AW in the MidAtlantic

American Whitewater has a long history of working in the Mid-Atlantic. Our regional conservation and access program is directed towards securing recreational releases from dams and securing public access points to rivers, which would otherwise be lost due to development. Our work on securing releases on the Gauley and Yough (both Upper and Lower) have proven integral to developing regional rural economic strategies and building sustainable commercial markets for eco-tourism opportunities. We are lucky that West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland have fairly strong navigability and public access laws; however we are vigilant for any legislation that would reduce the public right to float. We are also increasingly concerned about the state of water quality in the Mid-Atlantic and the effect of surface mining and extractive mountain top mining removal in which unusable dross is simply pushed into sensitive headwaters streams and creeks.

New River Gorge Meetings Scheduled (WV)

posted February 19, 2010
by Kevin Colburn
article photo

The National Park Service (NPS) has scheduled three meetings in early March to gather comments on their alternative management scenarios for the New River Gorge National River. Meetings will be held in Hinton (3/9), Beckley (3/10), and at the New River Gorge (3/11). The NPS is considering several complex alternatives and paddlers are encouraged to attend these meetings to learn more and offer feedback.

Russell Fork Study Needs Congressional Support

posted February 17, 2010
by Kevin Colburn
article photo

A group of regional stakeholders are advocating for a new study of the releases on the Russell Fork River, located on the Virginia-Kentucky border. To support the studyand an improved flow regime, the group is advocating for a Congressional appropriation to fund the Army Corp of Engineers to conduct the study. Paddlers' involvement could help bring a fresh look and better flows to the Russell Fork.

Lehigh Management Plan to be Released at Meeting

posted February 14, 2010
by Kevin Colburn
article photo

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its partners will host a public meeting to announce the Francis E. Walter Dam Flow Management Plan and discuss its implementation for the 2010 recreation season. The meeting will be held Feb. 18 at the Mountain Laurel Resort, Route 940 West, White Haven, Pa., from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

New River Gorge Draft Plan Released (WV)

posted January 22, 2010
by Kevin Colburn
article photo

Earlier this month the National Park Service released their new draft management plan for the New River Gorge National River. The analysis accompanying the plan explores five alternatives representing different strategies that are all targeted at protecting the ecological, cultural, historical, and recreational values of the river corridor. The Park Service has selected their prefered alternative and has requested public comments on their draft plan and analysis between now and April 1, 2010.

Paddlers mourn the passing of Keith Pitzer

posted December 24, 2009
by Charlie Walbridge
article photo

Keith Pitzer, executive director of Friends of the Cheat since 2001, died on the morning of December 22nd following a year and a half long battle with cancer. Under his leadership, Friends of the Cheat expanded its efforts to restore, preserve, and promote the outstanding natural qualities of the Cheat River Watershed, one of the country's most important whitewater paddling venues. A former Cheat River guide and manager, he was long-time friend of American Whitewater who worked closely with us on many projects. On December 1st, co-founder and past president and executive director Dave Bassage was named interim director to keep the organization moving smoothly forward.

Benefit for the Yough Defense Fund

posted November 4, 2009
by Mark Singleton
article photo

The Curry Mine is a proposed 480 acre strip mine along the banks of the Youghiogheny River, just below the southern border of Ohiopyle State Park and adjacent to the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail.

NPS Outlines Gauley River Access for 2009

posted September 3, 2009
by Mark Singleton
article photo

American Whitewater received an open letter to boaters from the National Park Service outlining Gauley River access for 2009. For the last decade AW has leased the open field at Mason Branch for private boater parking - we are leasing the field again this year. These are your AW dues at work!

American Whitewater Joins the EPA Green Power Partnership

posted April 7, 2009
by Mark Singleton
article photo

American Whitewater has joined the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in their Green Power Partnership. AW has purchased enough renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Clean Currents, a leading supplier of wind energy credits, to offset energy usage in our national office.


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Events
2010 Webster Wildwater Weekend Webster Springs,WV starts 04/10/10
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Gauley Releases Summersville,WV starts 09/10/10
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Gauley Release Summersville,WV starts 09/10/10
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Associated Projects

  • Gauley River
    For many years AW has worked on the protection of this river and advocated for public access.
  • Upper Yough Access
    AW collaboratively manages the put in for the Upper Youghiogheny River in Western Maryland.
  • Upper Yough Releases
    American Whitewater worked closely with local paddlers and other stakeholders to negotiate an improved flow regime on the Upper Yough.
  • Lehigh River
    AW has worked with local paddling clubs to improve the recreational value of dam releases on the Lehigh
  • Virginia Access
    Virginia has some superb rivers and river access laws among the worst in the Nation. American Whitewater is working to assure the basic right to float down a stream in Virginia.