AW in the Lower Pacific
American Whitewater’s conservation program focuses on dam relicensing and continued protection of key watersheds on public land. American Whitewater is a founding member and current Steering Committee member of the California Hydropower Reform Coalition. American Whitewater has participated in the relicensing of 22 hydro projects throughout the state. Our goals are to secure annually scheduled whitewater releases, access improvements, real time flow information and improved instream flows for river ecological purposes.
Many of the California and Southern Oregon Rivers are in Dick Schwind's California Guidebook

Take Action: Call for a Hearing on Oroville Dam (CA)
04/27/2017 - by Megan Hooker
Earlier this year, two spillways at Oroville Dam on the Feather River in California became severely compromised, prompting the evacuation of approximately 188,000 people. The impact of the failure of these spillways continues to have a significant impact on the river and downstream communities. Those who live downstream of Oroville Dam–along with citizens across the country who live in the shadow of high-hazard hydropower dams–deserve to understand what happened, the full impacts, and what is being done about it. American Whitewater is joining with others to call for a Congressional hearing into these issues and ensure that the public has a voice in the process. Learn more about how you can help our efforts…

CA State Water Board Orders More Water For Butte Creek
08/18/2016 - by Dave Steindorf
The California State Water Resources Control Board has ordered the decommissioning of the Centerville Powerhouse on Butte Creek to protect spring run salmon. This is part of a relicensing agreement that American Whitewater has been working on since 2003. As a result, Butte Creek, located in Northern California will be receiving more water.

New Gauges On The Kern River
12/01/2015 - by Dave Steindorf
After 3 years of discussion and negotiation with Southern California Edison and the US Forest Service the Kern River has several new online flow gauges on the Upper Kern River. These gauges will replace the cumbersome and antiquated flow phone that was part of the Kern River #3 license.
Improved Flows on the Yuba - One Step Closer (CA)
12/29/2014 - by Dave Steindorf
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Yuba/Bear and Drum Spaulding projects in Northern California. Our review of this 1000 page documents says that it spells good things for boaters.

AW Calls for Public Hearing - River Access & Bridges in CA
07/09/2012 - by Megan Hooker
Under utilized provisions of the California Streets and Highway Code require that an Access Feasibility Study be conducted when a new bridge is built, and American Whitewater wants to make sure they are completed. Today, American Whitewater requested a public hearing regarding the Access Feasibility Study that was done for the SR 99 Bridge over the Feather River conducted by Caltrans. This is a good opportunity for California residents to get involved and improve river access - not just on the Feather, but on any new bridge project in your area!

DWR Releases Oroville Whitewater Park Feasibility Study (CA)
02/02/2010 - by Dave Steindorf
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released the whitewater park feasibility study on the Feather River in Oroville California. Download the report and attend the meeting on February 4th in Oroville.
Upcoming Events
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08:00 am -6:00 pm america/los_angeles Actual flow can vary depending on inflow. 900 cfs |
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CA, Pit 1 Releases
08:00 am -6:00 pm america/los_angeles Actual flow can vary depending on inflow. 900 cfs |
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CA, Pit 1 Releases
08:00 am -6:00 pm america/los_angeles Actual flow can vary depending on inflow. 900 cfs |
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CA, Pit 1 Releases
08:00 am -6:00 pm america/los_angeles Actual flow can vary depending on inflow. 900 cfs |
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CA, Pit 5 Releases
10:00 pm -4:00 pm america/los_angeles 1500 cfs |
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CA, Pit 5 Releases
10:00 pm -4:00 pm america/los_angeles 1500 cfs |
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CA, Pit 1 Releases
08:00 am -6:00 pm america/los_angeles Actual flow can vary depending on inflow. 900 cfs |
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CA, Pit 1 Releases
08:00 am -6:00 pm america/los_angeles Actual flow can vary depending on inflow. 900 cfs |
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Events
Associated News
Comment Deadline Extended for Yosemite's Merced River Plan
4/16/2013
West Coast River Touring by Dick Schwind
12/17/2015
Green Utility Takes Surprising Direction - Upper American River Project (CA)
4/6/2017
Mosquito Road Bridge Access - SFA below Slab Creek Reservoir (CA)
5/10/2017
Conservation Groups Release New Report on Oroville Dam Spillway Incident
9/19/2017
Wild and Scenic Study Report Released for Mokelumne (CA)
2/7/2018
Long Time Coming: Whitewater Releases on the Poe Section of the NF Feather (CA)!
12/20/2018
Associated Projects
Conservation System
The National Landscape Conservation System represents the crown jewels of BLM lands and rivers.
Read MoreKlamath Restoration (OR & CA)
American Whitewater supports restoration of the Klamath River for the benefit of salmon while providing appropriate opportunities for whitewater recreation.
Read MoreMcCloud (CA)
American Whitewater has been involved with the FERC relicensing process for the McCloud River below McCloud Dam since 2006.
Read MoreMerced Wild and Scenic River
American Whitewater's advocacy to maintain the boundary of the Merced Wild and Scenic Merced River.
Read MoreMokelumne (CA)
AW negotiated releases, access, and other previsions on the Mokelumne through a dam relicensing process.
Read MoreSan Joaquin (CA)
The "Big Creek" dam relicensing on the San Joaquin River is one of AW's landmark river restoration successes in California
Read MoreSan Joaquin River Gorge Protection
American Whitewater is working to protect the San Joaquin River Gorge and preserve and its free-flowing nature.
Read MoreYosemite Whitewater (CA)
AW advocates for opportunities to enjoy the unique and spectacular rivers of Yosemite National Park.
Read MoreYuba and Bear Rivers (CA)
The Yuba and Bear rivers are some of the best whitewater resources in California. American Whitewater is an active participant in the FERC relicensing negotiations that impact these rivers.
Read MoreAssociated Rivers
Documents
- West Coast River Touring
A whitewater guidebook to the Pacific Coast of the United States from the Rogue River to the Salinas Valley in California.