Montgomery plunges into whitewater as development tool to expand regional narrative with Montgomery Whitewater

By John Bricken, PLA, ASLA, LEED GA and Max Vaughn, PE

Ask recreationalists to name some of the top whitewater kayaking areas in the United States, and images of the New River Gorge in West Virginia, Salmon River in Idaho, and even the Ocoee River on the Tennessee-Georgia border come to mind. Now, Montgomery, Ala., is emerging as a new site for recreationalists to visit with Montgomery Whitewater.

For a city known more as the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement, where top tourist attractions include the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legacy Museum, sites like Maxwell Air Force Base and a Hyundai manufacturing plant also classify Montgomery as part of the New South. The city has diversified its economy and, as a result, its fortunes.

Sitting along the banks of the Alabama River and at the confluence of two major southern corridors with interstates 65 and 85, Montgomery is advantageously situated at the intersection of culture and economic growth.

And now, it can add to its narrative as a place for recreation with a state-of-the-art, whitewater kayaking course.

Montgomery Whitewater opened in summer 2023 as only the third manmade whitewater course in the nation, joining the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and the Oklahoma City Whitewater Park. With a course designed by world champion and Olympic competitor Scott Shipley, Montgomery Whitewater already played host in April to the U.S. Canoe Slalom & Kayak Cross Olympic Team Trials for the Paris games.

For whitewater enthusiasts looking for challenges and fun on class II, III, and IV rapids, the course’s spot on the map was only part of the vision for the $75-million development. Located in a long-overlooked and economically depressed part of the city, Montgomery Whitewater is seen as a catalyst for economic development and a tool to enhance the perception of what’s expected from this historic southern city.

A Community Project With Big Dreams

Former Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange described Montgomery Whitewater as critical to projecting a positive image of the community, as a place not only for professionals but also for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and that could improve the lives of residents, workers, and tourists alike.

“Montgomery County invested [in] itself, envisioning an improvement in the quality of life for its residents through the Whitewater project,” says Jeffrey Gustin, CEO of Montgomery Whitewater. 

Former Montgomery Commissioner Elton Dean, who has since passed away, was instrumental in driving the plans forward for this project, especially when others were unsure of the benefit it could bring to the city. Since his passing, Montgomery County Commissioner Doug Singleton and other local leaders have carried the project’s torch in his stead.

“Honesty about goals, coupled with realistic timeframes, is essential. These projects are marathons, not sprints, and require local champions to carry the banner along the way,” Gustin says.

Through that lens of community impact, the project came together as a coordinated effort between multiple city, county, and economic-development authorities who contracted with an organization, the Southern Whitewater Development Group, to bring this project to life. 

It was this community support that helped make the vision proposed eight years earlier a reality. Called “Project Catalyst,” Montgomery Whitewater was conceived to leverage the natural beauty of the site near the Alabama River to provide people with a premier destination for outdoor recreation, events, and entertainment. Even before opening, the local Chamber of Commerce began recruiting tenants to visit site parcels for possible operations like hotels and retail stores.

Maxwell Air Force Base, located directly west of the site, was instrumental in securing property. Part of the project extends onto the base property, requiring modifications like relocating a security fence to enable shared access. Maxwell AFB is a cornerstone of the Montgomery community, and its ongoing support is vital to the city’s growth. This new facility will also serve as a valuable recreational and entertainment resource for those stationed at Maxwell, enhancing the quality of life for its personnel.