Articles - American Whitewater

Additional Releases Proposed on New River Dries (WV)

March 10, 2026

Big changes are likely on the way for the New River Dries–including 32 releases annually! Thanks to a proposed overhaul of the Hawksnest Hydropower Project, American Whitewater, outfitters, the state of West Virginia, and others have negotiated proposed additional releases for this awesome section of river. Last week, the project owner filed an application with federal regulators that, if approved, would allow them to begin their construction project and lock in decades of flow improvements. Boaters will be excited to

Penstock Fails at New Colgate Powerhouse on North Yuba River (CA)

March 5, 2026

A major penstock failure on the North Yuba River could take years to repair. Flows will be significantly different for several reaches of the Yuba, and additional boating opportunities might arise. On February 13, 2026, the 14 ft diameter penstock for the Yuba Water Agency’s New Colgate Powerhouse ruptured. The rupture released nearly 400 acre-feet of water and caused significant damage to the hill slope, riparian area, the Yuba River, and Yuba Water infrastructure. A debris flow transported sediment, oil,

Public Safety and the San Joaquin River Gorge (CA)

March 5, 2026

The San Joaquin River below Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s (PG&E) Kerckhoff Hydroelectric Project is more than a power generation reach—it’s a heavily visited public recreation corridor where the speed at which the river rises and falls can mean the difference between safe use and sudden danger. Flowing through the Bureau of Land Management’s San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area, this stretch winds through granite walls and Class III–V whitewater, just an hour outside Fresno. Federal land managers

Floaters No Trespassing Sign Pine NF S Platte

Colorado Stream Access Donations Matched Thru April 1!

March 4, 2026

The fight to secure your right to float on Colorado streams continues. We have an exciting opportunity to make your support go further! Our partner, Colorado Whitewater, has offered $10,000 in matching funds for all donations to the Colorado Stream Access Fund starting today through the end of April. Double your donation by contributing today! We are up against a powerful and well-resourced opposition looking to privatize rivers for a select few. With an incredible lobby and legal team, we

Flathead Draft River Management Plan Open for Comment (MT)

March 4, 2026

The Flathead National Forest has released their Draft Comprehensive River Management Plan for the Wild and Scenic forks of the Flathead River, and is now seeking public comment. Little has changed with their plan since the “proposed action” they released for public comment over a year ago. Boaters are encouraged to submit a public comment by the March 13th deadline. Located in northwest Montana, the forks of the Flathead River offer boaters the chance to fly, hike, ride a horse,

Upper American River Project (CA) 2026 Whitewater Releases

March 4, 2026

Image: Slab Creek Run release flows. Photo by Darin McQuoid. Slab Creek & South Fork Silver Creek Each year, American Whitewater plays an active role in implementing the recreation provisions of the Upper American River Project, the hydropower project owned and operated by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). American Whitewater participates in annual implementation meetings, reviews hydrologic forecasts, tracks snowpack and precipitation trends, and works directly with SMUD to align release dates and target flows with both operating license

Group portaging a raft around Dryden Dam on the Wenatchee River using a portage cart.

Help Shape the Future of Dryden Dam River Access on the Wenatchee River (WA)

March 3, 2026

The Dryden Dam water access site is one of the most heavily used and important public river access points on the Wenatchee River. For many people, it’s the starting point for a day on the water. For others, it’s a key portage location, a fishing access area, or simply a place to get to the river and enjoy the Wenatchee Valley’s remarkable natural setting. The site has a long history of public use. Prior to being acquired by the Washington

Image of a simple river access area left as part of a bridge project

Support Today Could Help Pass WV Bridge Access Bill

March 2, 2026

SB 708 is West Virginia legislation that would encourage the integration of river access features into bridge projects.

Kayaker paddling high water river Klamath River

Sudden Flow Increase Expected on Klamath River (Feb. 20, 2026)

February 18, 2026

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) will conduct a sediment flushing release from Keno Dam near Klamath Falls, Oregon beginning February 20 around 6 to 8 AM. Flows are expected to increase rapidly by 4,000 cfs, followed by a gradual ramp-down to approximately 700 cfs by early March. While this release will create high-water boating opportunities on the Klamath River below Keno Dam as flows ramp down, boaters and other river users should be aware of potentially dangerous, sudden increases

Green River (VT): After 15 Years Whitewater Releases Set to Begin

February 12, 2026

American Whitewater, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Trout Unlimited, and Vermont Natural Reources Council reached an agreement with Morrisville Water & Light, the owner of a hydropower dam on the Green River, to begin implementing state water quality requirements including whitewater releases from the Green River Dam in Morrisville. After more than 15 years of advocacy for whitewater releases led by American Whitewater in partnership with affilliate Vermont Paddlers Club, the dam owner has finally agreed to implement Vermont’s Clean

How Long Can You Paddle? Peter Weingarten Proved It’s As Long As You Want

February 11, 2026

Peter Weingarten was an Enduring Rivers Circle member, a group of river loving individuals who have made bequests on behalf of American Whitewater. To learn more about legacy giving, check out this article, our Enduring River Circle webpage, or contact bethany@americanwhitewater.org. This article first appeared in the May/June 2023 issue of the American Whitewater Journal. BOTH INDIVIDUAL RIVERS AND INDIVIDUAL paddlers can be integral elements of a local white-water community. The North Fork of the South Platte River southwest of

Long exposure of the 92-foot Abiqua Falls in Oregon cascading into a rocky canyon in autumn.

Protect Abiqua Falls: A Rare Opportunity to Keep an Oregon Treasure Public

February 11, 2026

Abiqua Falls is one of Oregon’s most iconic waterfalls—a stunning 92-foot cascade tucked into the forested canyon of Abiqua Creek near Scotts Mills. For decades, it has drawn hikers, photographers, swimmers, and whitewater paddlers who value the falls not only for its natural beauty, but also as part of Oregon’s rich river recreation landscape. Although the land has been privately owned for more than a century, public access has generally been allowed, making Abiqua Falls a cherished destination for generations

Take Action to Protect Flows in the Grand Canyon and Colorado River Basin!

February 10, 2026

A long-awaited public process for the future of the Colorado River has arrived, offering you a chance to influence how flows in the Grand Canyon and the entire Colorado River watershed are managed. This month, the Bureau of Reclamation is accepting input on how Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams will be operated into the future and how water will be allocated throughout the basin in the face of severely reduced water supplies. These decisions will directly affect the health of

Welcome to the New American Whitewater Website

February 3, 2026

American Whitewater is excited to share the launch of our new website! The new site offers our community enhanced opportunities to get involved, learn about, and support our work on a modern and visually compelling platform.

NC Stream Access Case Ends with Public Rights Intact

February 2, 2026

On January 30, 2026, a second appeal was dropped ending the contested case that challenged the rights of the public to recreate on sections of the Boone Fork and Watauga River in North Carolina. It has been a long time since American Whitewater reported on the case brought by a private development that borders short sections of both streams, but the primary focus of the case was whether the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission had a duty to enforce fishing

A Rogue River Adventure with American Whitewater

January 15, 2026

In June 2026, American Whitewater members are invited to join American Whitewater staff and board members for an exclusive trip on Oregon’s renowned Rogue River—one of the nation’s first designated Wild and Scenic Rivers. This trip blends outstanding whitewater, beautiful canyon scenery, and time to connect with American Whitewater’s mission and work. The trip will be fully outfitted by Northwest Rafting Company and includes professional guides, exceptional meals, all river equipment, and transportation to and from Galice. Participants may bring

Yankee Jim’s Access Delays, NF American River (CA)

January 15, 2026

Placer County Public Works has recently informed American Whitewater that planned walk-in access to Yankee Jim’s Bridge for paddling the Ponderosa/Shirttail section of the North Fork American will not be available for the 2026 paddling season or may not occur until very late in the spring. Several factors have contributed to the delay of access. Recent storms have caused soil saturation that is hampering contractors’ ability to complete earthmoving work without erosion or water quality impacts. This same soil saturation

Securing Safe and Lawful River Passage in Colorado

January 14, 2026

The Colorado legislative session kicks off on Wednesday January 14th and American Whitewater has already had our lobby team at the Capitol talking with lawmakers about the importance of securing legal protections for people enjoying rivers. American Whitewater, Colorado Whitewater, and the American Canoe Association founded the Responsible River Recreation Alliance this past fall and continue to grow our coalition. That group is pursuing a bill in Colorado’s 2026 legislative session to clarify the public’s lawful ability to float, scout, and

Join American Whitewater on the Middle Fork of the Salmon (ID)

January 14, 2026

American Whitewater is pleased to offer a special six-day journey on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River, widely considered one of the crown jewels of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This trip takes place July 2–7, one of the most sought-after weeks of the season for ideal flows, warm weather, and stunning wilderness scenery. The trip will be led by renowned kayak guide Phil DeReimer and the exceptional team at ARTA River Trips. You’ll be joined on the

It’s Permit Season!

January 14, 2026

It’s now time to start thinking about multi-day trips for next year and there are several great opportunities on Western Rivers. Many of these rivers require you to fill out a lottery application and deadlines are coming up. Check our permit database for the information and links to detailed instructions and applications you can fill out. Note that you can find this list at any time from the main home page on our website by selecting the River Info

Comment on Steep Water Quality Cuts Proposed in New Federal Rule

December 29, 2025

The Clean Water Act just can’t catch a break, and neither can those of us who like our rivers to be safe for people to enjoy. Earlier this month the administration proposed a new rule that would leave about 80% of wetlands unprotected and strip basic protections from vast numbers of rivers and streams. The implicit goal of the rule is to allow for more development and pollution at the expense of our nation’s water quality, flood resilience, outdoor recreation,

American Whitewater Secures Safer, Smarter Management for Slab Creek Run (CA)

December 18, 2025

American Whitewater just secured an important win for whitewater recreation on the Class IV+ Slab Creek Run of the South Fork American River in California. Following our sustained advocacy, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) modified the approach to managing whitewater use on the run by lowering the congestion threshold that determines when the hydropower project operator must provide up to 12 additional whitewater release days. The decision aligns whitewater management with on-river safety and the quality of the boating

Help Restore Eel River Whitewater (CA): Comment on Dam Removal by Dec. 19

December 11, 2025

As the federal review begins on removing two obsolete dams from the Eel River in northwestern California, whitewater enthusiasts have a unique opportunity to speak up for restoring this remarkable river and securing public access once the dams come out. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is now accepting public comments on PG&E’s License Surrender Application for the Potter Valley Project—the first step toward removing Scott and Cape Horn dams on the Eel River and restoring it as the longest

Boaters Protect More Big Sandy Lands!

December 10, 2025

American Whitewater is thrilled to announce that over the past two months we purchased two parcels of land bordering the Lower Big Sandy River in West Virginia, providing critical recreational access and protecting three quarters of a mile of this special river. These purchases were made thanks to generous donations from the whitewater community, and are in addition to the 4.25 miles of river frontage American Whitewater purchased last year on the Big Sandy. With these purchases now complete, American

New Whitewater Reaches Await as Eel River Dam Removal Advances

December 10, 2025

Two obsolete dams on Northwestern California’s Eel River are slated for removal as soon as 2028, and American Whitewater is engaged in the process to secure long-term public river access, river safety measures, and protection of the river’s Wild and Scenic values. This project represents the next major chapter in restoring free-flowing whitewater rivers of the West. The Eel is California’s third-largest river and once Scott and Cape Horn Dams come out, it will become the longest free-flowing river in