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.
Klamath River Dam Removal Takes an Important Step Forward (OR/CA)
08/27/2022 - by Thomas O'Keefe
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has just released a final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) which recommends the removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River. This is the final step of analysis, and a federal decision to authorize removal of the dams is expected later this year, with dam removal taking place in 2024. This would be the largest dam removal project in the world.
Take Action: Provide Comment to Restore the Snake River
07/06/2022 - by Thomas O'Keefe
American Whitewater supports breaching the four lower Snake River Dams and believes the environmental and social justice costs of these dams outweigh the services and benefits they provide. In addition to benefits for salmon and steelhead, breaching these dams would open up a new segment of free-flowing river in a region where current demand for river-based recreation exceeds capacity. We also believe the removal of these dams is a more effective solution to address struggling salmon runs than limits that have been placed on recreational boaters. Governor Inslee and Senator Murray are currently soliciting public comment through July 11th on the Lower Snake River Dams: Benefit Replacement Draft Report.
Clackamas River Open for River Runners (OR)
05/01/2022 - by Thomas O'Keefe
We are pleased to report that the Clackamas River corridor is now open and available to the
public. Oregon Highway 224 above Estacada was re-opened Sunday May 1st after a closure that was
implemented in September 2020 following the Riverside Fire and lasted 20 months. While we are
pleased that the river corridor has been re-opened, we believe the amount of tree removal was
excessive, the length of the closure was longer than necessary, and the Forest Service did not
appropriately engage the public. American Whitewater is actively coordinating with other user
groups and will continue to explore potential administrative and legislative actions to provide
greater accountability and transparency for how closures are implemented and communicated to the
public.
Electron Dam Operator Signs Agreement to Protect Puyallup River (WA)
03/25/2022 - by Thomas O'Keefe
A coalition of conservation groups has reached an agreement with the operators of the Electron hydroelectric project on the Puyallup River to preserve safeguards for threatened Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout. The groups had sued over the facility’s illegal killing of these imperiled fish. The agreement will keep the project from operating until and unless operators can address the project’s unacceptable impacts to federally protected native fish threatened with extinction.
Klamath River Dam Removal Takes Important Step Forward (OR/CA)
02/28/2022 - by Thomas O'Keefe
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the proposed removal of four Klamath River dams, recommending that the dams be removed. FERC confirmed that dam removal will bring permanent and significant benefits to multiple resources, including fisheries, water quality, and recreation. This represents an important step for the project to move forward in 2023. The public is now invited to comment by April 18th [extended to April 25th] on the DEIS which describes the impacts and benefits of the project.
Take Action: Clackamas Fires Roadside Danger Tree Assessment Comment Opportunity
02/03/2022 - by Thomas O'Keefe
The Clackamas River, one of the most important paddling resources for the Pacific Northwest, remains closed several months after wildfires that occurred in September 2020. Currently the Forest Service is in the process of developing an Environmental Assessment to evaluate the status of National Forest System roads and danger trees within the areas affected by the 2020 wildfires, which include the Riverside, Lionshead, and Bull Complex Fires. The agency is soliciting public input through February 6, 2022 and we encourage the paddling community to provide comment.
Sale of SDS Lumber Company Complete (WA)
11/19/2021 - by Thomas O'Keefe
This week three entities with strong Northwest ties and deep expertise in timberlands, forest conservation, and mill operations have acquired portions of SDS Lumber Company and SDS Co, LLC. The sale was finalized on November 17. The unique consortium, comprised of Seattle-based Silver Creek Capital’s fund Twin Creeks Timber, LLC, The Conservation Fund, and Carson, Washington-based WKO, Inc., designed and put forth a purchase solution for the SDS Lumber Company and SDS Co, LLC that continues sustainable timber harvesting and mill operations while providing a path for the forestlands to be permanently conserved in the future for wildlife, recreation, and community benefits. Included in the transaction are over 96,080 acres of timberlands with environmental and community importance near the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon and the lumber and plywood mills and associated assets in Bingen, Wash.
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.
Associated News
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.
Smith River (CA/OR)
The Smith River is known for exceptional water quality and is free flowing from the headwaters to the ocean.
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.
Upcoming Events
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Events
| Chelan Gorge release |
Chelan,WA
runs 07/11/09 - 09/18/22 [+] favorites |
| North Fork Rogue Releases |
Prospect,OR
runs 07/18/09 - 09/04/23, next 08/19/23 [+] 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 - 08/13/22 [+] favorites |
| Cispus River Open Gate Days |
Morton,WA
runs 01/28/17 - 11/04/17 [+] favorites |
(iCal)