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Image for Action Alert: Protect the Wild Rogue

ACTION ALERT: Protect the Wild Rogue

American Whitewater is asking our members, particularly those living in Oregon to take action to protect the Wild Rogue.  The Rogue River Wilderness and Rogue River Wild and Scenic River represents one of Oregon’s most treasured natural landscapes. Protected as one of the nation’s first Wild and Scenic Rivers, the Rogue is known for it’s salmon runs, rich natural and cultural history, and incredible wilderness-quality recreational opportunities.  While the remote canyons of the Rogue River provide river runners with a

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Image for Comment Period Extended for Regional Watershed Supply Project (CO/WY)

Comment Period Extended for Regional Watershed Supply Project (CO/WY)

PUBLIC NOTICE Section 404 of the Clean Water Act – Permit Review ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS REGULATORY BRANCH   Regional Watershed Supply Project Proposed by Million Conservation Resource Group Extension of Comment Period               The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Omaha District Regulatory Branch, Denver Office, is beginning to review a request for permit authorization, pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, from Million Conservation Resource Group (MCRG), to construct a

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Image for Upper Colorado River - Project Update

Upper Colorado River – Project Update

The Upper Colorado Protection Project The Upper Colorado River is the largest source of supplemental water supplies for Denver and Colorado’s Front Range, where water providers have used numerous reservoirs and pumps to lift river water up and over the Continental divide to provide municipal and irrigation water for east slope cities and farms.   In 2005, Colorado’s Department of Natural Resources released their State Water Supply Initiative report (SWSI), which projected significant increases in population, and a 20% gap in

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Image for A Portion of the Chattooga Headwaters Open To Limited Boating Starting Dec 2009

A Portion of the Chattooga Headwaters Open To Limited Boating Starting Dec 2009

After a considerable delay of over 2 years, US Forest Service officials announced a final decision on managing recreation uses on the upper Chattooga River and released the Final Environmental Assessment (EA). A briefing paper and news release were also made available. While the new management plan falls short of our requests for Headwaters access, it does open the door to a small amount of legal boating on a small section of the upper  river starting in December 2009, flow

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Image for Public Comments Needed on Chattooga Heritage Center Proposal

Public Comments Needed on Chattooga Heritage Center Proposal

The U.S. Forest Service announced that the agency is requesting public comments on a proposal to permit a Heritage Center and establish a Southern Appalachian Farmstead living history interpretive site on 20 acres in the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River corridor in South Carolina. Read the press release here. The proposed site is on highway 28 "near" the Wild and Scenic Chattooga, see map. Activities being considered in the proposal include the construction and remodeling of historic structures, placement of

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Image for AW Preserving Boating Opportunities on the Upper Colorado River

AW Preserving Boating Opportunities on the Upper Colorado River

The Upper Colorado River Stakeholders Group will submit a draft resource management plan alternative for the US BLM’s Kremmling and Glenwood Springs Field Offices.  The Stakeholders Group is working together in good faith to develop a management plan in order to protect the outstandingly remarkable values (ORV’s) identified in the BLM’s 2007 Wild and Scenic River’s Eligibility Report.  The Stakeholders plan is being proposed to the BLM as a potential Wild and Scenic Rivers management alternative for the BLM Resource

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Image for Gauley Fest Volunteers Needed!

Gauley Fest Volunteers Needed!

Everyone loves to attend the world’s biggest paddling festival: the American Whitewater Gauley Fest presented by Subaru. However, what most people don’t realize is that outside AW’s 8 full-time employees, it’s a completely volunteer run event!  AW sure could use your help. Please sign up for 2 hours (or more) and become a part of the Gauley Fest Volunteer Team! It’s a fun and easy way for you to be a critical part of an amazing festival. For your time

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Image for Join "Ladies of the Lower G" and Support AW (Sept 18th, WV)

Join “Ladies of the Lower G” and Support AW (Sept 18th, WV)

This September 18th, spend a day paddling with Anna Levesque on the Lower Gauley and raise money for AW! If you haven’t heard of the Ladies of the Lower G event it’s an annual event that Anna Levesque of Girls at Play and North American River Runners (NARR) put on around Gauley Fest. All the ladies who sign up spend the day boating down the Lower Gauley with Anna and others for the low, low price of just $40 (which

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Image for Gauley Fest (Sept. 18-20) Facebook Page

Gauley Fest (Sept. 18-20) Facebook Page

To get the word out far and wide about the upcoming American Whitewater Gauley Fest presented by Subaru (Sept. 18-20) we’ve added a Facebook event page. You can jump on there and say you’re attending and share it with all your friends. Very cool. In the meantime, if you’re on Facebook, why not become a fan of American Whitewater at http://www.facebook.com/AmericanWhitewater while you’re at it. Plus, if all that isn’t enough, you can join the American Whitewater Cause on Facebook

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Image for Feather River (CA) Release This Weekend 8/22-23 2009

Feather River (CA) Release This Weekend 8/22-23 2009

There will be a whitewater release on the Rock Creek Reach of the Feather river this weekend.  The flows will take place between 11 a.m. Saturday 8/22 and 3 p.m. Sunday 8/23.  The expected water levels are 800 cfs on Saturday, with flows of 700 cfs planned for Sunday.  Come take advantage of some fantastic water!   There is a fire buring in the canyon and we have recieved the following information from the USFS.     Fire Status as

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Image for Pit River (CA) Release Weekend of 8/29

Pit River (CA) Release Weekend of 8/29

Just a short note to clear up any confusion regarding weekend releases on the Pit River.     The releases will be happening, and they will take place the Weekend of August 29th.   Flows are expected to be 850 cfs.   So, paddlers, get out there and take advantage of a beautiful river.   The release starts ramping up on Friday, but takes a long time to fill the channel.   The river may be boatable by late Friday.   The release

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Image for Volunteers Needed for Tullulah Releases in November 2009

Volunteers Needed for Tullulah Releases in November 2009

The Tallulah releases will be held this fall on the following dates:  November 7-8, 14-15, 21-22.  Approximately thirty volunteers are needed each weekend.  Volunteers are the only people allowed at the put-in beside boaters and park rangers.  If you are a boater or a volunteer and want someone else to be able to go to the put-in, please have them volunteer.  Shifts are 8 am-noon and 11:00  am-3:00 pm.  An orientation and travel to the volunteer sites are included in

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Image for Cleanup on the French Broad Ledges (NC) - August 22

Cleanup on the French Broad Ledges (NC) – August 22

From the events organizer, Justyn Thompson:   "As many of you know, the Ledges Park in Asheville, NC has been a whitewater staple for many years. About 12 years ago, kayak slalom gates were put in with the hopes that people would use them and maintain them. However, after floods and neglect, they have turned into more of a hazard and an eye sore than anything else. On the weekend of August 22 and 23, we are going to do

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Image for Upcoming Feather River Festival

Upcoming Feather River Festival

The 19th annual Feather River Festival (CA) will be held during the scheduled releases on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27, 2009. The fund-raiser event for American Whitewater is hosted by local paddling club, the Chico Paddleheads. The benefit event will be held at "Indian Jim School" campground located two miles upstream from the small town of Tobin and one mile upstream from Tobin Vista. Free camping and ample parking is available.   The event will include a free

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Image for AW Opposes New MT Hydro Proposal

AW Opposes New MT Hydro Proposal

Fifty years ago today a 7.3 magnitude earthquake triggered a massive rockslide that dammed Montana’s Madison River and buried a Forest Service campground beneath 80 million tons of rock, killing 28 people.  The enormous slide created Quake Lake, and a relatively steep new outflow channel for the Madison River as it flows over the slide.  "The Slide" or "Quake Lake Section of the Madison" is regularly tackled by paddlers drawn to its long season and Class IV and V rapids. 

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Image for CA Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Bill; Suction Dredge Mining stopped

CA Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Bill; Suction Dredge Mining stopped

Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill (SB 670) placing a moratorium on suction dredge mining in California.  This is a huge victory for paddlers, anglers, and anyone who enjoys California’s rivers.    In AW’s official letter to regarding this issue we mentioned multiple efforts being made by all who use the rivers, recreationally and commercially, to protect the plants and wildlife that call these rivers home.  These efforts seemed in vain, when miners weren’t subjected to the same environmental standards.

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Yuba Bear / Drum Spaulding Update: Bear River Releases, September 5,6,7 2009

The following releases on the Bear River are planned: Reach Miles Ft / Mile Est. Class Date Flow, cfs Drum Afterbay 4.5 120 to 150 IV at start SA-Sep 5 200to Dutch Flat steeper at V- at end SU-Sep 6 250 Afterbay end MO-Sep 7 300Dutch Flat 4.7 100 to 80 IV at start SA-Sep 5 200Afterbay to steeper at II at end SU-Sep 6 250Chicago Park beginning MO-Sep 7 300_____________________________________________________________________These reaches are to the north of Dutch Flat, which

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Image for Yuba Bear / Drum Spaulding Update:  Bear River Releases, September 5,6,7  2009

Yuba Bear / Drum Spaulding Update: Bear River Releases, September 5,6,7 2009

The following releases on the Bear River are planned: Drum Afterbay to Dutch Flat Afterbay, 4.5 mi, cl IV/V-, 200, 250, 300 cfs on SEP 5,6,7 respectively.Dutch Flat Afterbay to Chicago Park, 4.7 mi, cl IV/II, 200, 250, 300 cfs on SEP 5,6,7 respectively.These reaches are to the north of Dutch Flat, which is north of Highway 80, north-east of Auburn. Maps and detailed directions to put-in and take-out will be posted soon. These reaches have seldom been run; the

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Image for 2009 Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign - Winners

2009 Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign – Winners

American Whitewater is proud to announce the two Affiliate Club recipients of the 2009 Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign: The Jackson Hole Kayak Club of Jackson Hole, Wyoming and the Genesse Waterways Center of Rochester, NY! Each club will receive a $1,250 grant to go towards their respective projects. This year’s grant process saw some excellent entries, but these two stood above the rest. The Jackson Hole Kayak Club’s proposal was to install a set of stairs to access a

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Image for Bear River Planned Release Schedule September 5,6,7 2009

Bear River Planned Release Schedule September 5,6,7 2009

This Release was cancelled and postponed till 2010   Bear River Planned Release Schedule September 5,6,7  2009   The following releases on the Bear River are planned:   Reach Miles Ft/Mile Est. Class Date Flow, cfs Drum Afterbay to Dutch Flat Afterbay 4.5 120-150 steeper at end IV at start V- at end SA-Sep 5 200   SU-Sep 6 250   MO-Sep 7 300 Dutch Flat Afterbay to Chicago Park 4.7 100 to 80 steeper at start IV at start

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Yuba Bear / Drum Spaulding Update: Bear River CA Releases, September 5,6,7 200

Bear River Planned Release Schedule September 5,6,7 2009The following releases on the Bear River are planned: Reach Miles Ft / Mile Est. Class Date Flow, cfs Drum Afterbay 4.5 120 to 150 IV at start SA-Sep 5 200to Dutch Flat steeper at V- at end SU-Sep 6 250 Afterbay end MO-Sep 7 300Dutch Flat 4.7 100 to 80 IV at start SA-Sep 5 200Afterbay to steeper at II at end SU-Sep 6 250Chicago Park beginning MO-Sep 7 300_____________________________________________________________________These reaches are

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Yuba Bear / Drum Spaulding Update: Bear River Releases September 5,6,7 2009

Bear River Planned Release Schedule September 5,6,7 2009The following releases on the Bear River are planned: Reach Miles Ft / Mile Est. Class Date Flow, cfs Drum Afterbay 4.5 120 to 150 IV at start SA-Sep 5 200to Dutch Flat steeper at V- at end SU-Sep 6 250 Afterbay end MO-Sep 7 300Dutch Flat 4.7 100 to 80 IV at start SA-Sep 5 200Afterbay to steeper at II at end SU-Sep 6 250Chicago Park beginning MO-Sep 7 300_____________________________________________________________________These reaches are

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Yuba Bear / Drum Spaulding: Bear River CA Releases, September 5,6,7 2009

Bear River Planned Release Schedule September 5,6,7 2009The following releases on the Bear River are planned: Reach Miles Ft / Mile Est. Class Date Flow, cfs Drum Afterbay 4.5 120 to 150 IV at start SA-Sep 5 200to Dutch Flat steeper at V- at end SU-Sep 6 250Afterbay end MO-Sep 7 300Dutch Flat 4.7 100 to 80 IV at start SA-Sep 5 200Afterbay to steeper at II at end SU-Sep 6 250Chicago Park beginning MO-Sep 7 300_____________________________________________________________________These reaches are to

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Image for New York Times article on Dam Removal

New York Times article on Dam Removal

American Whitewater was featured prominently in a New York Times article about the benefits of dam removal to whitwater paddlers. The story is a great example of what’s good for a river is also good for recreation, habitat, fish and local communities.   Read the article at:   http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/travel/09explorer.html?hpw

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Image for Hemlock Dam Removal Underway (WA)

Hemlock Dam Removal Underway (WA)

After several years of anticipation another dam is being removed and a river is set to be restored this fall in the Columbia Gorge. Hemlock Dam which has been a barrier to fish passage and plugged up Trout Creek, a major tributary of the Wind River, was removed just a few weeks ago. The crews are out doing the final work on restoring the historic channel and if all goes well over the next couple days water will once again

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