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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.

Savage River Releases Announced

posted July 2, 2008
by Charles Walbridge

In efforts to further the access of great whitewater in Garrett County, the Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI) (with the help of many local organizations and businesses), is excited to help facilitate the 2008 Savage River Releases. The Savage River Release scheduled for Sunday, July 6 is ON Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Volume: 1000 CFS. Read on, then come out and enjoy this very beautiful, very continuous class III+ Creek!

 

Vote Early and Often; Win Big Money for Big Sandy River and Trail Access

posted June 16, 2008
by Charles Walbridge
article photo

Friends of the Cheat wants to purchase an outstanding piece of riverfront along West Virginia’s Big Sandy, one of the state's most oustanding whitewater rivers. The Redwood Creek Wines “Greater Outdoors Project” is offering a $50,000 competitive grant. Friends of Cheat applied and finished in the top 5 out of 100. We need your help! On June 15th a description of the project and a photo will be posted on RedwoodCreek.com. You can vote every day through July 31st. Bookmark the site and go there daily when you check weather and river levels. Vote early and often for the Big Sandy Project. The direct link for voting is: http://www.redwoodcreek.com/greatoutdoors/voting.asp

 

New Public Access for Gauley River

posted May 15, 2008
by Mark Singleton
article photo

The National Park Service is purchasing property from two West Virginia landowners to improve public access to the Gauley River.  The sites, located at Woods Ferry and Mason Branch, are established put-in and take-out sites for boaters, kayakers, canoeists and rafters along the river between the public put-in at the Summersville Dam and the take-out at Swiss, almost 26 miles downstream.

2007 Gauley Festival Economic Impact Study

posted May 6, 2008
by Carla Miner
article photo

American Whitewater commissioned the consulting firm Crane Associates of Burlington, Vermont to conduct an Economic Impact Study on Gauley Festival. Crane Associates specializes in the economics of rivers and natural resources. They help communities find their balance between sustainable economic development and natural resource protection.

Coal Mine Proposed Near Lower Yough (PA)

posted May 5, 2008
by Kevin Colburn
article photo

A mining company is proposing a new coal mine on a 588 acre tract of forest land near the Youghiogheny River in Pennsylvania.  The controversial mine would be adjacent to Ohiopyle State Park and would affect water quality and quantity on the Yough, Morgan Run, and on other Yough tributaries.  Comments are now being accepted on the proposed mine.

28th Annual Upper Yough Race - July 26

posted April 21, 2008
by Mark Singleton
article photo

The 4th Annual Yough Festival and 28th Annual Upper Yough Race will take place on Saturday, July 26, 2008. Race registration will take place on July 26, from 10:00AM to 1:00PM.

Mongaup to Re-Open After Three-Year Closure (NY)

posted April 15, 2008
by Kevin Colburn
article photo

Boaters in the northeast have good reason to be excited this month. The Rio Project on the Mongaup River (NY) will reopen this month after being closed to recreation for nearly three years.  Releases will begin this month!

Holtwood Public Meetings Planned for April (PA)

posted April 8, 2008
by Kevin Colburn
article photo

The dam owner and FERC staff will conduct a site visit and host public meetings regarding the Holtwood Hydroelectric  Project on Thursday, April 17, 2008.  Holtwood is located on the Susquehanna River.  The dam owner is proposing to install additional turbines, modify the channel, and delay relicensing their dam, each of which will impact paddling opportunities downstream. 

Virginia Access Opportunity Stalled

posted February 12, 2008
by Kevin Colburn
article photo

Last month we alerted paddlers to a piece of state legislation that would have authorized a study of stream access problems and opportunities in Virginia.   The Rules Committee could only support a specific number of studies for 2008, and unfortunately the river access study did not make the cut.  We hope that with broad support the resolution will succeed next year. 

WVU Students Team Up For River Access

posted October 30, 2007
by Charles Walbridge
article photo

For the third year in a row two groups of West Virginia University students and staff from Greg Corio's Adventure West Virginia program joined forces with Friends of Cheat to maintain vital river access points. At the Friends of Cheat Access in Albright, the job was to harden a badly eroded launch site. At Jenkinsburg, the focus was on trash collection. Both efforts will improve these places for local and visiting whitewater paddlers

Wave Sport presents Steward of the Year Award to Barry Adams

posted September 24, 2007
by Mark Singleton
article photo
American Whitewater and Wave Sport presented the Steward of the Year Award to Barry Adams of Pittsburgh, PA at the 2007 American Whitewater Gauley Festival in Summersville, WV this past weekend. Adams is the second recipient of the annual river stewardship achievement award that recognizes individuals who make outstanding contributions to river access, conservation, and/or safety on behalf of American Whitewater. Along with the recognition Adams was awarded a Wave Sport boat of his choice.

Friendsville Boater Etiquette

posted May 17, 2007
by Mark Singleton
article photo
With additional water in the Upper Yough this summer from a newly negotiated flow schedule it’s time to talk about boater etiquette in Friendsville. Remember that community standards are not the same from one town to the next and the conservative index ranks high in this area. When visiting Friendsville, here are some things to consider in this tight knit community:

New Saturday Releases Secured on the Upper Youghiogheny

posted April 20, 2007
by Kevin Colburn
article photo

Paddlers have been negotiating a new release schedule on Maryland's Upper Youghiogheny River with Brookfield Power and other stakeholders for over one year.  The results have just been released in a new permit for the operation of the Deep Creek Dam.  This year, and for the foreseeable future, paddlers will be treated to upper Yough releases on every Saturday from mid-June through mid-September!

Cheat Canyon Settlement Reached; Land Set Aside for Endangered Species

posted February 13, 2007
by Charles Walbridge
article photo
After two years of intense negotiations an agreement reached to protect endangered species in the Cheat River Canyon. Allegheny Wood Products acquired roughly 5,000 acres in the Cheat Canyon below Albright, WV in 2003 for $9.75 million. When they began building roads and cutting trees the following year the government took no steps to enforce the Endangered Species Act. A lawsuit was filed in 2005 by Friends of Blackwater Canyon, the WV Chapter of the Sierra Club, and the Cheat Lake Environmental and Recreational Association. Although American Whitewater was not a party to the litigation we are gratified that an agreement was reached and commend both parties for their efforts.

New Project Threatens Holtwood Playspots (PA)

posted March 28, 2006
by Kevin Colburn
article photo
A new project has been proposed that would likely destroy most or all of the popular play waves and holes downstream of the Holtwood Dam on Pennsylvania's Susquehanna River. American Whitewater is working with regional clubs and businesses to assure that paddler's interests are considered and met in the case that the project is carried out.

Lehigh River Management Announced (PA)

posted February 21, 2006
by Kevin Colburn
article photo
The Army Corps of Engineers recently announced its plans for operation of their dam that regulates the Lehigh River, for the 2006 recreation season.  The plan includes increasing storage in the reservoir to enhance their ability to provide both base flows and whitewater releases.The ACOE has adopted a commendably collaborative approach to optimizing the management of the Lehigh River, and deserve credit for being open to change and to involving all stakeholders.   

More News...

Upcoming Events

Calendar Control Date:
Calendar by Date by Title By Year

July 2008

S M T W T F S
29
30
1
2
3
4
 
Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

5
 
 
Lehigh River Releases
-

Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

6
 
 
Lehigh River Releases
-

2008 Savage River Release
10:00 am -4:00 pm est
These releases are dependent on several factors relating to water availability and water temperature. Be sure to call (410) 962-7687 or check the website prior to heading out. Times are estimates.

7
 
Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

8
9
10
11
 
 
Potomac Whitewater Festival
-

Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

12
 
 
Potomac Whitewater Festival
-

Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

13
 
Potomac Whitewater Festival
-

14
 
Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

15
16
17
18
 
Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

19
 
 
Lehigh River Releases
-

Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

20
 
Lehigh River Releases
-

21
 
Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

22
23
24
25
 
 
Adventure Games
-

Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

26
 
 
Adventure Games
-

Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -5:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600- cfs

27
 
Adventure Games
-

28
 
Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

29
30
31
1
2

Events
Upper Yough Releases Friendsville,MD starts 07/04/08
Lehigh River Releases Carbon County,PA starts 07/05/08
2008 Savage River Release Westernport,MD starts 07/06/08
Potomac Whitewater Festival Great Falls,MD starts 07/11/08
Adventure Games Deer Creek Lake,MD starts 07/25/08
Ohiopyle Over the Falls Festival Ohiopyle,PA starts 08/23/08
2008 US Whitewater Slalom National Championships McHenry,MD starts 08/30/08
2008 US Whitewater Slalom National Championships McHenry,MD starts 08/30/08
2008 US Whitewater Slalom National Championships McHenry,MD starts 08/30/08
Gauley River Releases Summersville,WV starts 09/05/08
AW Gauley River Festival Summersville,WV starts 09/19/08
2008 American Open McHenry,MD starts 10/03/08
Tohickon Releases Point Pleasant,PA starts 11/01/08
  (iCal)  

Events

Calendar Control Date:
Calendar by Date by Title By Year

July 2008

S M T W T F S
29
30
1
2
3
4
 
Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

5
 
 
Lehigh River Releases
-

Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

6
 
 
Lehigh River Releases
-

2008 Savage River Release
10:00 am -4:00 pm est
These releases are dependent on several factors relating to water availability and water temperature. Be sure to call (410) 962-7687 or check the website prior to heading out. Times are estimates.

7
 
Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

8
9
10
11
 
 
Potomac Whitewater Festival
-

Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

12
 
 
Potomac Whitewater Festival
-

Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

13
 
Potomac Whitewater Festival
-

14
 
Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

15
16
17
18
 
Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

19
 
 
Lehigh River Releases
-

Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

20
 
Lehigh River Releases
-

21
 
Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

22
23
24
25
 
 
Adventure Games
-

Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

26
 
 
Adventure Games
-

Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -5:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600- cfs

27
 
Adventure Games
-

28
 
Upper Yough Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm est
Standard releases are 600 CFS plus natural flow. 600-0 cfs

29
30
31
1
2

Events
Gauley River Releases Summersville,WV starts 09/05/08
Tohickon Releases Point Pleasant,PA starts 11/01/08
Upper Yough Releases Friendsville,MD starts 07/04/08
  (iCal)  

Associated Projects

  • Gauley River
    For many years AW has worked on the protection of this river and advocated for public access.
  • Upper Yough Releases
    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.
  • Lehigh River
    AW has worked with local paddling clubs to improve the recreational value of dam releases on the Lehigh
  • Upper Yough Access
    AW collaboratively manages the put in for the Upper Youghiogheny River in Western Maryland.

Related Groups

Volunteer Opportunities / Activities