Cloward H2O, an expert in aquatic design, has provided more details about the cutting-edge water filtration systems that it has installed to provide crystal clean water for Montgomery Whitewater, a new outdoor lifestyle centre in Alabama, which is set to open its doors on 8 July 2023.
The solution uses 24 high-rate horizontal media filters. The use of Activated Filter Media (AFM) instead of sand allows filtration to get down to around one micron, Ozone, and chlorine at 18,000 gpm total treatment flow.
“When the mass flow pumps are off, we are able to see the bottom of the main pond which is 25’ down! In comparison, the Alabama River adjacent to the part, you would be lucky to see 25″ down,” says Phillip Melton, operations manager at Montgomery Whitewater.
Reducing water loss
When needed, each of the 24 horizontal media filters in the backwash recovery system backwash into a large holding tank adjacent to the mechanical pumping room. This holding tank has its own separate filtration and ozone system that is recirculated. This allows for significant savings when it comes to wastewater going to the sewer.
If this backwash recovery system was not in place, Montgomery Whitewater would lose about 14,640,000 gallons of water every year due to filter backwash. In comparison, with the backwash recovery system in place, the venue will only lose about 480,000 gallons of water every year to backwash. The holding tank is also used as a fill system for makeup water recovery due to evaporation and other losses. This system reduces water loss by around 95%
Whitewater experiences for all levels
With the ability to accurately control the environment, man-made whitewater courses like these will revolutionize Olympic and similar competitions, allowing visitors to have a safe and controlled experience. The channels can be easily adjusted in order to provide varying types of rapids and levels, catering to everyone from beginners to seasoned experts. Each rafting experience is 90 minutes long, which typically ends up being four to five times around the whitewater channel.
Guests will be able to build their skills without having to travel to remote places and buy expensive equipment. Centres like these can be built close to large urban areas, allowing greater and more convenient access to more people.
“Montgomery Whitewater isn’t just for extreme adventurers and high-intensity kayakers,” says Allen Clawson, principal at Cloward H2O. “Most of the people that will come to Montgomery are those that have never even been down a rapid’s river before or just a few times in their lifetime.
“The difference with Montgomery and other whitewater centers coming out in this new emerging recreational space is that people can come back the next day and a few times a month. It’s much easier to get good at the sport, you don’t have to drive five hours to spend all day on the river catching only a few rapids. Whitewater parks and the growing surf parks industry are allowing people to return visit and get good at something a lot faster.”
Collaboration overcomes challenges
“Cloward H2O worked alongside a great team of professionals that brought this project together as a team, a project this scale can face some interesting and difficult challenges let alone that fact it was coming about during Covid,” says Braden Steiner, project manager for Montgomery Whitewater at Cloward H2O.
“We are grateful to have clients and partners that go to bat for us and we do the same. Everyone has a part to play in these great projects coming to life and it’s always great to see one get completed.”
Cloward H2O worked alongside Southern Whitewater Development Group (SWDG), Jesco Inc. Construction, S2O Engineering, Liquid Design, and GMC to bring Montgomery Whitewater to life. This transformative venue will enhance the quality of place for the River Region, driving economic development and boosting tourism.
Future plans for the site include the addition of rock climbing, mountain biking and ropes courses, as well as access to the Alabama River for kayaking and standup paddle boarding. An on-site hotel and retail units will also be added.
Earlier this year, Cloward H2O reflected on a previous successful project which is still going strong over 20 years later. The firm prepared design and construction documents for the indoor aquarium facility at the Kuwait Scientific Center, for both freshwater and salt-water. The attraction was completed in 1999, and Cloward’s responsibilities included the design of all tanks, pools, and aquatic life support systems.
