Big decisions coming for Chehalis River–proposed dam, salmon and flood response
12/09/2025 - by Thomas O'Keefe
Storm season in western Washington is upon us, and with it, the risk of atmospheric rivers bringing severe flooding. Nowhere is this more evident than in the naturally flood-prone Chehalis River Basin, where the debate about a proposed flood control dam on the upper river has reached a critical milestone with the release of the state’s draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The DEIS report from the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) details potential implications of construction and operation of this new mega-dam for salmon, fish habitat, recreation, water quality, water temperature, and many other ways the project could impact the river and its communities and ecosystems. The 75-day public comment period for the DEIS began on November 20th and will conclude on February 4th. You can make your voice heard by submitting written comments and testifying at one or more of five public hearings.
Shoshone Water Rights Accepted as Instream Flow
12/09/2025 - by Hattie Johnson
In a big win for the Colorado River, the purchase of water rights to protect and leave in the river flows that support river health and recreation was unanimously approved by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. On November 19th, the Board signed off on “the interest in the acquisition” of both the junior and senior water rights associated with the Shoshone Hydropower Plant as an instream flow. American Whitewater was a party in the contested hearing in front of the Board in support of the acquisition of the instream flow right. We jointly submitted a prehearing statement with the Colorado River Outfitters Association describing in detail the benefits to river recreation on the mainstem of the Colorado from Kremmling to Glenwood Springs. These are some of the most senior water rights on the river and keep boatable flows in the river through one of the longest boating seasons in the state. The Colorado River District and Public Service Company of Colorado, along with the support of the Colorado Water Conservation Board staff, were asking the state to accept the donation of these water rights as an instream flow and to ensure that the Colorado River District would have a say in how they are operated.
American Whitewater Online Store Offers Array of Gifts
12/08/2025 - by Bethany Overfield
If you’re holiday shopping for the river enthusiasts in your life, we have some stellar merchandise available in our webstore! Proceeds from webstore sales help propel our river stewardship work so you can feel extra good about gifting with American Whitewater. Of course, you’re encouraged to treat yourself as well!
We have new camo hats, new mesh hats, 2026 calendars, a selection of wonderful books for adults and children and some great apparel. We also have our 2026 American Whitewater calendar, which is always a big hit. If you order this week you should get your goodies by late next week, so head over to the webstore now!
Defending Public Lands and Waters–Winter Stewardship Update 2025
12/08/2025 - by Evan Stafford
What does having safe access to clean water flowing through public lands mean to you and your family? For most of you reading this, we’d be willing to wager it’s incredibly important to your quality of life and that having intact and protected public lands is something you hold close to your heart as an American. Take a look at our 2025 Winter Stewardship Update to see some of the ways American Whitewater membership supports our work protecting rivers and creeks in our national parks, forests, and other public lands. Your membership dollars and donations are an incredibly efficient and effective way to show your love for public lands and rivers and to support your ability to safely access them. Plus bonus–all American Whitewater members with an active membership on Dec. 31 will be entered in a drawing to win a week of boating in Ecuador through Small World Adventures or a Dagger Indra Kayak (S/M, shipped to your door)!
Deerfield River: The Next 40 Years of Whitewater (MA)
12/08/2025 - by Robert Nasdor
A decade of advocacy efforts in the hydropower project licensing on the Deerfield River in Massachusetts has finally resulted in a new hydropower license that will preserve and expand whitewater boating and angling opportunities for the next 40 years! Whitewater releases on the Deerfield River are the result of 40 years of effective river advocacy that created the advocacy model, resulting in scheduled releases and river restoration on more than 100 rivers nationally.
Tax Smart Charitable Giving–Make the Most of the 2025 Rules
12/05/2025 - by Clinton Begley
As you plan your year-end giving, 2025 is a uniquely powerful year to make tax-smart, non-cash gifts that protect the rivers you love and strengthen your own financial strategy. Tax rules are scheduled to tighten in 2026, reducing the benefit of charitable deductions for many donors—especially those who use donor-advised funds (DAFs) or like to plan multi-year support. By acting before December 31, 2025, you can lock in today’s more favorable rules while sustaining American Whitewater’s work for years to come. If you would like to talk about a significant gift or multi-year commitment through a DAF contribution, appreciated stock, or other non-cash gift, please contact Clinton Begley at clinton@americanwhiter.org.
2026 Advances Southeast Release Schedule Announced!
12/04/2025 - by Kevin Colburn
American Whitewater and our affiliate clubs have spent the past 25 years working to restore flows to incredible Southeastern rivers impacted by dams. A lot of our work has focused on releases and access on Class II and III rivers, but we also secured releases in some classic steeper reaches previously dewatered by hydroelectric diversions. Each year we meet with power companies and agencies to schedule future releases, review ongoing ecology studies, and discuss any issues with the release programs. We strive to create a schedule with minimal conflicts to maximize recreational value. Below are the 2026 dates for the Class IV/V Cheoah, Nantahala Cascades & Upper, West Fork Tuck, and Tallulah rivers. Also 2026 marks the fourth year of releases on the Great Falls of the Catawba! Thankfully, none of these rivers were significantly affected by Hurricane Helene. Enjoy these releases, big thanks to all the volunteers and agency staff that make these releases possible, be safe out there, and we appreciate your support of this work.
American Whitewater Year-End Membership Drawings
12/02/2025 - by Bethany Overfield
As our way of saying, “Hey! Thanks!”, we're elated to announce that we have two great prizes for our end-of-year membership drawing for 2025. All current American Whitewater members as of Dec. 31, 2025 will be entered to win a week of boating in Ecuador through Small World Adventures or a Dagger Indra Kayak (S/M, shipped to your door). If you’ve let your membership lapse, now would be a great time to renew! If you’ve been sitting on the riverbank and haven’t yet joined, we’d love to have you as a member!
American Whitewater is a membership-based nonprofit organization, and we depend on our members to fuel the work that we do. This support goes beyond financial contributions—our membership base shows up for us as volunteers, advocates, and as die-hard river protectors. We couldn’t do any of the access, restoration, or conservation work we do without you.
Colorado Gives Day Happening Now!
11/28/2025 - by Kestrel Kunz
Colorado Gives Day is happening now through December 9! Donate today to have your dollars go even further in supporting American Whitewater’s river access work in Colorado. We need your support more than ever this year as we are tirelessly working to secure legal public access to Colorado’s rivers in the 2026 state legislature. Donations made through Colorado Gives this year will go directly to our Colorado Access Program and will ensure that your dollars are matched from the $1 million incentive fund.
Success: Klamath River Access Sites Staying Open (OR/CA)
11/19/2025 - by Thomas O'Keefe
Two weeks ago, the states of Oregon and California unexpectedly announced the seasonal closure of three of the new Upper Klamath River access sites. Pioneer Park West, Moonshine Falls, and K’utárawáx·u were scheduled to close from November 20 through March 31 — a move that would have cut off direct access to the Big Bend Run and the K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon Run during the very season when flows are typically at their best and affected take-out access for the Keno and K’íka·c’é·ki Valley runs. Thanks to rapid engagement by American Whitewater, strong support from outfitters, and calls from many of you, both states have now reversed course. All three access sites will remain open this winter, with only short, weather-dependent closures if conditions genuinely warrant them. This is an important victory for the boating community and ensures that the public can safely reach and enjoy the newly undammed Klamath River during its prime winter and early spring season.
Pursuing New Legislation to Clarify Stream Access in Colorado
11/13/2025 - by Kestrel Kunz and Hattie Johnson
American Whitewater, Colorado Whitewater, and the American Canoe Association are pursuing a bill in Colorado’s 2026 legislative session to clarify the public’s lawful ability to float, scout, and portage around hazards on Colorado’s rivers. This legislation would include robust protections for landowners, including expanding liability protections and clarity around property rights violations. For decades, Colorado’s murky river access laws have led to regular conflicts between public river users and landowners, risking the quality of life for both parties. To continue our momentum and achieve success in Colorado, we need your financial support. We have a big gap to fill to meet a $80,000 campaign goal in support of our advocacy, stakeholder engagement, education, and broad grassroots efforts. If you enjoy Colorado’s rivers or if public river access is important to you, now is the time to make a contribution, whether small or significant, it all makes a difference. You can donate directly to this campaign using this form. We appreciate any support you are able to give!
2025 Board Of Directors Election–Current Members Please Vote Now!
11/13/2025 - by Evan Stafford
Each year American Whitewater's membership ratifies Board of Director members to serve three-year terms. These candidates volunteer to serve on the American Whitewater Board. Current American Whitewater members can cast their votes through Midnight Pacific Time, December 15th. American Whitewater has four Director Nominees to fill four open seats in this election, and you may vote for up to four candidates on the slate. The ballot for our Board of Directors election is placed online here.
Take Action: Oregon Waterway Access Permits
11/13/2025 - by Thomas O'Keefe
In 2025, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 2982, expanding the types of vessels subject to waterway access permits and increasing associated fees. The legislation moved quickly, with limited public input, and American Whitewater was the only organization to formally oppose the bill during the legislative hearing. We were successful in helping secure an exemption for small, nonmotorized boats engaged in whitewater recreation. We’re encouraging boaters to weigh-in with public comments at a rulemaking hearing regarding this legislation on Dec. 4.
Supporting Public Lands and Waters, Even During a Shutdown
11/13/2025 - by Evan Stafford
This past fall, despite a government shutdown, American Whitewater continued our work meeting with decision makers in Washington, D.C., and advancing the protection of our public lands and waters. Our team partnered with outdoor recreation and conservation leaders on three trips to the nation’s capital, meeting face-to-face with lawmakers to discuss the value of public lands, the importance of the public voice in hydropower licensing, conservation priorities for rivers, and the effects of agency staff reductions and shutdowns on river management. In partnership with coalitions like Outdoor Alliance and the Hydropower Reform Coalition, we had a busy fall–holding more than 100 meetings with both Republicans and Democrats. Our goal was to strengthen outdoor recreation and conservation priorities across the country.
“With the longest federal shutdown in history and ongoing staffing shortages at our land management agencies, it’s more important than ever to show up and make our voices heard,” said Thomas O'Keefe, Director of Policy and Science, of American Whitewater. “Outdoor recreation remains one area where we can have constructive, bipartisan conversations—and where our advocacy truly makes a difference. Even in a challenging political climate, we’ll continue to look for opportunities to protect access and the health of our rivers, and to ensure that agencies have the resources they need to care for these special places.”
American River (CA) Bridge Debris is Being Removed!
11/13/2025 - by Jeff Venturino
Placer County is currently in the process of removing bridge debris from the American River at Highway 49 just below the confluence of the North Fork and Middle Fork American Rivers. Debris removal was requested by the regional organization, Protect American River Canyons (PARC), and supported by local elected officials. A bridge failure in 1964 caused this hazardous and unsightly debris, which was abandoned in place at that time because an assumption was made that it would be flooded under the Auburn Dam reservoir. Restoring rivers to their natural state and removing infrastructure debris is incredibly important work. We’re thrilled that this project has moved forward despite the lack of a clear responsible party and long time scale. The confluence section of the American has several connected whitewater sections, which not only hosts boaters but also sees many tubers each summer. Recreational users have been endangered by this bridge debris for decades and it is exciting to see this situation will be greatly improved by next summer. American Whitewater has been in contact with Placer County regarding public, and on-water recreation safety, and has been pleased so far with the protective measures being implemented.
November '25 North Fork Feather (CA) Releases
11/13/2025 - by Jeff Venturino
Recreational releases will be happening on the Poe Canyon (V) and Bardee’s Bar (IV) sections of the North Fork Feather River this weekend. Releases will be 1400cfs from 9am to 3pm on November 15th and 16th, and 22nd and 23rd. These releases were negotiated for and are annually coordinated by American Whitewater in conjunction with Pacific Gas & Electric. We also advocated for license-required repairs to Bardee’s Bar road, which were completed this past spring after a significant winter wash-out and access for both sections should be open. This year’s releases were pushed out into November due to Pacific Gas & Electric maintenance needs, but are confirmed for November.
Access Closures on Upper Klamath River (OR/CA)
11/13/2025 - by Thomas O'Keefe and Scott Harding
Update: California has agreed to keep their sites open through the winter unless severe weather conditions justify a short-term closure. You can still call and thank the state for reconsidering their plan to close the K’utárawáx·u River Access for 4 months. We are still in conversations with Oregon but they seem inclined to reconsider their proposed closures and we are encouraging the state to align with the approach California is taking.
Just when the newly undammed Klamath River is ready to welcome boaters for its first full winter
season—with five brand-new river access facilities now in place—three of these access
areas are being closed to the public. The Klamath River Renewal Corporation, together with the
Oregon and California departments of fish and wildlife, announced the seasonal closures of Pioneer
Park, Moonshine Falls, and K’utárawáx·u river accesses from November
20, 2025 through March 31, 2026, citing “safety and weather conditions.” For
river-runners in Southern Oregon and Northern California, this news lands hard. These access
sites are the result of years of work by American Whitewater and our partners to ensure that, as
the reservoirs drained and the river returned, boaters would have safe, reliable ways to explore
the newly revealed reaches and witness the river’s revival. If you're interested in trying
to protect public access to the restored Klamath, you can take action by calling the Oregon
Department of Fish & Wildlife: 541-883-5734 and California Department of Fish &
Wildlife: 530-225-2300 and emphasizing why winter and early-spring access matters: these seasons
provide some of the Klamath’s best boating flows, and these new access sites were intended
to serve the public year-round. Image by Nicole Smedegaard.
2026 Calendars + Holiday Offer Membership Now Available!
11/12/2025 - by Bethany Overfield
Looking for that special gift for someone or just feeling the need to treat yourself? Our American Whitewater Holiday Offer just went live! You can get a Standard Membership ($35), a 16 oz MiiR Mug, and a 2026 calendar (plus shipping) all for $75. Head to our membership form and snag a Holiday Offer today. This is a splendid way to support our Stewardship work at American Whitewater.
We’re excited to partner with MiiR this year as they are a Climate Neutral Certified Brand and a B Corporation. In other words, MiiR walks the walks in the sustainable/environmental world!
Calendars make the perfect gift for the river lover in your life! You can head to our webstore to purchase one today (there are all kinds of gift goodies in the store!). Our calendar images are all contributed by our amazing and talented community and highlight many of the rivers you love. Keep American Whitewater close all year long with these gifts!
All Klamath River Accesses Now Open Along Undammed Reaches (OR/CA)
08/01/2025 - by Thomas O'Keefe & Scott Harding
With four dams removed, five new access sites completed, and all existing access points open, the 45 miles of newly restored river between Keno and the former Iron Gate Dam offer exciting new opportunities for boating—and are now more accessible than ever.
But before heading to the river, it’s important to know the specific use guidelines at each access site. Read on and check out our new map to learn more about each access and how to be a respectful visitor to this remarkable, newly undammed stretch of the Klamath.
Senator Murray & Representative Randall Reintroduce Wild Olympics Bill (WA)
05/13/2025 - by Thomas O'Keefe
Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Emily Randall (D-WA-06) reintroduced the Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, legislation that would permanently protect more than 126,500 acres of Olympic National Forest as wilderness and 19 rivers and their major tributaries—a total of 464 river miles—as Wild and Scenic Rivers. Designed through extensive community input to conserve ancient forests and pristine rivers, protect clean water and salmon habitat, and enhance outdoor recreation, the legislation would set aside the first new wilderness on Olympic National Forest in over four decades and the first-ever protected wild and scenic rivers on the Olympic Peninsula. With a strong foundation of overwhelming local support, the bill has made steady progress each successive Congress—passing the House with bipartisan support twice before and passing out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last Congress for the first time in the bill’s history.
