Pacific Northwest

In the Pacific Northwest, American Whitewater has been a driving force in restoring flows to rivers affected by hydropower, improving public access, and protecting free-flowing rivers through advocacy and policy leadership. Our work on rivers such as the Chelan, Sultan, and North Fork Rogue has restored water to riverbeds once dewatered by hydropower operations, revitalizing aquatic ecosystems and creating new opportunities for whitewater recreation. We have also played a leading role in the historic dam removals on the White Salmon, Klamath, and other rivers—helping reconnect communities to newly restored river corridors and ensuring public access to these remarkable landscapes as they return to life. Complementing this work, American Whitewater continues to champion new Wild and Scenic River designations and other protective measures that safeguard the region’s most cherished rivers for generations to come.