CLEARFIELD — Whitewater parks could also be created alongside the west department of the Susquehanna River within the Clearfield and Curwensville areas after a feasibility examine organized by Clearly Ahead Development laid out plans to enhance the river and supply leisure alternatives to native residents and guests.

The examine, funded partly by the Appalachian Region Commission and Visit Clearfield County, compiled details about public whitewater parks and reviewed proposed websites. In addition, conceptual design drawings, estimated mission prices and a potential plan on the way to convey the recreation mission to life had been included within the report.

“With innovations like this whitewater park, Clearfield County is not only providing inspired recreational opportunities for its residents and visitors, but also demonstrating that it is a leader leveraging its outdoor assets to enhance economic competitiveness in the commonwealth,” stated Nathan Reigner, director of the state’s Office of Outdoor Recreation.

Investments in out of doors recreation can retain youth, appeal to new residents and invigorate entrepreneurs, he stated.

One of the examine’s foremost focus factors was to take a look at the potential for eradicating a number of low-head dams owned and/or maintained by municipalities to restrict hazardous deterioration and to protect river elevations.

The examine investigated the removing and supreme placement of whitewater options in Curwensville, Clearfield and Shawville as leisure park prospects, stated Clearly Ahead Development CEO Rob Swales.

The report takes into consideration neighborhood security, current deterioration, aquatic and leisure liabilities related to sustaining or eradicating the low-head dams.

The report explains how the websites may be redeveloped into public leisure property with out eradicating the dams.

“The result would improve canoe/kayak passage, and aquatic migration, while maintaining river levels consistent with current levels suitable for recreational flatwater floating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing,” Swales stated.

Outright removing of low-head dams would drastically scale back river ranges and certain not be the specified end result for the world, Swales stated.

Instead, whitewater leisure parks could possibly be created to interchange the low-head dam buildings, which might resolve any considerations if and when the dams are required to be eliminated.

The mission areas would function public leisure whitewater parks for locals and out of city guests as an out of doors vacation spot. The outcomes would additional strengthen Clearfield County as a various out of doors leisure hub and be the one river city within the Pennsylvania Wilds area with public whitewater leisure parks, he added.

The examine was shared at Curwensville and Clearfield borough conferences.

A bunch of native residents, municipal leaders, conservation teams, anglers, paddlers, redevelopment organizations representing Curwensville, Clearfield and Quehanna-Karthaus areas, GenOn Energy, small enterprise homeowners, outfitters, native and regional historic and conservation companions — all of which benefit from the open air and the Susquehanna River in their very own, distinctive approach — offered enter and suggestions on the plan, Swales stated.

Because the low-head dams are deteriorating and municipalities could also be pressured to take away them sooner or later, plans to develop the areas for leisure use “is a proactive approach to address an emerging community concern,” he stated.

“We are hopeful the municipalities give the study serious consideration,” Swales stated.