Scout Wave improvements

Fall 2022

There will be construction in the Arkansas River starting on Monday August 22nd at the Scout Wave in Salida. This extensive improvement project is designed to create a better wave for surfing, safer eddies, and a tuber takeout with several new safety features. The excavation will take place on the river banks starting 8/22, and in the river starting 8/29. With this sort of major project, the river has historically stayed open, however private boaters are advised to avoid the area. Commercial companies have been informed and advised of their options. Extreme caution is recommended during this time, as the area will be a construction zone. There will be dewatering with alternating channelizing to allow for boats to still be able to pass through. However, there could potentially be closures in the river if that is deemed necessary by the construction crew. The temporary scarring will include tree work below the bridge in the river corridor, removing problematic, dead, and dying trees and shrubs. These trees will be replaced with select riparian plantings. An alternate route for passing through the Scout Wave is to put in at Big Bend and take out at the Salida Boatramp or put in at Salida East and take out downriver. The project is expected to be completed by October 1, 2022. For more information, email the Director of Parks and Recreation at diesel.post@cityofsalida.com.

Winter 2024

The Scout Wave improvement project will commence on Wednesday, January 17. The first phase of the project will be the removal of old concrete rubble and trees on the river's left bank below the structure. Efforts will be made to use materials from the trees to aid in the re-vegetation of the riverbank. Following the downstream river left work, work on the downstream river trail and river right bank will begin, tentatively the week of January 22. Upon completion of the downstream tailwater and riverbank work, work will begin above the Scout Wave on river left. Improvements of the drop structure, fish passage, and boat chute will begin approximately the week of February 5th. The schedule is subject to change. The river corridor may become impassable at various phases of construction, river users are advised to: 

• Read updates at river access points 
• Check the department of Parks and Recreation’s social media sites  
• Use extreme caution 
• Scout the project from the river right Coors boat ramp before the F street bridge 

March 2024

In-river construction on the Scout Wave has been completed as of March 18th. Improvements include a fish passage that doubles as a boat bypass in high water, higher and larger flow control walls, additional eddy deflector wings, a calmer and friendlier tailwater, and river trail adjustments including river bank enforcement and attempts to control seepage.

This project's goal is to make the wave floatable for all water crafts, year-round, while keeping the wave surfable for low to middle flows.

Bank stabilization, signage, erosion control measures, and landscape restoration has begun and will continue throughout much of the Summer.