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AW in the NorthEast
posted April 17, 2006
Past Successes:
American Whitewater has been working for river enthusiasts in the Northeast for decades, with our results being flow and access to many rivers that were for years dry and/or inaccessible. With partner organizations like the Appalachian Mountain Club, Kayak and Canoe Club of New York and New England F.L.O.W., AW volunteers are responsible for having created (previously dry) rivers that run on dozens of days per year:
- Penobscot River (ME)
- Kennebec River (ME)
- Deerfield River (MA)
- Black River (NY)
- Salmon River (NY)
- Beaver RIver (NY)
- Moose River (NY)
- Rapid River (ME)
These treasured whitewater runs have water running through them today, largely due to AW volunteer efforts.
- Secured Whitewater releases on the Hoosic River which began in 2004! (NY)
- Secured a FERC License for the Oswegatchie River that provides recreational access. (NY)
- Eliminated fees for use on the Kennebec (ME)
- Successfully advocated for the decommissioning of a dam on the Contoocook which was removed in 2004 (NH)
- Worked with KCCNY to achieve optimal recreational releases and access on the Mongaup River (NY)
- Secured Whitewater releases on the Stone Valley Section of the Raquette River which began recently (NY)
Current Projects:
- Gaining legal access to the High Falls and Kents Falls reaches of the Saranac river from a resistant dam owner (NY)
- Gaining legal access to the Ausable Chasm from New York State Electric and Gas (owner of the Saranac dams) (NY)
- Assisting the Willimantic Whitewater Partnership with removing 4 small dams on the Willimantic River (CT).
- Assuring FERC mandated access areas are built on the Oswegatchie River, against opposition. (NY)
- Working to secure reliable releases on the West River (VT)
- Seeking volunteer help to have whitewater recreation included in plans to bypass dam on the Penobscot River (ME)
- Assuring fair and reasonable development and management of whitewater play areas in Watertown New York.