Articles - American Whitewater

Changes Ahead for the Bigfork Hydro Project and Swan River (MT)

August 4, 2026

The owner of the Bigfork Hydropower Project on the Swan River has notified regulators that they have decided to sell or decommission the project due to significant costs of required safety-related dam repairs. While a buyer could come forward, the project’s poor economics makes decommissioning a possible outcome of the forthcoming process. This development could cause big changes for the local community, the river’s ecology, and boaters, as the project regulates flows, controls access, and includes lands along the popular

Raft navigating a rapid on the North Umpqua River at typical summer flows, July 2020.

Help Shape the Future of Outdoor Recreation on the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River (OR)

August 4, 2026

Have you recreated in the North Umpqua River region in the past three years? If so, please take a few minutes to complete this survey and share your experience. American Whitewater is participating in a community planning effort to develop a 15-year vision for outdoor recreation in the North Umpqua region. Whether you boat, hike, fish, camp, bike, climb, or otherwise enjoy the outdoors, your input will help shape recreation priorities for years to come. Take the North Umpqua Recreation

Recreation Interests Urge Texas Officials to Protect River Access in Big Bend (TX)

August 4, 2026

Texas Outfitters, Businesses Urge Cornyn, Cruz, Abbott to Protect River Access, Halt Border Construction Barriers Planned for Rio Grande Access Threaten Rural Recreation-Based Economy TERLINGUA, Texas— More than 140 outfitters, local businesses and recreation groups today urged Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and Gov. Greg Abbott to protect public access to the Rio Grande and oppose Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) plans to build steel border barriers across nearly every river access point along the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River

Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante Reduction Causes Loss in River Protections, Yet Again (UT)

August 4, 2026

For the second time in ten years, the Trump administration rolled back protections for the Bears Ears National Monument and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southwest Utah. This time the monument removals are even larger, reducing the protected acreage by 90% and leaving behind classic whitewater rivers and multi-day river trips that were previously protected. Critical protections for these watersheds are lost, while we also lost years of meaningful work that American Whitewater put into management plans for how

The San Joaquin River Gorge: A Victory Made Possible by the Clean Water Act

July 22, 2026

After nearly a decade of advocacy by American Whitewater and our partners, a final water quality certification for the San Joaquin River Gorge has been issued that benefits recreation, public safety, and the river’s health. Less than an hour from Fresno, the San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Area is a place where people connect with the outdoors and experience dramatic canyon scenery, challenging rapids, and rich natural resources. This summer, the future of this experience became a little brighter.

American Whitewater Seeks to Improve Flathead River Plan (MT)

July 21, 2026

The Wild and Scenic forks of the Flathead River are national treasures flowing along Glacier National Park and through the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Northwest Montana. The rivers offer boating opportunities ranging from accessible whitewater runs to remote hike- and fly-in multi-day runs. Their gin-clear waters are home to abundant native fish and wildlife and are a testament to the value of protected public lands. A new Comprehensive River Management Plan would require people to get permits to boat the

Help Shape the Future of the Eel River–Comment by September 18

July 17, 2026

July 24, 2026 UPDATE: the comment deadline has been extended until September 18. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is seeking public input on the issues it should evaluate as part of its environmental review of the proposed removal of Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam on California’s Eel River. If you value the Eel River, now is one of the best opportunities to help ensure recreation, public access, river safety, and other important issues receive full consideration. Please submit

Take Action Now to Protect River Access in Big Bend, Rio Grande (TX)

July 9, 2026

Use our easy-action form before July 13 to speak up for Big Bend and recreation access to the Rio Grande in Texas! Trips through iconic canyons like Boquillas, Santa Elena, and the Lower Canyons offer wild beauty and solitude but right now they are under attack! The onslaught of harmful border protection measures in the Big Bend region has continued. This time, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is accepting comments from the public on actions planned for Brewster County.

View of the Dryway put-in on the Deerfield River with kayakers putting in and a view of the Deerfield #5 dam in the background.

Deerfield River Fest: A Celebration of Whitewater Boating in the Northeast

July 9, 2026

Join us on the Deerfield River, August 1st, 2026, to celebrate more than 30 years of whitewater boating on the river where many of us learned to boat. A special place where we meet up with friends and bring our families to enjoy the scenic waters in Western Massachusetts. The festival will be held at Berkshire East in Charlemont, MA, from 5:30 to 10 pm. We’re still looking for volunteers to help make this event a success. Sign up today

Take Action to Help Steward Some of Tennessee’s Most Quality Rivers

July 9, 2026

BluewaysTN is a new initiative of the State of Tennessee that is offering boaters an opportunity through several short surveys to be a part of enhancing, protecting, and celebrating Tennessee’s incredible rivers for generations to come. This initiative seeks to balance recreation, conservation, and economic growth, through a connected network of recreational river corridors across all of Tennessee. Whitewater boaters will recognize some gems on the list, including the Nolichucky, Hiwassee, and Emory. American Whitewater has been participating in this

Fires Across the West: Use Our Fire Map to Stay Up-to-Date

July 9, 2026

It’s early July, and for much of the country, that means we are all trying to spend more time outside and more time on rivers. For some regions, particularly the Southwest, it’s also the start of what is likely to be an unprecedented fire season. This means that in addition to checking flows and the weather before heading to the river, it’s a good idea to also check for any wildfires, smoke issues, or closures that may impact your plans.

San Joaquin River Water Quality Certification Released for Public Comment (CA)

June 27, 2026

Your input is needed to help shape the future of boating and public safety in the San Joaquin River Gorge. The California State Water Resources Control Board has released a Draft Water Quality Certification for the Kerckhoff Hydroelectric Project on the San Joaquin River. The Draft Certification includes important measures to protect water quality, fisheries, recreation, public safety, and other beneficial uses of the river. This is an important step in the hydropower licensing process, where the State of California

Local Governments Protect Crystal River from New Dams and Transmountain Diversions (CO)

June 17, 2026

Five Colorado governments and water entities have entered into a landmark intergovernmental agreement to protect the Crystal River from mainstem dams and out-of-basin water diversions. The agreement is the result of a recommendation made by the Crystal River Wild and Scenic and Other Alternatives Steering Committee in March 2024 as one of three potential long-term preservation measures. American Whitewater has been coordinating this group since 2023. The agreement, signed by the Colorado River Water Conservation District, Gunnison County, Pitkin County,

New River West Virginia Cartoon Otter Spring Update

Spring Stewardship Update 2026

June 17, 2026

We know that having safe access to public lands and clean water means everything to you and your family. Having intact and protected rivers is something you hold close to your heart as an American. Take a look at our 2026 Spring Stewardship Update and see just a few of the ways your support of American Whitewater protects rivers and creeks in national parks, forests, and other public lands. You should know, we have big challenges to solve for 2026,

Secure Rural Schools Act: How a Niche Federal Law Benefits Our Rivers

June 17, 2026

There is a little-known federal program that brings funding and multiple benefits to our rivers and public lands. It is called the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, originally enacted in 2000, though the title only tells part of the story. In recent years, American Whitewater has played a critical role in ensuring that the federal dollars made available through this program go directly to benefiting healthy rivers and river recreation opportunities. Back in the early 1900s, the U.S.

Cataract Canyon Takeout Ramp Upgraded and Open

June 16, 2026

Floating through Canyonlands National Park on the Colorado River is a desert river runner’s dream. However, for over 20 years, getting your boat and gear off the river has been difficult and dangerous. Earlier this month, the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, in partnership with Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the Utah Public Lands Policy Coordination Office, hosted a ribbon cutting at the new and greatly improved North Wash Boat Ramp. If you’ve put off a Cataract trip in

Border Wall Plans Ignore Bedrock Laws, Threatening Boating and Public Safety in Big Bend (TX)

June 16, 2026

Update: The administration has drastically expanded its disregard for our bedrock environmental laws to push forward border wall construction in the greater Big Bend region. In February, they waived dozens of environmental laws for areas upstream from Big Bend National Park. Over the last two months, they have now also bypassed protections for a 60-mile section of the Big Bend Wild and Scenic River and for Big Bend National Park itself. Many of the bypassed laws, including the Wild and Scenic

Federal Funding for Colorado River Instream Flow Rights Arrives

June 16, 2026

The Colorado River District announced last Friday that the Bureau of Reclamation will move forward with a $40M award to go towards the District’s purchase of the Shoshone hydropower water rights. The announcement puts the total fundraising for the water rights at $97M of the $99M price tag. The Colorado River District has been working tirelessly to make these water rights permanent. Because of the senior nature of these water rights, water use up and down the Colorado River has

Don’t Miss Fox River Whitewater Release Opportunities in 2026 (WI)

June 9, 2026

Boaters have four opportunities each year to enjoy whitewater releases on the Kaukauna reach of Wisconsin’s Fox River. Under the recreation plan for the Badger-Rapide Croche Hydroelectric Project, Kaukauna Utilities coordinates with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide whitewater boating flows in the natural river channel below Kaukauna Dam on four designated Saturdays each year when river flows and notification requirements are met. 2026 Release Dates and Notification Requirements Whitewater release opportunities are scheduled for four Saturdays in

Tuolumne Access Restored! Lumsden Road Repaired and Open (CA)

May 22, 2026

Access to the Wild & Scenic Tuolumne River at Lumsden Road was restored on May 14th of this year following several years of closure. American Whitewater has been working tirelessly, alongside numerous partners, to advocate for repair of the road since it washed out during severe winter storms in the winter of 2022-23. The infamous Cherry Creek run is back and the Main Tuolumne is better than it’s been in recent times. We want to show immense appreciation to the

Working to Restore Boating Opportunities and Spring Flows on the Lower McCloud (CA)

May 20, 2026

For many whitewater boaters, the lower McCloud River is legendary. Flowing from the glaciers and volcanic springs of Mount Shasta through the eastern edge of the ancient Klamath Mountains, the river cuts through a remote, forested canyon that largely escaped gold mining and development. The run below McCloud Dam is one of California’s classic multi-day wilderness trips. But most of the time, there is not enough water to boat it. The reason is the McCloud-Pit Hydroelectric Project, Pacific Gas &

Billionaires Get Their Way Over Coloradans: Legislature Fails to Address River Access

May 13, 2026

May 13th marked the end of the 2026 legislative session in Colorado, and it came without a bill to secure safe and lawful river passage in Colorado. American Whitewater, working with the Responsible River Recreation Alliance, has been advocating for river access legislation for the past year and a half and we aren’t giving up. The unsettled law around stream access in Colorado is a decades long fight, and we still need your help. We are building a movement of

Justin Macklin on Tiger Creek, Photo Credit Forest Kan

2026 NF Mokelumne Recreational Flow Schedule (CA)

May 12, 2026

The Devil’s Nose, Tiger Creek, and Electra Sections of the North Fork Mokelumne River have annually-scheduled releases as a condition of Pacific Gas & Electric’s Mokelumne River Hydroelectric Project. These releases are scheduled each year by American Whitewater and partners. Although Devil’s Nose Flows occur earlier in the year, Tiger Creek and Electra flows are commonly scheduled later in the year, in order to maximize recreational opportunities for the whitewater community. 2026 Recreational Release Dates for Electra May 16th and

San Joaquin Horseshoe Bend Forecast–May 15-17, 2026

May 12, 2026

Recreational flows are currently forecasted for the Horseshoe Bend Reach of the San Joaquin River beginning Friday, May 15, below Southern California Edison’s Big Creek No. 4 Project. These boating opportunities are the result of years of work by American Whitewater and others to ensure spring spill flows on the San Joaquin River translate into meaningful whitewater recreation opportunities. Through ongoing implementation of the project’s Long-Term Operating Rules, spill flows are managed in a way that supports boating while balancing

Holtwood Whitewater Park up for Review and Comment (PA)

May 8, 2026

The owners of the Holtwood Hydropower Project on the Susquehanna River are seeking a new 30-50 year federal license for their project. American Whitewater is working closely with local boaters to ensure that recreation and river ecology are addressed in the new license. Over a decade ago, we negotiated a whitewater park below Holtwood Dam as mitigation for a massive expansion of the hydropower operations that damaged and dewatered rapids. If you’ve used the Holtwood Whitewater Park, we encourage you