boating community.

Thanks and we hope to be able to update you with shuttle details (we're working on a bus) shortly.

 

[rwhyman]

I probably missed this somewhere, but if I bring my raft, will I need to bring bags or containers or something for puncture protection?

 

[twitch]

bags

Very good question. We plan to have a supply of trash bags available to you, but I also would reccomend mesh bags if you have them to allow for drainage as you make your way down the river. I'm bringing about a dozen of my own along.

 

[woodboat75]

rhyman,

I am tying to cut out some wood floors for a couple of our boats, to protect them. Most of the boats will just have bags of garbage in them, and I don;t think it will be a problem. There are some shopping carts, and pallets, and strange items like that in the river. Hopefully we can fit that stuff in the modified boats. Remember, you are the captain of your boat, if you think something is going to damage it, don't let it onboard. I am also going to put a rubbermaid bucket in each of my boats to put smaller sharp items in that could tear through the garbage bags.

Randy
D|R||E|
303.467.2144

 

[twitch]

4.18 update

Just a reminder and some quick updates about the river clean up which is now only 4 days away.

1. We've got a shuttle bus....no not bunny, bus. Our friends at Outward Bound will be bringing a 20 person bus and providing shuttle service from Union to City of Cuernavaca Park. It's located all the way down Platte St - the same street Confluence Kayaks is on - past 20th street, where you will find ample parking. This is where we would like to reccomend parking for the event, though if you wish to park closer to Confluence Park you are welcome to as that is where we will be having the BBQ afterwards. Regardless the bus will leave from City of Cuernavaca Park at 10:15am, 11:00am, and 11:45am headed back to Union. If you wish to leave your vehicle at the put in, we ask that you use the parking facilities at Waste Management, directly across from Brent Mayne Field.

2. The GIANT tree at Florida is gone thanks to the hard work of the guys at DRE and a few others who chipped in.

3. I must revise my prior statement. If you have both a kayak and a raft, I would reccoment bringing both for this adventure. Rafts will be easier to work out of, can transport extra people, and also can haul more trash. However, it's looking like we will need all of the equipment we can drum up, so if you have an extra ducky, pfd, or paddle, please be sure to bring it along if possible.

4. The giveways for the raffle keep arriving at my house and one company based in Fort Collins has made a very generous contribution of liquid refreshment to keep us all cool from the heat.

5. We all need to sign a waiver Denver Parks and Rec has lent their support to this effort and as such, we will need to fill out a quick waiver for them when you arrive. Registration is from 10am to noon at Union. This is also your entry into the raffle and a way to show our commitment to this cause so please do sign up.

6. This IS an opportunity for you to sign up and support AW! Nathan will be bringing registration forms as well as information on ways you can help, so please take advantage of this opportunity.

We still hope to be on the river by noon. Please don't forget your own water to keep you from getting dehydrated on the river...I said liquid refreshment earlier, not hydration.