Artificial whitewater

Main types of course: These work by diverting a natural river through boulder placement or damming, or by creating new channels next to an existing river, possibly by a weir or power station outflow.

The nature of artificial whitewater courses necessitates the need for a drop in the river, and enough water flow to provide hydraulics.

When this isn't possible (often in flat low-lying areas), electric pumps are used to lift and re-circulate the water to the top of the course.

Pumped courses are extremely expensive to run, typically 1-2 megawatts of electrical power are needed to pump 15 cubic metres per second of water down a course with a 5-meter drop in height.

These courses are created in existing natural river channels, but are enhanced with strategic placement of new rocks, boulders, or concrete structures.