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.
New Dam Proposed for Chehalis River (WA): Take Action and Comment
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
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)
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.
Oregon Waterway Access Bill Set to Become Law
This week, Oregon House Bill 2835 re-passed the Oregon House on a 52-7 vote. Having earlier cleared the Senate, the bill now awaits a signature from the Governor to be signed into law. For decades, opportunities to protect and improve the ability of the public to access and legally use waterways for recreation have seen minimal progress, while efforts to severely limit access have been a consistent threat. Oregon House Bill 2835 is a pivotal piece of legislation in Oregon, and the first proactive waterway access bill in recent history to have made it through the state legislature.
Upcoming Events
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North Fork Rogue Releases
10:00 am -4:00 pm pst 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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North Fork Rogue Releases
10:00 am -4:00 pm pst 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 - 09/07/20, next 08/22/20 [+] 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
AW Comments on NF Snoqualmie Hydro Project
12/12/2012
Sultan River (WA) Summer Release Update
7/19/2019
Associated Projects
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Canyon Creek (WA)
This spectacular creek has been threatened by a proposal for hydropower development. |
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Celestial Falls (OR)
Conservation and enjoyment of the waterfall is important for AW |
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Chehalis
American Whitewater is committed to the stewardship and conservation of the Chehalis River where a new dam is proposed.
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Chelan (WA)
AW has worked to restore flows and provide public access to the Chelan Gorge |
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Cispus River Access (WA)
AW has been working to enforce requirements for public access to the Cispus River. |
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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. |
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Clean Water Act
American Whitewater's advocacy to protect water quality. |
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Conservation System
The National Landscape Conservation System represents the crown jewels of BLM lands and rivers. |
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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. |
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Green River (WA)
AW works with partners to protect flows and the scenic landscape of the Green River Gorge. |
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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. |
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Hood River Access
American Whitewater is committed to securing public access for the Hood River and its major tributaries. |
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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. |
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Klamath Restoration (OR & CA)
American Whitewater supports restoration of the Klamath River for the benefit of salmon while providing appropriate opportunities for whitewater recreation.
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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. |
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Milner Whitewater (ID)
AW supports the efforts of local paddlers who have advocated for whitewater recreation on the Milner Mile. |
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Nooksack Stewardship (WA)
Public access, hydropower development, and resource stewardship are all ongoing issues on this river system. |
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North Fork Rogue (OR)
We worked to restore flows, provide public access, and made flow information available to provide boating opportunities on this river. |
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North Fork Snoqualmie- WA
American Whitewater is committed to the conservation of the North Fork Snoqualmie. |
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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. |
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Oregon Navigability
AW works to keep the rivers of Oregon open and accessible to the boating public. |
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Owyhee Conservation
American Whitewater advocates for the protection of the Owyhee Canyonlands. |
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Protecting the Ashlu (BC)
A hydropower project is now being constructed on this wonderful creek in Southwest British Columbia. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Similkameen River (BC/WA)
American Whitewater supports conservation and restoration of the Similkameen River. |
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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. |
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Skykomish Stewardship (WA)
AW is actively engaged in the conservation of the Skykomish River and its tributaries and advocacy for public access. |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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Sunset Falls Hydropower Development
Sunset Falls on the Skykomish River has been proposed for hydropower development. |
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Susitna (AK)
A hydropower project on the Susitna would drown Devil's Canyon. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Wild Olympics (WA)
A campaign to protect the free-flowing rivers of the Olympic Peninsula. |