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.
Rogue River Declared Navigable
Oregon's Department of State Land issued a final ruling and determined that the Rogue River from RM 68.5 to 157.5 (Grave Creek to Lost Creek Dam) is indeed navigable. The finding confirms that the state is the owner of the river bed, and the public has the right to use the river.
California Summer Release Schedules (CA)
Although this has shaped up to be a very dry year, there will be a number of paddling opportunities for boaters to take advantage of here in California.
Wild Sky Signed Into Law
Last week President Bush signed a bill making Wild Sky the first new wilderness area in Washington State in more than a quarter century. The new wilderness includes the headwaters of several whitewater runs including the North Fork Skykomish, Silver Creek, Rapid, and Beckler.
Prospect License Issued on North Fork Rogue, OR
Earlier today the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a new 30 year license for the Prospect Hydroelectric Project (P-2630) on the North Fork of the Rogue River in southern Oregon. FERC addressed our requests in the issuance of the new license for restored flows, public access to the river, and flow information.
New Wild and Scenic Rivers Proposed for Oregon
Today Congressmen Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) announced their plan for increasing Wild and Scenic Rivers in Oregon this year. Their vision includes adding 79.6 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers on the Mt. Hood National Forest and 142.9 miles of tributaries to the Lower Rogue Wild and Scenic River.
Elk Creek Dam Notching Moves Forward
Construction of Elk Creek Dam in the Rogue River basin was halted in 1988. Since that time the dam has remained as a barrier to fish and navigation. This week the Army Corps of Engineers awarded a contract to notch the dam this year.
FERC Rejects Application for Hydro on McKenzie
Late yesterday FERC issued a letter rejecting the Preliminary Permit Application for the McKenzie River Hydro Project by Principle Power Hydro. In the letter FERC stated that the application "patently fails to conform to the Commission's regulations" and went on to cite several deficiencies with the application.
Crooked River Flow Study Published
AW has completed a study of instream flow needs for recreation on the Crooked River in Oregon. The information will provide river managers with important information on how the river is used by whitewater paddlers.
New Hydro Proposed for McKenzie River
Last month Principle Power Hydro based in San Francisco filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a preliminary permit to develop a series of 9 hydropower projects on the McKenzie River outside of Eugene, OR. These projects would be constructed on the reach from Paradise Campground to Leaburg Dam.
Congress Targets Crumbling Forest Service Road Network
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Wild Pratt River Act Introduced
Paddlers Participate in Sultan Flow Study
Sandy River Dam Removal Film
AW Files For Sullivan Creek Protection (WA)
Pratt Wild and Scenic Proposal (WA)
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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.
- North Fork Rogue
AW is working to restore flows, provide public access, and make flow information available to provide boating opportunities on this river.
- Restoring the Snake River
AW is working with a coalition of partners to restore the Snake and Salmon Rivers for fish and paddlers.
- Protecting the Ashlu (BC)
A hydropower project is now being constructed on this wonderful creek in Southwest British Columbia.
- 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.
- Skykomish Access
AW has been working to address access needs along the Skykomish River particularly at Sunset Falls, one of the most scenic waterfalls in the state and a spectacular put-in that is owned by Washington
- Cispus River (WA) Access
AW has been working to enforce requirements for public access to the Cispus River.
- 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.
- 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.
- Celestial Falls Access
Celestial Falls was closed to kayaking.
- 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.
- 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.
- Klamath Restoration
AW supports restoration of the Klamath River for the benefit of salmon while providing appropriate opportunities for whitewater recreation.
- 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.
- Chelan
AW has worked to restore flows and provide public access to the Chelan Gorge
- Nooksack Stewardship
Public access, hydropower development, and resource stewardship are all ongoing issues on this river system.
- 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.
- Green River (WA)
AW works with partners to protect flows and the scenic landscape of the Green River Gorge.
- Canyon Creek
This spectacular creek has been threatened by a proposal for hydropower development.
- Conservation System
The National Landscape Conservation System represents the crown jewels of BLM lands and rivers.
- Sullivan Creek
Sullivan Creek has two dams on it that are at risk of abandonment. AW is working on proper decommissioning.
Events
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