American Whitewater’s conservation program focuses on dam relicensing and continued protection of key watersheds on public land. American Whitewater is a founding member and current Steering Committee member of the California Hydropower Reform Coalition. American Whitewater has participated in the relicensing of 22 hydro projects throughout the state. Our goals are to secure annually scheduled whitewater releases, access improvements, real time flow information and improved instream flows for river ecological purposes.
American Whitewater has been working for three years to get improved flows on the McCloud River, quite possibly the best class III/ IV wilderness run in California. In order for this to become a reality we need your support!
Nevada Irrigation District (NID) will be releasing 350 cfs into California's Bear River below Rollins Reservoir on Saturday, and Sunday, November 14 & 15. Releases will also happen from Wednesday to Sunday, November 18 to 22, 2009. A third release of 200 cfs will happen from November 25 to 29. NID, with the cooperation of AW, will conduct an "opportunistic flow study" to take advantage of these flows.
Boaters are getting a surprise fall boating season on the NF Feather river in California, due to dam maintainence. Poe Dam to Poe powerhouse section will have flows through November and probably into December. At the same time, a new AW online gauge has just started reporting flows in that same reach.
If you have the day off, can get the day off, have a furlough day or can even call in sick we need boaters at the October 13th EBMUD Board of Directors Meeting where they will vote to certify the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for their Water Supply Management Plan 2040.
Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill (SB 670) placing a moratorium on suction dredge mining in California. This is a huge victory for paddlers, anglers, and anyone who enjoys California's rivers.
The 19th annual Feather River Festival (CA) will be held during the scheduled releases on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27, 2009. The fund-raiser event for American Whitewater is hosted by local paddling club, the Chico Paddleheads.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has written a letter to FERC and the State Water Resources Control Board recommending that the releases on the Pit River, above the Pit 1 Powerhouse, should be canceled this summer. They cite concerns of potential impacts to Shasta Crayfish. American Whitewater was not consulted before making this recommendation and USFWS staff has stated that impacts to recreation was not a consideration. If you wish to boat the Pit this summer or in the future you need to write a letter now!
After three years of waiting a new flow schedule for the Cresta reach of the North Fork Feather
River has been approved by FERC. This flow shecdule is a result of colaboration between American
Whitewater, PG&E and the State and Federal resource agencies. New higher base flows will
begin on May 1st.
The DWR will present its first report regarding the research conducted for the proposed whitewater park. The meeting will take place on February 18th at 3:00 p.m. at the Oroville City Council Chambers. Local boaters and businesspeople are encouraged to attend to participate and be involved with the planning and final decision.
| NF Feather: Poe | Tuesday the 1st | to | 300 - 2000 cfs | Flow release |
| Wednesday the 2nd | to | 300 - 2000 cfs | Flow release | |
| Thursday the 3rd | to | 300 - 2000 cfs | Flow release | |
| Friday the 4th | to | 300 - 2000 cfs | Flow release | |
| Saturday the 5th | to | 300 - 2000 cfs | Flow release | |
| Sunday the 6th | to | 300 - 2000 cfs | Flow release | |
| Monday the 7th | to | 300 - 2000 cfs | Flow release | |
| Tuesday the 8th | to | 300 - 2000 cfs | Flow release | |
| Wednesday the 9th | to | 300 - 2000 cfs | Flow release | |
| Thursday the 10th | to | 300 - 2000 cfs | Flow release |
Adaptive Management of Whitewater Recreation Cost and Benefits