Get the most out of our website

American Whitewater’s website is the largest collection of whitewater information in the world. It has many valuable tools to help you get out on the rivers safely. Here is your tutorial on how to take advantage of our website.

Logging in to the website is the first step to unlocking the full potential of the site. It’s simple, easy and free. In the top right hand corner of the screen you will see the word login, go ahead and click on it. If you already have a user name and password for the site enter it now, if not use the link to create one. A valid email address is required for this.

Now that you are logged into the website the front page of the site should look a little different. You will now be taken directly to the news page of the site, so you can keep up to date on what is happenning in whitewater today. This news page is also where you can read about AW’s current river stewardship projects.

Our news articles are available as RSS feeds. RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a format for syndicating news. If you use an RSS reader you can follow the regular updates on our site without having to check the web page every day.

Most of the features of the AW site are free for the general public, however there are a few things requiring AW membership including access to the AW Journal online. You can become a member online at the membership page and it only takes a day or two to process. Your membership directly supports our river stewardship work! Please help!

Linking your online user account and your membership is very easy. From the front page you should have a box on the right hand side that tells you “You are not currently recognized as a member. If you are an American Whitewater member, click HERE to verify your membership. If you are not a member, click HERE to join, or read about our Member Benefits. "

Following these links, AW’s website will ask for some information to verify your memberhsip. If you don’t have your membership number or have trouble, email membership@amwhitewater.org and we will get you your membership information right away.

Do you want an email every morning telling you if your favorite play spot is at the right level? Well that is what the Gaugebot is all about! here is a link to setup your own personalized Gaugebot.

Here is an example...It’s spring time in Massachusetts and I want to know when the Conneticut River’s Wave-O-Saurus comes in at 60,000 CFS. I simply go the rivers page, click on Massachusetts, then click on the Wave-O-Saurus. At the end of the url there is a four digit code 3627. That is what I will put into the AW Gauge ID box and I will put 60,000 in the Minimum Level box and make sure I check flow since this is referencing CFS not feet on a gauge. I then click on add and I am done!

I now get an email on those mornings when Wave-O-Saurus is ready for some surfing! This is the perfect tool for play spots, that run you never seem to catch, or your after work favorite.

The American Whitewater journal is the longest running whitewater magazine in the nation. Since the first copy was published in 1955 volunteers have contributed their photos and stories for the enjoyment of the whitewater community.

Historical Journals
American Whitewater’s journal is the history of whitewater paddling in the United States. Reading earlier journals is a history lesson of the trials and tribulations of paddlers from years past. AW is proud to have every single magazine that we published online for you to read. Learn how to make your own gear or customize your boat, relieve the proud history of AW’s conservation achievements, and read trip reports from rivers around the world with the Journal Archive.

Current and Recent Journals
American Whitewater is proud to offer the AW journal online for people who don’t want to receive paper copies of the magazine. The online version of the journal is in full color and usually is available a week or two earlier than your print copy. This is a membership benefit and you must have a current membership and have it linked to your online account.

Eliminating the mailing cost of your journal allows AW to focus more of its resources on restoring America’s whitewater resources. Email Carla to request that you no longer receive a printed magazine.

American Whitewater’s Photo and Video Archive has over 12,000 photos and videos provided by river users throughout the country and beyond. This unique tool allows you to help illustrate your local back yard run. The photo and video archive is linked to the river pages, so if you were taking photos on the American River in California and uploaded them to the site, then they will appear on the American River pages.

Simply go to the photos and video archive page and click on the My Photos link, from there it’s easy simply choose the photo, fill out the form, select the river and instantly it’s online.