PROJECT DETAILS
WOKA is a unique project where just the sheer ambiance of the geological structures will awe you. Bounded by the crystal-clear Illinois river to the South and rocky knoll terrain to the North, this large limestone and shale outcropping set the perfect backdrop for a Whitewater Park. Working interdependently with Crossland Construction and Double S Dirtworks, for the Walton Family Trust, Dykon found a way to create a nearly a quarter of a-mile-long course filled with drops, slopes, jetties, and knobs. These features are what will drive the rapidity of the water to enhance the kayaking experience. This visual masterpiece was not without its technical difficulty to complete though. With varying rock hardness from 6,000 to 17,000 psi at altering strata depths, it took a team of highly technical explosive engineers to maintain the 18 inch tolerance as required by the specs. From preconstruction to blasting, the planning had to stay ten steps ahead to keep the project moving forward smoothly. With a 90-year-old dam at just over 200 feet away, it was imperative to get every blast right to ensure minimal vibrations attenuated in its direction. We achieved less than 50% of the max allowable tolerance with respect to peak particle velocity for the entire project, a feat in and of itself. Over the course of 9 pools and slopes, we racked up over 150,000 square feet and another 50,000 cubic yards of rock with varying sizes of materials to be used in the final structure. Kayaking will begin 2023!
