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.

Improved Flow Releases Begin on Sullivan Creek (WA)

09/03/2020 - by Kevin Colburn

Releases from Sullivan Lake will begin ramping Sullivan Creek flows up to boatable levels immediately following Labor Day next week, and will maintain elevated flows for much of the fall. Historic fall drawdown releases were modified to be earlier in the fall, colder, at lower flows, and to have a slower ramp-up through a 2010 Settlement Agreement that American Whitewater worked on extensively. These changes make the draw-down releases better for fish, better for paddling, and more valuable to downstream water users and the local utility and rate-payers. The removal of Mill Pond Dam required the negotiated flow schedule be delayed for several years following approval. With the dam now removed, the new flows will begin.

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

Legislation With Over 1000 Miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers Passes House

02/12/2020 - by Thomas O'Keefe

This week the U.S. House of Representatives passed a package of public lands and waters legislation. This legislation, known as Protecting America's Wilderness Act (H.R. 2546), amends the Colorado Wilderness Act of 2019 by combining several bills we have worked on and includes 1,048 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers in Washington and California. The primary bills of interest to the whitewater paddling community that are included in this legislation are Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act (originally H.R. 2250); Central Coast Heritage Protection Act (originally H.R. 2199); San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act (originally H.R. 2215); and Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (originally H.R. 2642). The legislation also includes the Colorado Wilderness Act (H.R. 2546) and protections for the Dolores River Canyon. The bill will be sent to the Senate for consideration.

Owyhee Canyonlands Legislation Introduced (OR)

11/08/2019 - by Thomas O'Keefe

This week's introduction of the Malheur County Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act (S. 2828) represents a historic move to protect over 1.1 million acres of public lands as wilderness in Malheur County centered around the Owyhee Canyonlands. The legislation also includes protection for an additional 14.7 miles of the Owyhee River as Wild and Scenic.

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Calendar Control Date:
Calendar by Date by Title

August 2021
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21 North Fork Rogue Releases 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
22 North Fork Rogue Releases 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	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30	31	1	2	3	4

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)

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 Joins Effort to Protect Punch Bowl Falls (OR)
7/10/2012

Down the River Clean Up - Clackamas - Sept. 9th!
9/4/2012

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

Interior Recommends Removing Klamath River Dams
4/8/2013

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.

Celestial Falls (OR)

Conservation and enjoyment of the waterfall is important for AW

Chehalis

American Whitewater is committed to the stewardship and conservation of the Chehalis River where a new dam is proposed.

Chelan (WA)

AW has worked to restore flows and provide public access to the Chelan Gorge

Cispus River Access (WA)

AW has been working to enforce requirements for public access to the Cispus River.

Clackamas 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.

Clean Water Act

American Whitewater's advocacy to protect water quality.

Conservation System

The National Landscape Conservation System represents the crown jewels of BLM lands and rivers.

Elwha 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.

Green River (WA)

AW works with partners to protect flows and the scenic landscape of the Green River Gorge.

Greenway 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.

Hood River Access

American Whitewater is committed to securing public access for the Hood River and its major tributaries.

Kalmiopsis 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.

Klamath Restoration (OR & CA)

American Whitewater supports restoration of the Klamath River for the benefit of salmon while providing appropriate opportunities for whitewater recreation.

Middle 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.

Milner Whitewater (ID)

AW supports the efforts of local paddlers who have advocated for whitewater recreation on the Milner Mile.

Nooksack Stewardship (WA)

Public access, hydropower development, and resource stewardship are all ongoing issues on this river system.

North Fork Rogue (OR)

We worked to restore flows, provide public access, and made flow information available to provide boating opportunities on this river.

North Fork Snoqualmie- WA

American Whitewater is committed to the conservation of the North Fork Snoqualmie.

Okanogan-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.

Oregon Navigability

AW works to keep the rivers of Oregon open and accessible to the boating public.

Owyhee Conservation

American Whitewater advocates for the protection of the Owyhee Canyonlands.

Protecting the Ashlu (BC)

A hydropower project is now being constructed on this wonderful creek in Southwest British Columbia.

Puyallup 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.

Restoring 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.

Similkameen River (BC/WA)

American Whitewater supports conservation and restoration of the Similkameen River.

Skagit Wild and Scenic (WA)

Public access, riparian protection, and effective resource stewardship are all important to management of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River.

Skykomish Stewardship (WA)

AW is actively engaged in the conservation of the Skykomish River and its tributaries and advocacy for public access.

Snake 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.

Sullivan 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.

Sultan 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.

Sunset Falls Hydropower Development

Sunset Falls on the Skykomish River has been proposed for hydropower development.

Susitna (AK)

A hydropower project on the Susitna would drown Devil's Canyon.

Volcano 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.

White 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.

Wild Olympics (WA)

A campaign to protect the free-flowing rivers of the Olympic Peninsula.