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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.

Upper Yough Preseason Update

posted April 22, 2013
by Charlie Walbridge
article photo 4

May 4th (CheatFest Weekend) is the first scheduled Saturday release on Maryland’s Upper Yough! If water levels cooperate this will be a busy day on the river. For Friendsville, MD (population 491) the influx of hundreds of whitewater paddlers can cause problems. Minimize your impact on the town by driving safely, being discrete while changing clothes, and by being careful when carrying boats along busy Maple Avenue. Remember that there is no parking along Water Street or Morris Avenue (the two riverside streets) unless you are patronizing local businesses. Those invited by local residents to take out on their property should park completely off the street. American Whitewater takes care of the put-in at Sang Run; our suggested donation, $2 per visit or $20 for the season, remains unchanged. For an update on the planned boater parking lot, click the link below.

Funding for River Access and More–Support LWCF

posted March 12, 2013
by Megan Hooker
article photo 2

In a bipartisan effort last month, the Senate introduced the Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act of 2013 (S.338). The Land and Water Conservation Fund has supported many projects that provide access and protect important rivers, including the White Salmon (WA), New and Gauley (WV), Illinois (OR) and Snake (ID). If passed, the bill will reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund and support similar projects into the future.

FERC Orders WW Boating Studies on CT River

posted March 1, 2013
by Bob Nasdor
article photo 4

In response to calls by American Whitewater, New England FLOW and the Appalachian Mountain Club, FERC today ordered FirstLight and TransCanada to study the potential for whitewater boating on the Connecticut River at Turner's Falls and Bellows Falls. The companies are seeking to relicense their projects at the Wilder, Bellows Falls, and Vernon dams in New Hampshire and Vermont, and at the Northfield Pumping Station and Turner’s Falls Dam in Massachusetts.

Gauley Whitewater Advisory Group Meets

posted December 20, 2012
by Charlie Walbridge
article photo 4

On December 19th I represented American Whitewater at the annual meeting of their Whitewater Advisory Committee for Summersville Dam . The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the project, has worked closely with whitewater interests for many years. Their management plan takes into account both lake and downstream recreation (and their associated businesses) as well as lake and downstream fisheries, power generation, flow augmentation, and other matters. This year's realeases were very successful, and we're looking for another great season in 2013. For information on river gauge changes, fisheries management, and other matters please click the link below:

Keith Backlund, Master Paddlemaker, Dies

posted October 28, 2012
by Charlie Walbridge
article photo 5

Keith Backlund, a master woodworker who created canoe and kayak paddles of unmatched quality, died on the evening of October 25th. He was 60 years old. Born in the Pocono Mountains of Eastern Pennsylvania, he grew up making many of the things he needed. An interest in whitewater lead him to concentrate on wood paddle making and he soon became expert at both. Although he started two mainstream paddle companies, Woodlight and Viking, his first love was building custom paddles. He rarely built more than 200 per year. His many apprentices, including Phil Coleman, Jim Snyder, and Jess Whittemore, credit him with being "a catalyst for excellence" that helped them develop the focus and craftsmanship they needed to produce outstanding work. His legacy remains in the hands of many paddlers each time they run a river.

An Open Letter to Gauley River (WV) Boaters

posted August 20, 2012
by Mark Singleton
article photo 2

The rangers and staff of the Gauley River National Recreation Area have provided the boating community with a letter outlining what's in store for this year's Gauley season. As in previous years and to help with boater parking at Mason’s Branch, American Whitewater has leased the Legg field for additional space.

Discovery of Invasive Aquatic Alga Didymo in Youghiogheny (PA).

posted June 13, 2012
by Mark Singleton
article photo 2

Invasive aquatic alga known as didymo, or “rock snot,” has been found in the Youghiogheny River (PA). The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is reminding anglers and boaters that cleaning their gear is the easiest, most effective means of preventing its spread to other rivers.

New Stonycreek River Summer Releases Near Johnstown PA

posted May 25, 2012
by Kevin Colburn
article photo 2

2012 marks the first year of scheduled releases on Pennsylvania's Class III+ Stonycreek River.  The releases, in concert with a new whitewater park, and significant water quality and ecological recovery efforts welcome paddlers to enjoy a great recreational opportunity on the extremely fun Stonycreek River this year and for years to come. 

Handling the Crowds on the Upper Yough

posted May 24, 2012
by Charlie Walbridge
article photo 4

The Upper Youghiogheny River has some of the East's finest expert-level summer whitewater. Memorial Day Weekend is the first of many busy release weekends which create crowded conditions on and off the river. For the past four decades the paddling community has done a good job managing themselves. Here are some things you can do to help your trip run more smoothly.



Upcoming Events

Calendar Control Date:
Calendar by Date by Title

October 2012

S M T W T F S
30
1
Upper Yough Release
10:00 am -1:00 pm est

Gauley Releases
07:00 am -1:00 pm est
2800 cfs

2
3
4
5
Upper Yough Release
10:00 am -1:00 pm est

Gauley Releases
07:00 am -1:00 pm est
2800 cfs

6
Gauley Releases
06:00 am -2:00 pm est
2800 cfs

Upper Yough Release
10:00 am -1:00 pm est

Stonycreek River Releases


7
Stonycreek River Releases


Gauley Releases
06:00 am -2:00 pm est
2800 cfs

8
Upper Yough Release
10:00 am -1:00 pm est

Gauley Releases
07:00 am -1:00 pm est
2800 cfs

9
10
11
12
Upper Yough Release
10:00 am -1:00 pm est

13
Gauley Releases
06:00 am -2:00 pm est
2800 cfs

14
Gauley Releases
10:47 am -10:47 am est
2800-2800 cfs

15
Upper Yough Release
10:00 am -1:00 pm est

16
17
18
19
20
Stonycreek River Releases


21
Gauley Releases
06:00 am -2:00 pm est
2800 cfs

Stonycreek River Releases


22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3

Events
Potomac, North Branch Release Luke,MD runs 08/26/06 - 09/03/12
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Gauley Releases Summersville,WV runs 09/09/05 - 10/21/12
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Upper Yough Release Friendsville,MD runs 04/15/05 - 10/15/12
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Stonycreek River Releases Johnstown,PA runs 06/02/12 - 10/21/12
[+] favorites
Lehigh River Release White Haven,PA runs 05/10/08 - 09/01/12
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American Whitewater Gauley Fest Summersville,WV runs 09/14/12 - 09/15/12
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Savage River Release Savage River Dam,MD runs 09/09/07 - 09/29/12
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Tohickon Creek Point Pleasant,PA runs 05/20/06 - 03/18/12
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  (iCal)  

Related Groups

Volunteer Opportunities / Activities

Associated Projects

  • Gauley River (WV)
    For many years AW has worked on the protection of this river and advocated for public access.
  • Lehigh River (PA)
    AW has worked with local paddling clubs to improve the recreational value of dam releases on the Lehigh
  • Upper Yough Access (MD)
    AW collaboratively manages the put in for the Upper Youghiogheny River in Western Maryland.
  • Upper Yough Releases (MD)
    American Whitewater worked closely with local paddlers and other stakeholders to negotiate an improved flow regime on the Upper Yough.
  • 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.