Canoers & Kayakers Advised to Avoid Paddling Through the Structure
INDIANAPOLIS – Citizens Energy Group joined the City of Indianapolis and the Riverside community at the Riverside Park Boat Ramp this morning to celebrate the completion of the White River Rock Ramp.
The rock ramp structure is located about 500 feet south of the Riverside Park Boat Ramp and has restored a pool necessary to operate Citizens’ White River water intake located just north of 30th Street. The intake is designed to provide water supply to the nearby Central Canal, which is the main source of supply for the utility’s largest water treatment plant. The intake will be used primarily during periods of drought or should flow to the Central Canal be disrupted due to reasons such as a flood or a breach of the canal levee.
"The White River Rock Ramp ensures water supply for our White River Treatment Plant, which produces more than half the drinking water for the Citizens system. In addition, the gently sloped ramp allows the free movement of fish and other aquatic life that would be inhibited by a traditional dam,” said Citizens President & CEO Jeffrey Harrison. “The rock ramp, combined with our ongoing DigIndy Tunnel System project, which is preventing sewer overflows, will contribute to a healthy and diverse fish population in the river.”
The rock ramp, which is a natural-looking structure with large stones arranged in an arch pattern across the river, also has restored about half of Riverside Park’s Lake Indy, a popular recreational amenity for the community for more than 100 years. Lake Indy disappeared in late 2018 when the 129-year-old Emrichsville Dam, located just south of 16th Street, failed during high water conditions.
Signage prior to the rock ramp advises canoers and kayakers to exit the river to safely walk their watercraft around the structure via a portage, which is path located on the east side of the river through the park. Citizens also advises people not to wade out into the rock ramp for fishing or other activities.
About Citizens Energy Group
Citizens Energy Group provides safe and reliable utility services to about 900,000 people in the Indianapolis area. Citizens operates its utilities for the benefit of customers and the community.
Media Contact Information
Laura O'Brien
Phone: 317-519-1515
Email: media@citizensenergygroup.com