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Image for Gore Race 2009 - Get on It!

Gore Race 2009 – Get on It!

Timberline Tours and American Whitewater Present the 2009 Gore Canyon RaceSaturday, August 22, 2009 This is the classic Class V whitewater race on the Upper Colorado River that brings together the finest whitewater rafters, kayakers and paddlers of all types of river craft. As always the race is open to all boaters willing to take on some of the best Class V whitewater in the state of Colorado.  Spectators are welcome but remember: stay off the railway tracks!     Classes:•

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Image for 11th Annual AW Over the Falls Ohiopyle Falls Festival August 22, 2009

11th Annual AW Over the Falls Ohiopyle Falls Festival August 22, 2009

Once again we will be running Ohiopyle Falls during this one day event on August 22, 2009. We need plenty of Help! Volunteers will get discounts and T-shirts. For additional information, registration and updates see: www.FallsRace.com You can sign up for the race and Freestyle event or just run the Falls. Activities Planned:Over the Falls Race and Freestyle EventPractice RunsThe Upstream World Championships held on the Lower Yough and sponsored by Wilderness VoyageursSilent AuctionTown Party with live band – WeedhawksFalls Under

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Image for 2009 Summer Membership Drive - July Winners

2009 Summer Membership Drive – July Winners

As you probably already know, AW is holding a huge summer-long membership drive with monthly winners through September and two grand prizes being drawn in October.   The contest is simple and you can still be a part of it:   Only open to members of American Whitewater Members Joining or renewing your membership with AW gives you one chance to win Every $10 donation (by a current member) equals one chance to win (i.e. $100 = 10 chances)  

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Image for August Volunteer of the Month presented by Kokatat

August Volunteer of the Month presented by Kokatat

    American Whitewater recognizes Jason Bliler as our August Volunteer of the Month.   Jason was instrumental in helping coordinate American Whitewater’s activities at this years FIBArk Festival in Salida, Colorado.  FIBArk was again a great opportunity to learn more about AW’s work in Colorado and across the country, and we want to thank Jason for making it possible.  Jason volunteered five long days to helping AW grow it’s membership and support through movie premiers, fundraising events, and opportunities

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Image for TNC Investigates Flow Improvements in New England

TNC Investigates Flow Improvements in New England

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is currently investigating opportunities for restoring natural functions to the Connecticut River Watershed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.  TNC’s efforts are focused on reconnecting rivers and streams, restoring floodplain forests, and managing flows for people and nature.  The Connecticut River Watershed is home to several whitewater rivers including the West, Deerfield, Millers, Ashuelot, Black, and Westfield rivers. TNC’s efforts will bring a new level of science and cooperation to the management of dams in the

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Image for Thinking of Writing an Inflatable Story? The Time is Now!

Thinking of Writing an Inflatable Story? The Time is Now!

Paddle rafters, catarafters, IKers, and inflatable paddlers of all kinds, now is the time to prepare your story for American Whitewater. Our issue celebrating inflatable paddlers–their unique approach to whitewater, their accomplishments, and their culture–is coming up soon. Deadline for submitting material for the Inflatible Issue is August 31. Please contact the editor directly to submit stories or photos; please contact him with any questions: editor@americanwhitewater.org   Photot of rafters flipping before a live audience (previous page) by Bryan Kelsen

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Image for AW weighs in on Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone Management

AW weighs in on Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone Management

The US Forest Service is currently in the process of implementing a new river management plan for the Wild and Scenic Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River.  American Whitewater filed comments last February expressing the paddling community’s interests in protecting the river and maintaining historic access on designated roads.     Earlier this month the Forest Service released their predecisional environmental assessment and proposed actions.  The USFS proposes to maintain all exisiting designated roads but take steps to curtail off-road use

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Image for Boat Stickers Now Required in Idaho

Boat Stickers Now Required in Idaho

Earlier this year, the Idaho Legislature passed new legislation to provide funding for programs aimed at preventing the introduction of invasive aquatic species in Idaho. The new law requires boaters, both motorized vessels and non, to contribute to the Idaho Invasive Species Fund (IISF). Any boat that is registered in Idaho or another state, and any non-motorized vessel (canoe, kayak, raft, drift boat, etc.) will be required to purchase and display IISF stickers in order to legally launch and operate in

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Image for Saluda Dam Relicensing Settled!

Saluda Dam Relicensing Settled!

On Friday, July 24, 2009, American Whitewater signed a settlement agreement with South Carolina Electric & Gas Company and a suite of other organizations and agencies that resolves issues regarding the management of Lake Murray Dam for the next 50 years.  Lake Murray Dam regulates flows in the popular Saluda River, as it flows through Columbia, South Carolina.  American Whitewater and other groups were involved in studies and negotiations for the past five years, and have been actively involved in

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Image for RiverLink's Rockin RiverFest 2009 - August 1st

RiverLink’s Rockin RiverFest 2009 – August 1st

There’s no better way to describe this event than RiverLink’s own words:   "Start making your "yacht" for this year’s Rockin’ RiverFest, a FREE day long festival sponsored by Asheville Radio Group and RiverLink at French Broad River Park featuring the ever popular raft competition, music competition featuring local bands, kids parade, live performances, local food and beverages, corn hole, frisbee golf, kayak demonstrations and much more!  There’s something fun for everyone!"   Check out the full event details on

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Image for Cheoah Volunteer Opportunity July 24 & 25

Cheoah Volunteer Opportunity July 24 & 25

This is a reminder that the Southern Appalachian Cooperative Weed Management Partnership (including Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Western North Carolina Alliance, the Forest Service, and others) will be controlling oriental bittersweet, privet, and multiflora rose on the Cheoah River this Friday, July 24th and Saturday, July 25th.  These aggressive invasive plants are overtaking Virginia spiraea, a federally threatened plant.  If you are interested in joining us, please RSVP by Thursday, July 25th.  Carpooling from Asheville can be arranged.  All tools and equipment will be provided.    Who:    Volunteer work day

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Image for TVA to Undertake Integrated Resource Plan - Comments Needed

TVA to Undertake Integrated Resource Plan – Comments Needed

TVA is gathering information from stakeholders on how to meet the needs of the Tennessee Valley and its residents for energy, environment, natural resource management and recreation.  As users of public lands and waters, please tell TVA what you think.  Please take time to fill out the survey at the link below and have your voice heard on management of public lands, energy and the environment.TVA is beginning a comprehensive study of alternatives for meeting the future electrical energy needs

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Image for Cheoah River Restoration Report Released - Thumbs Up!

Cheoah River Restoration Report Released – Thumbs Up!

Over the past few years,  state and federal resource agencies collected physical and biological data to investigate the effect of minimum flows and ramping rates on aquatic resources in the bypassed reach of the Cheoah River. Most physical and biological monitoring took place before, during and after high flow events in May and July 2007 and May 2008. Physical data collected included flow and temperature from the USGS gage; water depth (level logger) data at selected instream flow study transects

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Dealing with Sudden Death

Sudden death is a charged emotional event. With each death people go through 5 phases of grieving. Denial, bargaining, anger, depression and acceptance. Although Dr. Elizabeth Kubler Ross’s book, ON DEATH AND DYING is now almost 4 decades old, the information is still on target. Sudden death is often compounded by trauma among those who witness a drowning accident or try to rescue or resuscitate someone. This may also occur when there is a complex and prolonged search and recovery

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Image for USFS Offers Brief Chattooga Update

USFS Offers Brief Chattooga Update

Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief of the National Forest System, recently provided American Whitewater with a brief update on the status of the long-overdue management plan for the Wild and Scenic Upper Chattooga River, located in NC, SC, and GA.  Mr. Holtrop offered that at this time the USFS is expecting to issue a final decision by the end of summer.  Mr. Holtrop also stated that "Most recently, we have been conducting an extensive legal review to ensure that we have addressed

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Image for Yuba Bear/ Drum Spaulding Update

Yuba Bear/ Drum Spaulding Update

YUBA BEAR / DRUM SPAULDING UPDATE Fordyce Creek Planned Release Schedule As part of the Yuba-Bear Drum-Spaulding Relicensing Boating Flow Study, Fordyce Reservoir drafting flows will be augmented to provide the following releases to Fordyce Creek: Date                                                            Flow, cfsThursday 8/13                                                300Friday 8/14                                                     400Saturday 8/15            

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Yuba Bear/ Drum Spaulding Update

YUBA BEAR / DRUM SPAULDING UPDATE   Fordyce Creek Planned Release Schedule   As part of the Yuba-Bear Drum-Spaulding Relicensing Boating Flow Study, Fordyce Reservoir drafting flows will be augmented to provide the following releases to Fordyce Creek:   Date                                                            Flow, cfs Thursday 8/13                                                300 Friday 8/14                                                     400 Saturday 8/15                                                 500 Sunday 8/16                                        

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Image for Upper Yough Race (MD) - July 25th - Benefiting AW

Upper Yough Race (MD) – July 25th – Benefiting AW

July 25th Immersion Research and Wilderness Voyagers will be hosting the 29th Annual Upper Yough Race – with the proceeds going to American Whitewater!   Challenge the exciting Upper Yough and help raise a few bucks for American Whitewater at the same time. There will be classes for everything from Wavehoppers to short boats and even a team class for three paddlers where at least one must be female. What’s more is each racer gets a cool t-shirt and everyone

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Image for Chelan Gorge Whitewater Paddling

Chelan Gorge Whitewater Paddling

The Chelan Gorge Recreational Releases present whitewater boating opportunities that will be available for two weekends this July. American Whitewater has invested more than a decade of effort into bringing this opportunity to the paddling community of the Pacific Northwest, and we are excited to kick off the first weekend of releases. During the relicensing process several parties including the utility raised serious objections to whitewater recreation on this reach given the hazards of the gorge. The utility, federal regulators,

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Gauley Fest Vendor Registration

Gauley Fest is coming up (Sept. 18-20) and it’s time for vendors to send in their registration forms.   Each year we pack Gauley Fest with vendors from all over the country and always have to turn away applicants as we only have so many spaces. So, don’t delay and miss your chance to be a part of the nation’s biggest paddling festival.   To become a vendor please fill out the Gauley Fest Vendor Registration Form and email it

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Image for 2009 Summer Membership Drive - June Winners

2009 Summer Membership Drive – June Winners

As you probably already know, AW is holding a huge summer-long membership drive with monthly winners through September and two grand prizes being drawn in October.   The contest is simple and you can still be a part of it:   Only open to members of American Whitewater Members Joining or renewing your membership with AW gives you one chance to win Every $10 donation (by a current member) equals one chance to win (i.e. $100 = 10 chances)  

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Image for Rally to be Held in Sacramento to Oppose Water Bill

Rally to be Held in Sacramento to Oppose Water Bill

AW is asking you to make a special effort on a critically urgent matter. Certain members of the legislature and the administration are attempting to pass a combined water bill package through the legislature that will provide for a "water czar" and tens of billions of dollars in fees and bonds to construct a peripheral canal and more dams. We are very concerned as to the implications this may have on the delta.    So what to do?  There is a rally and press

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Image for Comment Letters Needed on Renewable Power Legislation in CA

Comment Letters Needed on Renewable Power Legislation in CA

The State Legislature has proposed amendments to Senate Bill SB 14 and AB 64 that would allow Hydropower to be imported from out-of-state sources (including Canada and Mexico), as well as change the mega-wattage RPS qualifications for existing Hydropower in both California and out-of-state sources from 30mw to 50mw.  Under existing conditions, California utilities are required to derive 20% of their power from renewable energy sources (Wind, Solar, and Hydro at 30mw or less).  Changing the mega-wattage standard wouldn’t create

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Image for 2009 Deerfield Fest - July 25th (MA)

2009 Deerfield Fest – July 25th (MA)

Come see American Whitewater at this year’s Deerfield Fest July 25th in Charlemont, MA.   After 15 years, Deerfield Fest keeps gettting better! The fest will have no shortage of things to do and will feature vendors, food, boats, a silent auction, plus – and most importantly – the chance to begin or renew an AW membership! Not to mention all the proceeds of the event go towards funding American Whitewater’s river stewardship.   Check out the Deerfield Fest event

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