Articles

American Whitewater would like to recognize Theresa Simsiman as our February Volunteer of the Month!     Theresa Simsiman has been a whitewater paddler since 1999. In that short time she has made many significant contributions to rivers in California.  In addition to being an active member of the whitewater community near her home in Coloma, Theresa decided that she wanted to give something back to this sport that she loved so much. In 2005, Theresa became involved in the relicensing

American Whitewater would like to recognize Theresa Simsiman as our February Volunteer of the Month!     Theresa Simsiman has been a whitewater paddler since 1999. In that short time she has made many significant contributions to rivers in California.  In addition to being an active member of the whitewater community near her home in Coloma, Theresa decided that she wanted to give something back to this sport that she loved so much. In 2005, Theresa became involved in the relicensing

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released the whitewater park feasibility study on the Feather River in Oroville California.  Included in the study was Phase I and Phase II, the study is part of the settlement agreement signed in 2006. Developing a whitewater park in Oroville was an idea first suggest by American Whitewater as a means of mitigating the lost whitewater opportunities that were flooded when lake Oroville was created.  Although the settlement agreement did not require

Public hearings have been scheduled later this month regarding a new draft water quality permit for Blue Ridge Paper Products, which discharges tens of thousands of pounds of pollutants into the Pigeon River (NC/TN) each year.  The debate over the effluents of the paper mill has been extremely controversial over the past few decades, and this new permitting process marks a significant opportunity for progress.  Paddlers are encouraged to attend the hearings, learn more about the issue, and voice your

The Jan/Feb issue of the AW Journal is our CREEKING ISSUE featuring: * Top Stewardship Issues 2010 * Losloera * Searching for the Edge of the World * A Southern Creekin‘ Road Trip * Little Paddler, Big Creek . . .plus much more! Want to read the AW Journal online: You need a current membership and you must be registered with the AW website and have your membership associated with your website user account. Current members – Read the Creeking

In this entry, LVM’s John Grace sits down with AW’s Kevin Colburn and Jeff Paine to talk about the status of paddling the headwaters of the Chattooga River – and why it’s so important to paddlers even if they live nowhere near it. This was recorded in mid-December 2009 so doesn’t touch on the most recent developments, but it gives a great, quick overview on the issue.     Chattooga Access Update from Lunch Video Magazine on Vimeo.    

New for 2010, anyone who joins American Whitewater at our Explorer level ($500) will receive this great Keen backpack with AW logo.   This backpack has a ton of cool features including: 100% recycled aluminum components 100% recycled interior liners 100% recycled molded rubber bottom 15.4" padded laptop sleeve Adjustable shoulder straps Breathable molded foam back panel Draw-cord closure Interior zippered pocket Mesh cell phone and MP3 player pockets on shoulder straps Stowable shoulder strap tail Additional info on the

It was with great pride and enthusiasm that American Whitewater announced Bill Cross as our 2009 River Steward of the Year. The reward for his tireless work was much more than just good river karma however, it was a brand new kayak of his choice donated by Jackson Kayaks! Bill sent this thank you note over to the folks at Jackson Kayaks and we wanted to share it here with everyone. Thanks for all your hard work Bill!   Dear

Yesterday, Superior Court Judge Zoro J. Guice Jr. rejected all remaining challenges made by Jackson County (NC) against Duke Energy’s efforts to remove Dillsboro Dam on the Tuckasegee River.  It is extremely likely that the ruling is the final decision on the fate of Dillsboro Dam, as Duke was already poised to begin the removal of the dam early this year based on their orders from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  A Duke representative indicated earlier today in the

The Colorado River Outfitters Association is supporting new legislation that protects Colorado’s tourism industry by clarifying the rights of commercial guides to operate on Colorado’s historically run rivers. Colorado State Representative Kathleen Curry has indicated her willingness to carry the River Jobs Protection Act in the Second Regular Session of the Colorado General Assembly. American Whitewater has been involved in drafting and review of the bill, and will release a official statement later this month. The 2010 River Rafting Job

American Whitewater is pleased to recognize Bill Kees as our Volunteer of the Month for January 2010. Last year, Bill served as AW’s lead volunteer representative in the Dolores River Working Group in Southwestern Colorado. He has worked to provide input into River Management Plan revisions for the USFS and BLM, and built strong working relationships with our partners in the basin. Bill is no stranger to the Dolores River basin, for the past 30 years he has run all

The 27th annual National Paddling Film Festival (NPFF) will be held this year in Frankfort, Kentucky on February 26-27th. You can purchase tickets in advance via the American Whitewater Store for $20 (versus $25 at the door). Plus, AW will be there hosting a membership drive where you can renew your AW membership or join for the first time.   NPFF seeks to showcase the year’s best in paddling related videos and photographs from whitewater destinations all over the world.

The 27th annual National Paddling Film Festival (NPFF) will be held this year in Frankfort, Kentucky on February 26-27th. You can purchase tickets in advance via the American Whitewater Store for $20 (versus $25 at the door). Plus, AW will be there hosting a membership drive where you can renew your AW membership or join for the first time.   NPFF seeks to showcase the year’s best in paddling related videos and photographs from whitewater destinations all over the world.

Over the past 2 years, American Whitewater has received several requests for assistance from our affiliate clubs, volunteers, and partner organizations in the Dolores River basin. Given the current staffing and success of our stewardship program, we are now in a position to meet this need.  We have developed a strategy to empower key volunteers with the tools, resources, and leadership needed to build collaborative partnerships and engage in existing efforts to address multiple aspects of river health, including minimum

Keith Pitzer, executive director of Friends of the Cheat since 2001, died on the morning of December 22nd following a year and a half long battle with cancer. Under his leadership, Friends of the Cheat dramatically expanded its efforts to restore, preserve, and promote the outstanding natural qualities of the Cheat  River Watershed, one of the most important whitewater paddling venues in the country.  A former Cheat River guide and manager, he was  long-time friend of American Whitewater who worked

On October 13, 2009 East Bay Municipal Utility District’s (EMUD) Board Members voted to approve their Waste Supply Management Program (WSMP) 2040. Proposals to enlarge Pardee Reservoir, included in this plan, remain a threat to our whitewater interests on the Molkelumne River. American Whitewater encourages members to support National Wild & Scenic River designation as the best option to permanently fend off agencies, like EBMUD, who threaten to flood the last free flowing sections of the Mokelumne. But keep in