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.
Comments Needed on River Protection in the Arctic
04/06/2021 - by Kevin Colburn
A new proposed Bureau of Land Management (BLM) management plan for 55.7 million acres in Northern Alaska would fail to protect any of the 11 rivers their analysis finds to be eligible for Wild and Scenic designation. If you have paddled any of the affected rivers in this area we strongly encourage you to review the planning documents and submit comments in support of protection of Wild and Scenic River values in the Central Yukon Draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. Deadline is June 9, 2021.
North Fork Skykomish Road Repairs to Start (WA)
03/11/2021 - by Thomas O'Keefe
After years of engineering and environmental analysis, and some legal challenges at the end, reconstruction of the Index-Galena road is about to get underway this spring. This road provides the primary access to the North Fork Skykomish, which was one of the most popular class IV runs in the Skykomish River drainage prior to major flooding in 2006.
Representative Simpson Proposes a Bold New Vision for the Snake River (WA/OR/ID)
02/07/2021 - by Thomas O'Keefe
After three years of careful study and conversations, Representative Mike Simpson (R-ID-2) has released an Energy and Salmon Concept that includes a proposal to breach the four Lower Snake River Dams while making significant regional investments in salmon conservation, recreation, transportation, agriculture, and energy. American Whitewater supports the efforts of Representative Simpson to launch this converastion; we welcome the opportunity to engage in a dialogue on a proposal that would have a signficant impact on our work throughout the Columbia River basin for years to come.
Private Timberlands Bordering Classic Whitewater in Columbia Gorge For Sale
01/14/2021 - by Thomas O'Keefe
The pending sale of 101,000 acres of private timberland by SDS Lumber Company in Washington and Oregon represents an urgent, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conserve this vast landscape for wildlife, climate, recreation, and local communities. These lands include portions of the watersheds of the White Salmon, Little White Salmon, Klickitat, and Hood Rivers. American Whitewater is engaged with leaders in the local paddling community, conservation groups, and land trusts to prevent conversion and fragmentation of this landscape that could occur with a sale. Our preferred outcome is conservation of the most ecologically sensitive lands in the river corridor, uplands retained as working forest in a manner that provides economic and recreational benefits for the community benefits, formalization of river access sites that are open to the public, and recognition that these lands are within the Yakama Nation’s ceded area that presents opportunities for restorative justice.
Plan to Improve North Fork Nooksack River (WA) Finalized
01/14/2021 - by Thomas O'Keefe
For the past several years American Whitewater has worked with the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Conservation Assistance Program, American Rivers, Whatcom Land Trust, the Nooksack Tribe, Washington Department of Natural Resources, and Washington Department of Transportation to address serious safety issues associated with the primary take-out for the North Fork Nooksack River at milepost 27. While the run starts on National Forest Service lands, paddlers are left to find their own take-out along a river reach that flows through lands that are predominately owned by private landowners. We are pleased to report that we have developed a plan and are in the process of securing funding for a formal access in the vicinity of Maple Creek at milepost 27 that will provide parking and river acess off the highway.
States, Tribes, and Dam Owner Announce Agreement for Klamath River Dam Removal
12/10/2020 - by Thomas O'Keefe
Last month, California Governor Gavin Newsom joined with Oregon Governor Kate Brown, leaders of the Yurok and Karuk Tribes, and Berkshire Hathaway-owned PacifiCorp in announcing an agreement to provide additional resources and support to advance the most ambitious salmon restoration effort in history. The project, when completed, will address declines in fish populations, improve river health, and renew Tribal communities and cultures. The restored river will also provide new opportunities for recreational boating.
New Dam Proposed for Chehalis River (WA): Take Action and Comment
04/02/2020 - by Thomas O'Keefe
The Chehalis River has one of Washington state's longest continuous sections of Class III whitewater, yet it remains relatively unknown to many paddlers due to access issues involving restrictive policies of a private timber company. A new flood control dam proposal would eliminate 14 miles of this wild and free-flowing Class III whitewater (West Fork to Pe Ell), forever keeping paddlers from discovering this underused trove of quality whitewater in southwestern Washington. Paddlers and other river enthusiasts have an opportunity to provide input on the fate of the Chehalis River by submitting a comment on their Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Take this opportunity to comment and help protect this free-flowing river today! Take Action Today
Associated News
Foundation of the BC Rivers Alliance
8/24/2007
New Study: Enloe Project on Similkameen River Not Cost Effective (WA)
1/24/2012
AW Comments on NF Snoqualmie Hydro Project
12/12/2012
Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven Wilderness on the John Day
12/22/2012
Supporting Mining Clean Up In Opal Creek Headwaters (OR)
1/16/2013
AW Comments on Proposed Sunset Falls Hydro Project (WA)
7/19/2013
Middle Fork Snoqualmie Legislation Continues to Move Forward (WA)
8/1/2013
NWPCC Deadline Extended - Speak Up for Freely Flowing PNW Rivers!
7/1/2014
Sultan River (WA) Summer Release Update
7/19/2019
Associated Projects
Canyon Creek (WA)
This spectacular creek has been threatened by a proposal for hydropower development.
Read MoreChehalis
American Whitewater is committed to the stewardship and conservation of the Chehalis River where a new dam is proposed.
Read MoreCispus River Access (WA)
AW has been working to enforce requirements for public access to the Cispus River.
Read MoreClackamas Stewardship (OR)
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.
Read MoreConservation System
The National Landscape Conservation System represents the crown jewels of BLM lands and rivers.
Read MoreElwha Restoration (WA)
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.
Read MoreGreen River (WA)
AW works with partners to protect flows and the scenic landscape of the Green River Gorge.
Read MoreGreenway Whitewater (WA)
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.
Read MoreHood River Access
American Whitewater is committed to securing public access for the Hood River and its major tributaries.
Read MoreKalmiopsis Rivers (OR/CA)
American Whitewater is working to protect the wild rivers of Southwestern Oregon and Northern California from the threats of nickel strip mines.
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 MoreMiddle Fork Snoqualmie (WA)
AW has been working on resource stewardship along the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie in Washington and protecting this drainage for the incredible recreational opportunities it provides.
Read MoreMilner Whitewater (ID)
AW supports the efforts of local paddlers who have advocated for whitewater recreation on the Milner Mile.
Read MoreNooksack Stewardship (WA)
Public access, hydropower development, and resource stewardship are all ongoing issues on this river system.
Read MoreNorth Fork Rogue (OR)
We worked to restore flows, provide public access, and made flow information available to provide boating opportunities on this river.
Read MoreNorth Fork Snoqualmie- WA
American Whitewater is committed to the conservation of the North Fork Snoqualmie.
Read MoreOkanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (WA)
The Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests are home to some great whitewater runs and AW has in interest in protecting the resource values of these rivers.
Read MoreOregon Navigability
AW works to keep the rivers of Oregon open and accessible to the boating public.
Read MoreOwyhee Conservation
American Whitewater advocates for the protection of the Owyhee Canyonlands.
Read MoreProtecting the Ashlu (BC)
A hydropower project is now being constructed on this wonderful creek in Southwest British Columbia.
Read MorePuyallup Watershed (WA)
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.
Read MoreRestoring the Rogue (OR)
One of the great Rivers of the West, preserving the the Wild Rogue and restoring upstream reaches impacted by dams are priorities for American Whitewater.
Read MoreSimilkameen River (BC/WA)
American Whitewater supports conservation and restoration of the Similkameen River.
Read MoreSkagit Wild and Scenic (WA)
Public access, riparian protection, and effective resource stewardship are all important to management of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River.
Read MoreSkykomish Stewardship (WA)
AW is actively engaged in the conservation of the Skykomish River and its tributaries and advocacy for public access.
Read MoreSnake River Restoration (ID, OR, WA)
American Whitewater is working with a coalition of partners to restore the Snake and Salmon Rivers in Idaho for fish and paddlers.
Read MoreSullivan Creek (WA)
Two dams in the Sullivan Creek watershed no longer generate power. One was removed in 2017 as the result of a 2010 Settlement Agreement.
Read MoreSultan River (WA)
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.
Read MoreSunset Falls Hydropower Development
Sunset Falls on the Skykomish River has been proposed for hydropower development.
Read MoreVolcano Country (OR/WA)
The rivers of Volcano Country within and surrounding the Gifford Pinchot National Forest represent some of the nation's most spectacular whitewater resources.
Read MoreWhite Salmon Restoration (WA)
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.
Read MoreWild Olympics (WA)
A campaign to protect the free-flowing rivers of the Olympic Peninsula.
Read MoreUpcoming Events
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10:00 am -4:00 pm america/los_angeles Day 1 of a release weekend is 250 cfs, Day 2 of a release weekend is up to 450 cfs depending on flow available. 450-250 cfs |
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10:00 am -4:00 pm america/los_angeles Day 1 of a release weekend is 250 cfs, Day 2 of a release weekend is up to 450 cfs depending on flow available. 450-250 cfs |
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Events
| Chelan Gorge release |
Chelan,WA
runs 07/11/09 - 09/22/19 [+] favorites |
| North Fork Rogue Releases |
Prospect,OR
runs 07/18/09 - 09/06/21, next 08/21/21 [+] favorites |
| Wenatchee River Festival |
Cashmere,WA
runs 06/09/12 - 07/09/16 [+] favorites |
| Green River Cleanup |
Black Diamond, WA,WA
runs 05/05/12 - 05/03/20 [+] favorites |
| Northwest Creeking Competition |
Yacolt,WA
runs 04/21/12 - 04/13/19 [+] favorites |
| SkyFest |
Index,WA
runs 07/04/13 - 05/08/16 [+] favorites |
| Sultan River Whitewater Release |
Sultan,WA
runs 04/25/15 - 09/08/19 [+] favorites |
| Cispus River Open Gate Days |
Morton,WA
runs 01/28/17 - 11/04/17 [+] favorites |
(iCal)