Calibre Engineering Leads Design of Signature Whitewater Venue at Origin Park

Flagship “Wildwater” attraction to anchor 400+-acre park and riverfront destination in Clarksville, Indiana.

CLARKSVILLE, IND. — Calibre Engineering, a national leader in civil, structural, and whitewater engineering, has been selected to lead the design and oversee construction of the signature whitewater venue at Origin Park, a transformative 430-acre riverfront development along the Ohio River.
 
The project’s centerpiece—Wildwater at Origin Park—will serve as the primary gateway to the park and a defining attraction for the region. Designed as a world-class whitewater and outdoor recreation destination, Wildwater will feature a more than 3,300 LF simulated whitewater river system, including a 2,000 LF recreational channel, 1,000 LF competition channel, and a 92 LF surf wave, offering whitewater experiences for beginners through elite athletes.
 
Calibre’s selection underscores the firm’s unmatched expertise in designing complex, high-performance whitewater environments that balance engineering precision with user experience. The firm is leading all aspects of the whitewater system, including channel design, hydraulic engineering, structural systems, and physical modeling, as well as civil engineering and integration with the park’s broader infrastructure.
 
“We build these projects for adventurers—beginners and experts—who are seeking a unique whitewater experience that looks and feels like real whitewater,” said Scott Shipley, Whitewater Division manager at Calibre Engineering. “Our approach is rooted in designing from the user’s perspective, to understand how people will use the park and then design for those needs.  We want a swiftwater rescue team to show up and start training; or a school group to experience the thrill of water on their first trip; or a National Kayaking Team to find a full-day’s worth of adventure. At Origin Park, we have an opportunity to create something that invites the whole community to come out and play, find adventure, and challenge themselves in our rapids.  That has been our goal from day one of this project.”
 
Wildwater is being developed as part of a broader vision for Origin Park, an evolving urban outdoor destination led by the River Heritage Conservancy. The park will ultimately span more than 400 acres and include over 22 miles of trails, paddling access points, an event center, and a range of adventure amenities such as zip lines, climbing walls, and ropes courses.
 
The whitewater system itself represents a significant feat of engineering and environmental transformation. Built across two former landfill sites, the project reclaims industrial land while restoring a dynamic and accessible riverfront landscape. A high-capacity pump system capable of delivering flows between 900 and 1,200 cubic feet per second will power fully adjustable whitewater features, including surf waves and training zones, enabling year-round operation independent of river conditions.
 
In addition to recreational rafting and competitive events, the site is designed to accommodate other unique uses and events.  For example, the venue will be available for youth development programs, Swiftwater Rescue Training for first responders, and a host of on-water and off-water uses, leveraging the unique whitewater destination as a community asset.
 
When complete, Origin Park is expected to attract up to 1.5 million visitors annually and serve as a catalyst for economic growth and outdoor recreation in the greater Louisville region.
 
Calibre’s whitewater team brings a proven track record of delivering world-class whitewater venues, including the U.S. National Whitewater Center, Riversport Rapids, and Montgomery Whitewater, projects widely recognized for their performance, broad accessibility, and significant economic impact for their communities.
 
Construction timelines are still being finalized, with hopes to open later this decade.
 
Other team members include: Perkins & Will (architect); Construct Solutions (owner’s representative); Cloward H2O (water treatment); WSP (structural and MEP engineering); ERI (feature design); JTL (surveyor); SME (geotechnical and environmental services);.

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About Calibre Engineering

Calibre Engineering is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) providing civil, structural, and whitewater engineering services in the United States (U.S.) and across the globe. Known for “reinventing whitewater,” Calibre’s Whitewater Division specializes in community-focused whitewater design. Their team of expert paddler-engineers has planned, designed, and created some of the best in-stream whitewater parks, as well as the largest and most dynamic recirculating whitewater parks in the world, and some of the first swiftwater facilities in the United States. The Whitewater Division is led by Scott Shipley, a three-time Olympian and three-time World Cup Kayak Champion. The Wildwater project is led by Calibre Senior Project Manager and Principal Ben Murphy, Project Manager for Denver’s The River Mile and Meow Wolf Convergence Station. For more information, visit calibre-engineering.com.
 

source https://zweiglist.com/calibre-engineering-leads-design-of-signature-whitewater-venue-at-origin-park/