Front Page News

Congratulations to Paul R Hummel, winner of the week long trip in Ecuador provided by Small World Adventures! Paul has been a member and supporter of AW since 1999 - thank you Paul for your ongoing support of our mission.

With generous support from Small World Adventures and Smith Sport Optics, American Whitewater hosted a fundraising and membership drive that ended on October 1st raising $163,791.  Anyone who joined or renewed their AW membership or donated at least $10 to support our river stewardship efforts was entered in a raffle to win the week long trip in Ecuador with Small World Adventures and monthly prizes from Smith Sport Optics.  Every $10 contribution provided one chance to win. A huge AW thank you goes out to both Small World Adventures and Smith Sport Optics for making this membership drive possible!

Recreational releases on the Upper Nantahala and West Fork of the Tuckasegee are currently being held up by a local County's opposition to removing Dillsboro Dam on the Tuckasegee River. As resolution nears, opposition to releases on the West Fork of the Tuck is heating up.  Regardless, it appears that 2010 may be the year that sweeping river restoration initiatives occur on the Tuckasegee River.  We have posted a West Fork video to remind paddlers why this project is so important. 

This weekend (Oct. 18th), come renew or start your membership with American Whitewater in Old Forge, NY at the ever-popular Moosefest. Stop by the membership table and show your love and support for your favorite whitewater non-profit. Plus meet pro paddler and Team Dagger member Corey Volt and AW's Jeff Paine who will both be maning the table.

AW will be set up at Mountainman Outdoors Supply Company on Saturday, Oct. 18th, from 4-6PM. Later on that evening AW will be setting up at one of the local pubs, Slickers, from 10PM-12AM.

The Bureau of Reclamation has released the long-awaited Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Windy Gap Firming Project. The Project, proposed by the Municipal Subdistrict of Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District would move the Colorado River another step closer to being a "flat lined" river, with flows perpetually at low flow levels. The Bureau of Reclamation has scheduled two public meetings where citizens can offer written and oral comments: one in Loveland on October 7 and one in Granby on October 9.

Right now there is a proposed national rulemaking to decide the fate of Colorado's backcountry roadless areas. Rivers flowing through Roadless areas in Colorado include the Los Pinos, Piedra, Hermosa Creek, Mad Creek, Saint Vrain River, Conejos River, and Lime Creek. Many additional rivers are bordered by Roadless areas that define their superb scenery and water quality.  These include most notably the Upper Animas River, Cache la Poudre, Elk River, and the Taylor River.  The Animas, Poudre, and Taylor Rivers are commercially rafted by large numbers of citizens, supporting significant regional economies. Your comments to the Forest Service are needed by October 23rd.

On October 2, 1968, President Johnson signed the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Paddlers were and continue to be among the most passionate advocates for protecting our nation's free-flowing rivers. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act remains one of our most important tools to protect our nation's free-flowing rivers and opportunities to enjoy them.

Last week at the Gauley River Festival, American Whitewater announced that Charlie Vincent was named the 2008 River Steward of the Year.  American Whitewater annually awards this honor to a single volunteer who has shown exceptional dedication to our river stewardship mission, and who has recently reached a major milestone in their efforts.  Charlie's decade of volunteer work on Idaho's Bear River successfully restored water to the river's Black Canyon this year. 

Wow, what a festival!

Not only was it the 25th anniversary of the Gauley Fest but ask almost anyone who was there and you’ll hear the same thing “It was the best Gauley Fest ever!” Not only was there beautiful weather with clear blue skies but throw in the industries biggest and best vendors with whitewater enthusiasts from all over and you’ve got a recipe for an outstanding event!

With the proceeds of the event being used to support the stewardship work of American Whitewater.

North Cascades National Park is currently revising the management plan for the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, which includes the Skagit River. As part of the planning effort the Park Service has considered a request by American Whitewater to conduct a study on the eligibility and suitability of the Skagit River for protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. While the downstream section of the Skagit, which is popular for eagle floats, is designated as Wild and Scenic, what many paddlers do not know is that the well-known whitewater run upstream is not currently designated.

The Sept/Oct issue of the AW journal is now online for AW members to enjoy! 

In this issue you'll find a ton of interesting articles on everything from AW stewardship updates to river rescue to tales of first descents. Also, this edition of the journal is host to a very special "Single Blades" section that highlights stories about canoeing and rafting.

AW members can check out the journal online . However, you must be logged into the AW website and be registered through the site as an AW member.

John R. Sweet, leader of the first party to run the Gauley River in modern hardshell whitewater craft, turns 70 on September 27th. Sweet was one of the strongest paddlers of his era, a man whose skills set a standard that others tried to emulate. A member of several U.S. Whitewater Teams, he was a fierce competitor in slalom and wildwater events. Forty years ago John was the first to run what later become known as Sweet's Falls on the Upper Gauley. He was a mentor to many paddlers still active in the area.

The state of Illinois has proposed a new dam safety law.  The proposed law includes the establishment of a 300 ft upstream and 50 ft downstream exclusion zone around “dams” identified by the law as a threat to boaters. The law would prevent portage at many dams, effectively preventing public recreation.  It would also senselessly end use at at least one popular whitewater feature.

A new SC state Attorney General's opinion suggests that public river access at bridges, and recreational activities like fishing and boating (including scouting and portaging) within the bounds of the high water mark are likely legal activities on navigable rivers in the state.  This positive opinion is not a substitute for a definitive judicial ruling, however it will guide the officers and agents of the State in their law enforcement practices.

Tributaries of the lower Rogue River and the rivers of Mt. Hood will be the subject of a hearing today in the U.S. House of Representatives. American Whitewater has participated in outreach efforts associated with both pieces of legislation that include rivers of interest to the whitewater paddling community.

Right now the largest land and river protection bill in recent history is in the US Senate, awaiting action. The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2008 (S. 3213) represents a legislative package that will protect several rivers and headwater streams that the paddling community enjoys. AW encourages you to contact your Senators. 

Congratulations to Dan Kelly for winning the August pair of Smith Optics Sunglasses.  With generous support from Smith Optics and Small World Adventures, American Whitewater is hosting a fundraising and membership drive ending on October 1, 2008.

American Whitewater would like to recognize Anne Connolly as our Volunteer of the Month. Anne was the mastermind behind the first annual Boater Chick Festival held on the Nantahala River at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser, NC May 17 - 18, 2008.

A report released yesterday by American Whitewater finds that the flows mandated for the Saranac River's High Falls Gorge will likely fail to restore basic ecological functions to the river.  The report critiques the mandated flows using an analytical tool developed by the Nature Conservancy that compares human caused changes in certain aspects of flows that are ecologically important.

US Forest Service funding for many programs vital to Americans’ enjoyment of our National Forests is about to disappear as the agency re-allocates funding for those programs to its fire fighting budget. The Chief of the US Forest Service announced Friday that the agency has depleted its $1.18 billion fire suppression budget for fiscal year 2008, and has initiated a recall of $400 MM from agency programs throughout the nation.

Friends of the Cheat, with the help of whitewater paddlers throughout the region, constructed a new parking area along the Big Sandy Creek in Rockville, West Virginia. This will provide secure public access to this popular whitewater run. The location is on river left, just upstream of the Rockville Bridge. There's space for over 30 cars here, and we hope that this will relieve congestion on busy spring weekends. The road from the bridge to the lot was also widened and greatly improved. Future plans include trails to several different spots along the shore.

An alternative to Wild and Scenic River Management is currently being developed for the Upper Colorado River, that would provide water for growing populations in Colorado, while permanently protecting the iconic river's threatened fish and wildlife habitat, riparian systems, and the world class whitewater from Gore Canyon to Glenwood Canyon. American Whitewater is working to ensure that environmental and recreational flow needs are protected under the new management alternative.

Shuttle service is now available for the Big Bend run on the North Fork Feather River.  Lake Oroville is at its lowest level in years which is uncovering this run that is normally inundated by the Reservoir.  AW is looking for your feedback on this new shuttle service.

The health of the Tuolumne River is at risk from a San Francisco proposal to take significantly more water from the River. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is proposing to divert up to 25 million more gallons of water per day from the Tuolumne, enough to fill 1,000 swimming pools, every day.

Like many paddlers, American Whitewater yesterday submitted comments on the Forest Service's environmental assessment (EA) of recreation on the Chattooga River.  We would like to thank all the paddlers that filed comments in support of responsible management on the Chattooga.  As a community we have daylighted a national treasure being mismanaged by a small group of people for a small group of people.  AW remains committed to bringing responsible river management to the Chattooga on behalf of all backcountry recreationists.  

Ever since first raising the issue of boating on the Upper Chattooga with the Forest Service in 1995 AW has repeatedly sought to establish a reasoned dialogue with the other stakeholder groups and reach a mutually acceptable agreement regarding boating on the upper Chattooga River.

This spring the Gauley River National Recreation Area acquired the Masons Branch and Woods Ferry access locations. Over the past few months American Whitewater has been working with the Gauley River National Recreation Area to insure that private boaters have continuing access at these critical take-out/put-in locations. Today the park issued an open letter to boaters outlining their plans to manage these access points.

As paddlers and stewards of America's whitewater resources we have much to be thankful for in 2007. Your support of American Whitewater enabled us to gain ground on significant issues facing our rivers both at a regional and national level.

Our regional river stewardship program, an integrated approach to the American Whitewater mission of conservation, access and safety, is performing at a very high level. Our stewardship team is racking up on-the-ground achievements while building internal capacity to more fully involve the paddling community. This Annual Report highlights the methods and achievements of our stewardship efforts.

Colorado- While the US Army Corps of Engineers is drafting the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the enlargement of Gross Reservoir in Boulder County, Colorado, Denver Water is taking comments on their proposed changes to the reservoir's FERC license, including tree removal, relocating recreation facilities, and hydropower generation.

Comments on the FERC License amendment associated with Gross Reservoir Enlargement Project are due September 29th, 2008.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has announced a 45-day extension of the comment period to the pending Section 404 Permit application and Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP). The new expiration date for the comment period is September 13, 2008. 

Removal of the Dillsboro Dam is one step closer. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued more approvals connected with Duke’s plans to remove the Dam on the Tuckaseegee River in western North Carolina.

American Whitewater is studying instream flows that sustain the recreational opportunities of the Upper Colorado River. The survey of flow prefrences for commercial rafting opperations on the Upper Colorado River is intended to compliment the 2007 survey of private boater flow preferences for the Colorado River, reaching from Kremmling to Glenwood Springs. Please share the news of this survey with commercial rafters.

American Whitewater has reached an aggreement with Sportsman's Paradise, granting paddlers access to Wildcat Canyon. Historically, the act of floating through club property to access Wildcat Canyon has resulted in harassment by landowners, physical assault on paddlers and criminal prosecution. The new agreement secures permission for paddlers to enter and cross club property via vehicle, in order to access public lands to the north of Sportsman's Paradise property. The agreement will undergo a trial run this season, with the goal of formalizing the arrangement for 2009; ensuring many years of fantastic paddling through Wildcat Canyon.

Releases have lowered to approximately 800 cfs as of Tuesday and will continue between 800 to 1000 cfs through next weekend.  Next forecast data expected shortly after May 1, 2008 and may reflect recent high winds and lack of new precipitation leading to lower releases.  Flows may rise in May, but keep reviewing updates.  The most current flows are available at Department of Water Resources site, Dolores gage below McPhee. http://www.dwr.state.co.us.  For proposed spills in May and June 

Recently the Administration has initiated a national rulemaking that will decide the fate of 9.3 million acres of backcountry areas in Idaho's national forests—representing the core of the last intact forest ecosystem in the lower 48 states and some of our nation's most spectacular backcountry paddling destinations. Watch the video and learn what you can do today to help protect these areas.

Using data from the USFS we have published a Google Earth layer of eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers. We encourage paddlers to use this map, which can be displayed with our whitewater database in Google Earth, to learn more about their local run and agency management priorities.