AW in the NorthWest

American Whitewater has an active program in the Pacific Northwest. Our regional conservation program features a focus on dam relicensing and continued protection of key watersheds on public land. While we are lucky that many of our rivers flow through public land we are not without access issues. The Skykomish remains one of our top ten access issues.

Wild and Scenic for Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie (WA) Passes House

posted March 18, 2010
by Thomas O'Keefe
article photo

Earlier today legislation passed the House of Representatives to add 10 miles of the Pratt River and nearly 30 miles of the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River to the National Wild and Scenic River System. Pending action in the Senate this legislation will provide long-term protection for a spectacular whitewater resource.

Ship Creek (AK) Access Issue

posted December 9, 2009
by Thomas O'Keefe
article photo

Ship Creek Canyon has been known for several years as a great Alaskan whitewater run just outside downtown Anchorage that flows through the military's Fort Richardson light-tactical training area. Recently the base has stepped up enforcement of a paddling ban and charged local paddler with trespassing on military land for paddling Ship Creek this past summer.

Legislation to Protect Molalla River Passes House

posted November 19, 2009
by Thomas O'Keefe

Earlier today the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to designate the Molalla River as a Wild and Scenic River (H.R. 2781). This legislation will protect 15.1 miles of the Molalla River and 6.2 miles of the Table Rock Fork of the Molalla River in Oregon.

AW Reaches Agreement on Sultan River (WA)

posted October 31, 2009
by Thomas O'Keefe
article photo

American Whitewater has reached agreement with Snohomish PUD and other parties to the relicensing of the Jackson Hydropower Project on the Sultan River. The future proposed license will support whitewater boating on the Sultan River and in particular the reach between Culmback Dam and the Powerhouse known as the Upper Sultan.

Illabot Creek Wild and Scenic bill passes House

posted October 24, 2009
by Thomas O'Keefe
article photo

Last week legislation (H.R. 1593) to protect Illabot Creek as a Wild and Scenic River passed the House of Representatives.

Bill Cross recognized as AW's River Steward of the Year

posted October 8, 2009
by Thomas O'Keefe
article photo

American Whitewater is pleased to announce Bill Cross as our 2009 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. In addition to our appreciation the AW River Steward of the Year Award comes with a Jackson kayak.

ACTION ALERT: Restore the White Salmon River

posted September 22, 2009
by Thomas O'Keefe
article photo

There is incredible potential for the White Salmon River to once again be home to abundant wild salmon and steelhead populations and a new whitewater run. But before this vision can be realized, the 95-year old, 125-foot Condit dam, which blocks fish passage and innundates a section of river awaiting a future first descent, must be removed. The Washington State Department of Ecology is currently accepting comment on one of the last permits the dam owner needs to make removal a reality.

ACTION ALERT: Protect the Wild Rogue

posted August 28, 2009
by Thomas O'Keefe
article photo

American Whitewater is asking our members, particularly those living in Oregon to take action to protect the Wild Rogue. The Rogue River Wilderness and Rogue River Wild and Scenic River represents one of Oregon's most treasured natural landscapes. Legislstion in Congress (H.R. 2890 and S. 1271) will provide more comprehensive protection for the river corridor for future generations.

Hemlock Dam Removal Underway (WA)

posted August 13, 2009
by Thomas O'Keefe
article photo

After several years of anticipation, Hemlock Dam removal on Trout Creek in the Columbia Gorge is underway. The crews are out doing the final work on restoring the historic channel and if all goes well over the next couple days water will once again flow over beautiful river-polished bedrock that was buried under a reservoir for decades.

New York Times article on Dam Removal

posted August 13, 2009
by Mark Singleton
article photo

American Whitewater was featured prominently in a New York Times article about the benefits of dam removal to whitwater paddlers. The story is a great example of what's good for a river is also good for recreation, habitat, fish and local communities.

FERC Approves Whitewater Recreation Plan for North Fork Rogue (OR)

posted July 1, 2009
by Thomas O'Keefe
article photo

Last week FERC approved a whitewater recreation plan for the North Fork Rogue. We are pleased to be working with PacifiCorp who has committed to immediately implementing the plan and providing the whitewater recreational opportunities this summer.

New Dams Proposed for Chehalis River (WA)

posted June 25, 2009
by Thomas O'Keefe
article photo

This spring Lewis County PUD released a Draft Study Report for Chehalis River Water Retention Facilities. If implemented, the plan calls for the construction of two dams including a 220 foot high and 1960 foot wide dam on the mainstem of the Chehalis River and another slightly smaller dam on the South Fork Chehalis. This project would inundate a whitewater river along with high quality salmonid habitat.

Comments sought on Condit Dam removal environmental review

posted June 8, 2009
by Thomas O'Keefe
article photo

The Washington Department of Ecology has just released an environmental review to address how sediment will be managed during the proposed removal of Condit Dam on the White Salmon River in October 2010. Comments on the review document will be accepted until July 20, 2009.

Senator Murray and Congressman Reichert introduce new Wild and Scenic bill

posted March 26, 2009
by Thomas O'Keefe
article photo

Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Dave Reichert, joined by Senator Maria Cantwell and Washington State Congressmen Jay Inslee, Brian Baird, Adam Smith, and Jim McDermott, introduced legislation today in the Senate and House that would expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area and designate both the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as Wild and Scenic. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act will expand the existing wilderness by over 22,000 acres to include important lower-elevation lands and complete watersheds.


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Events
North Fork Rogue Release Grants Pass,OR starts 07/31/10
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North Fork Rogue Release Grants Pass,OR starts 08/01/10
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Associated Projects

  • White Salmon Restoration
    American Whitewater has been engaged in a long-term effort to protect and restore one of the Pacific Northwest's most spectacular year-around whitewater rivers.
  • Klamath Restoration
    AW supports restoration of the Klamath River for the benefit of salmon while providing appropriate opportunities for whitewater recreation.
  • Celestial Falls Access
    Celestial Falls was closed to kayaking.
  • Mokelumne
    AW negotiated releases, access, and other previsions on the Mokelumne through a dam relicensing process
  • Canyon Creek
    This spectacular creek has been threatened by a proposal for hydropower development.
  • Green River (WA)
    AW works with partners to protect flows and the scenic landscape of the Green River Gorge.
  • Wenatchee/Okanogan NF
    The Wenatchee and Okanogan National Forests are home to some great whitewater runs and AW has in interest in protecting the resource values of these rivers.
  • Middle Fork Snoqualmie
    AW has been working on resource stewardship along the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie and protecting this drainage for the incredible recreational opportunities it provides.
  • Greenway Whitewater
    The Mountains to Sound Greenway stretches over 100 miles along Interstate 90 from Seattle to Central Washington. AW is engaged in promoting stewardship and protection of the rivers in this corridor.
  • Puyallup River Watershed
    Major rivers of the Puyallup watershed include the Carbon, Puyallup, and White which drain the western and northern slopes of Mt. Rainier which we are working to preserve and protect.
  • Roadless Areas
    Of the 192 million acres the Forest Service manages, 58.5 million is Roadless. Often located at lower elevations, Roadless Areas include scenic landscapes, ancient forests, and wild rivers.
  • Restoring the Rogue
    One of the great Rivers of the West, preserving the the Wild Rogue and restoring upstream reaches impacted by dams are priorities for American Whitewater.
  • Nooksack Stewardship
    Public access, hydropower development, and resource stewardship are all ongoing issues on this river system.
  • Cispus River (WA) Access
    AW has been working to enforce requirements for public access to the Cispus River.
  • Clackamas Stewardship
    AW has been a stakeholder in licensing of the hydroelectric projects on this river and protection of key tributaries through the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
  • USFS Road Management
    Our National Forest road network already includes more than 386,000 miles of roads with only 21 percent of these roads meeting adequate road maintenance standards. With a maintenance backlog approachi
  • Restoring the Snake River
    AW is working with a coalition of partners to restore the Snake and Salmon Rivers for fish and paddlers.
  • Elwha Restoration
    The Elwha River will be restored by removing two dams that have blocked salmon and degraded recreational opportunities on one of the Pacific Northwest's most spectacular rivers.
  • Mining Law Reform
    AW and the Outdoor Alliance believe that mining on public land must be balanced with all other uses of public land, including clean water and outdoor recreation.
  • Protecting the Ashlu (BC)
    A hydropower project is now being constructed on this wonderful creek in Southwest British Columbia.
  • Sullivan Creek
    Sullivan Creek has two dams on it that are at risk of abandonment. AW is working on proper decommissioning.
  • Susitna
    A hydropower project on the Susitna would drown Devil's Canyon
  • Chelan
    AW has worked to restore flows and provide public access to the Chelan Gorge
  • Conservation System
    The National Landscape Conservation System represents the crown jewels of BLM lands and rivers.
  • Skykomish Stewardship
    AW is actively engaged in the conservation of the Skykomish River and its tributaries and advocacy for public access.
  • Sultan River
    AW is working to improve flows and public access for the benefit of fish, wildlife, and paddlers as part of hydropower relicensing on this river.
  • Skagit Wild and Scenic
    Public access, riparian protection, and effective resource stewardship are all important to management of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River.
  • North Fork Rogue
    AW is working to restore flows, provide public access, and make flow information available to provide boating opportunities on this river.