Journal Moves to More Sustainable Production Model
10/15/2024 - by Evan Stafford
The new Sept/Oct American Whitewater Journal should be landing in your mailbox soon and you may notice it looks, feels, and maybe even smells a little different. You may also notice a couple of new logos inside this issue’s first few pages. The new look and feel, and these logos, represent our shift to using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper and to producing the Journal in a Pure Power certified facility that uses renewable energy sources. The team that produces the Journal has been eager to move to a more sustainable production model and reduce the environmental impact of the printed Journal. We explored some options and we’re happy to announce we’re now working with Modern Litho, a Pure Power facility, to help us achieve this with FSC-certified paper and the use of BioRenewable vegetable-based inks in their energy-efficient printing facility.
Celebration of Life for Chris Tulley Scheduled for Nov 2
10/10/2024 - by Evan Stafford
American Whitewater Board of Directors member, Chris Tulley, of Folsom, CA, passed away on Friday, October 4th while paddling the South Fork of the Feather River, near La Porte, California. The entire American Whitewater family is deeply saddened by his passing and eternally grateful for his dedication to our organization and river stewardship. Chris was a longtime contributor to American Whitewater in numerous ways, including in his service as a Board member, as a volunteer working closely with our California staff, and as a lifetime member. We offer our deepest condolences to his family and those closest to him, and also to the team he was paddling with, who made every effort to rescue him.
Reflections on Loss and Opportunity In Flood Ravaged Western North Carolina
10/09/2024 - by Kevin Colburn
I can still feel the lines in my body. I close my eyes and I run the Green Narrows in my mind, and my body feels every move. As I think about the rapids, certain muscles tense, like a dog chasing rabbits in its dreams. Following Hurricane Helene, these moves, these currents, these images are now just dreams of a river forever lost. And like a wonderful dream, I want to hold on to it, knowing it's all that is left of the Green Narrows I knew so well. When I multiply my grief by all the rivers in the path of the hurricane, and all the people who have come to know them so well, it’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the collective loss.
Forest Service Backs Elimination of Lochsa Area River Protections
10/09/2024 - by Kevin Colburn
The Nez Perce Clearwater National Forest recognized that 88 rivers on the National Forest lands they manage are eligible for Wild and Scenic designation. Normally this would mean the free-flowing nature and special values of these streams would be protected in a new forest management plan. Instead, the Nez Perce Clearwater National Forest used a sketchy political process to release 76! of those rivers from protection. American Whitewater and several other groups appealed their decision, and this week our appeal was essentially denied. The appeal decision requires the National Forest to address some logical and factual inconsistencies with how the agency released the rivers, but defends their ability to do so.
Image: John Webster
Montana Walks Back Proposed Fish Creek Paddling Ban
10/09/2024 - by Kevin Colburn
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (MTFWP) released their final Fish Creek Recreation Strategy earlier this week, in which they no longer propose to ban paddling as they had in their draft plan. We would like to thank MTFWP for listening to the public and eliminating what would have been a major mis-step in the management of the State’s rivers. The final plan does however contain concerning language around paddling, and the public should remain vigilant as the agency implements the plan. Specifically, the final plan states that “FWP will assess recreational floating, user conflicts, and the alteration of [woody debris]” with the goal to “Provide a high-quality wade fishing experience and protect fish habitat,” and based on the principle that, “when feasible, recreation uses will be separated to prevent conflict.” While monitoring and protecting habitat is appreciated, this framework continues to wrongly cast paddling as a threat to other users and habitat.
New Public Safety Conditions for PG&E’s Kerckhoff Hydroelectric Project (CA)
10/03/2024 - by Dave Steindorf
Last week, state and federal agencies mandated new safety and environmental measures for PG&E’s Kerckhoff Hydroelectric Project on the San Joaquin River (CA), following an advocacy effort by American Whitewater. The new conditions will reduce dangerous water surges and improve river health by requiring coordinated dam operations and natural flow releases. American Whitewater is calling on FERC to implement these safety measures immediately.
Hurricane Helene Update and Resources
10/03/2024 - by Bethany Overfield
Although we are devastated and overwhelmed by the magnitude of the destruction of Hurricane Helene, we are inspired by the resourceful heroes in our communities that are digging-in and finding multitudes of ways to help—scores of folks, many of whom are boaters, are leading the charge in recovery efforts. Our network is uniquely equipped as helpers, and we are grateful. Many people have reached out to ask us how they can help and where to direct funds. There are many wonderful organizations doing deeply impactful work. We’re happy to list a few of the local organizations we know working to address immediate needs in affected communities. This list will change over time as needs shift. A continually updated list will live at the bottom of this article.
Hurricane Helene Wreaks Havoc on River Community Including American Whitewater
09/30/2024 - by Evan Stafford
Massive flooding, landslides, and wind damage related to Hurricane Helene has put western North
Carolina, southeast Tennessee and other parts of the region in crisis, and many in our river
loving community, including members of the American Whitewater staff and board have been severely
affected. Infrastructure including modes of communication and roads critical to deliveries of
essential goods have been destroyed and it may be some time before anything resembling normal
business returns to the area. This includes American Whitewater offices and some staff, so please
forgive us in advance if we are slow to respond or we can not be reached.
In the coming days we’ll be sharing ways our community from far and wide can help as those
avenues become more clear, and in the meantime we’re sending all the love and healing vibes
we can to our friends and family who are feeling the effects of the widespread damage to one of
the true homes to American Whitewater, and to one of the longest standing and influential
communities of river runners in the country. Our hearts are with you and we’ll be making
ourselves available to help in any way that we can.
Georgia Committee Meeting on the Right to Paddle this Friday
09/16/2024 - by Kevin Colburn
A special state House study committee tasked with determining the public's rights to paddle on Georgia’s streams will hear from the public for the first time in a meeting scheduled for Sept. 20 at Unicoi State Park. The meeting could result in recommendations to dramatically curtail the public's right to paddle rivers in Georgia. Friday’s meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the lodge at Unicoi State Park, near Helen, GA. Following a presentation by the Department of Natural Resources, there is time set aside on the agenda for members of the public to provide comments. Paddlers are encouraged to attend the hearing and speak up for your right to paddle the state's rivers. American Whitewater and our partners will be urging lawmakers to preserve existing recreational river uses and protect the public’s ability to float down the state’s many rivers and streams.
Fall 2024 Update on California Whitewater Boating Releases
09/16/2024 - by Scott Harding
American Whitewater is excited to announce several fall 2024 whitewater boating releases in California, including multiple releases on the North Fork Feather, South Fork Feather, and Pit River in September and October. Plus, Feather Fest is coming right up on September 27-29 and we have opportunities for volunteers to help make the event a success! Read on for full details.
National Park Service Shares 2024 Gauley Season Details (WV)
08/23/2024 - by Kevin Colburn
American Whitewater is happy to share an open letter to boaters from the great rangers and staff of the Gauley River National Recreation Area, which contains some new information this year. This letter will keep you up to date on important management actions of the National Park Service on the Gauley River for the 2024 season. In addition, as part of our agreement with the land owner, there is no camping allowed on the Legg field that American Whitewater leases for overflow parking. As always, respect this and other private property. Enjoy, be safe, and be ready to help others out there.
Keep Updated on Rivers Affected by Fires with the AW Wildfire Info Map
07/25/2024 - by Scott Harding
It's peak fire season in much of the country and active wildfires are currently burning along several whitewater rivers in the West. Be sure to check the American Whitewater Wildfire Information Map for the latest details on whether there's an active wildfire that could affect your time on the river. It's the only map that combines detailed information on whitewater runs with constantly updated fire locations, air quality info, and more.
2024 Southeast Advanced Release Calendar Announced!
11/20/2023 - by Kevin Colburn
American Whitewater and our affiliate clubs have spent the past 25 years working to restore flows to incredible Southeastern rivers impacted by dams. A lot of our work has focused on releases and access on Class II and III rivers like the lower Nantahala, Tuckasegee, Hiwassee, and Catawba, but we also secured releases in some classic steeper reaches previously dewatered by hydroelectric diversions. Each year we meet with power companies and agencies to schedule future releases, review ongoing ecology studies, and discuss any issues with the release programs. We strive to create a schedule with minimal conflicts to maximize recreational value. In this article you'll find the 2024 dates for the Class IV/V Cheoah, Nantahala Cascades & Upper, West Fork Tuck, and Tallulah rivers.
Protection for the Headwaters of the Illinois and North Fork Smith Rivers (OR)
07/27/2023 - by Thomas O'Keefe
We are pleased to report that Representative Val Hoyle, the new representative for Oregon's 4th Congressional District has reintroduced the Southwestern Oregon Watershed and Salmon Protection Act (SOWSPA) as her first piece of conservation legislation. This legislation will permanently protect the headwaters of Southwest Oregon’s outstanding collection of wild rivers—including the National Wild and Scenic Illinois and the National Wild and Scenic North Fork Smith, plus Pistol River and Hunter Creek—from the threat of mining in the headwaters.
Local Coalition Celebrates Commission Ruling to Protect Colorado's Waters
09/09/2022 - by Kestrel Kunz
A Big Win for Rivers in the Sierra & Sequoia National Forests (CA)!
07/25/2022 - by Theresa Lorejo-Simsiman
The Sierra and Sequoia National Forests have released final forest land management plans containing protections for 498 miles of rivers found eligible for inclusion into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Since 2013, American Whitewater has been engaged in this forest planning process with the goal of getting California's whitewater resources included in the eligibility inventory and recognized for their outstandingly remarkable values. As a tenet of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, managing agencies like the Forest Service (USFS) provide interim protections for eligible river's free flowing character and outstandingly remarkable values until they can be designated by Congress.
American Whitewater Prevails in Case to Protect the Tuolumne River
06/21/2022 - by Theresa Lorejo-Simsiman
In a case before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, American Whitewater and our allies prevailed to uphold the Clean Water Act in protection of the Tuolumne River. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act which requires that any utility applying for a hydropower license that may discharge pollutants into waters of the United States must receive state certification ensuring the project complies with all state standards for beneficial use, water quality, and anti-degradation of the waterway. The case brought forth by the Modesto and Turlock Irrigation Districts (the Districts) challenged a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) order upholding California’s clean water certification for the Don Pedro and La Grange Hydropower Projects located on the Tuolumne River.
It’s Finally Time to Protect Colorado’s West Slope Rivers!
08/16/2021 - by Kestrel Kunz
Today, the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forest Unit announced the much-anticipated release of the Draft Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The Draft Plan materials were released on Friday, August 13, initiating a 90-day review period. The GMUG National Forest is home to gems like Oh-Be-Joyful Creek, the Taylor River, Norwood Canyon on the San Miguel, and numerous others. Many of these rivers are free-flowing and offer outstanding values, including paddling, breathtaking scenery, fish habitat, and profound history and culture. This point in the plan revision process is the most important time for the river community to engage and speak up to protect our beloved West Slope rivers in Colorado!
Black Canyon Put-In Closed for 2021 Season (CO)
04/06/2021 - by Kestrel Kunz
The National Park Service and Bureau of Reclamation announced this week that the East Portal Road which serves as the put-in for the Black Canyon section of the Gunnison River will be closed for maintenance for the duration of the 2021 season. While the road closure is an unfortunate obstacle for many this season, the needed maintenance of the road will lead to fewer unexpected road closures due to rockfall and will improve access to the Black Canyon for the long term. American Whitewater will track the status of the road closure and we will share an update as soon as access to the Black Canyon is reopened.
Train Operations in Eagle and Arkansas Corridors to Require Full Review (CO)
03/25/2021 - by Kestrel Kunz
This morning, the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) made a much-anticipated decision on the revival of the Tennessee Pass Rail Line - a 160-mile rail line that follows the Eagle and Arkansas Rivers between Sage and Parkdale, Colorado. The STB formally rejected Colorado, Midland and Pacific Railway’s (CMPR) request to be exempt from oversight and regulation of their proposed operation on the line, which would be leased under an agreement with Union Pacific. This decision comes nearly three months after CMPR filed a notice of exemption on December 31, 2020, as people were bringing in the new year.
