Articles - American Whitewater

New Dam Proposed on Tyger River Tributary (SC)

April 20, 2009

South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has requested public comment regarding a proposed dam on Ferguson Creek, an important tributary to the South Tyger River and popular Tyger River whitewater runs. DHEC has issued conflicting deadlines for responses (April 13 and April 15), neither of which is consistent with its 30 day policy from the date of public notice–March 31 in the Greenville News. Please consider writing a letter to DHEC similar to the below asking them

Come see AW at the French Broad River Festival (NC) and Save!

April 19, 2009

With nearly 20 bands over 2 stages, a down river raft race, mountain bike event and even a kids village – all along the banks of the French Broad River – this is surely an event you won’t want to miss. Plus, if you get your tickets online in advance you can save yourself a few bucks off ticket prices at the gate. You can even come early on Friday and help AW out with a river cleanup on the

Cresta Flows Again! North Fork Feather 2009 (CA)

April 17, 2009

FERC Approves New Flows For the Cresta Reach After several years of intense debate, negotiation and collaboration, the Cresta reach will see boatable flows again this year. The flow release will be a single pulse that will increase base flows starting on May 1st and continuing through July in a normal water year and through June in a dry year. Flows will begin at 750 to 800 cfs and gradually ramp down to 400 cfs at the end of June

Hoosic Release on the Way

April 17, 2009

It is time once again for the Whitewater Release at Brookfield’s Schaghticoke Development on the Hoosic River (Schaghticoke, NY). The release alternates each year between a Wednesday release and a Saturday release following April 15, and the release in 2009 is to occur on the Saturday schedule (i.e., from 1 – 4PM). The release requires that adequate flows be available in the Hoosic River (i.e., > 1,200), so as not to result in excessive drawdown of the Schaghticoke impoundment. Flows in

West River Update (VT)

April 16, 2009

By this time many paddlers are well aware that there will be no spring scheduled whitewater release on Vermont’s West River for the first time in decades. For over four decades the spring West River releases have drawn over 1000 whitewater paddlers from around the region to Jamaica State Park to experience the rivers moderate rapids and scenic gorge. The spring recreational releases had a proven and significant economic benefit to the region. Paddlers are encouraged to keep an

April 15, 2009

Member Website User Post photos and video Receive AW Beta Protect rivers and river access Receive AW Journal Exclusive vendor discounts 10% discount in AW store Download AW Journal Join as: Just $35 a year! *Already an AW Member? Select “Website User” and you will have the option to link it with your existing Membership Account.

April 15, 2009

AW Membership Benefits Help save and preserve rivers all over the US Help to secure recreational releases on rivers Protect your river access rights, locally and nationally Receive the AW Journal, in print, or online Save with discounts from many national and local vendors Save 10% on purchases from the AW online store Online access to the AW Journal, including back issues Membership dues and donations are tax deductible The satisfaction that you’re speaking up for rivers How to

New AW and LVM Video Podcast Up: The Tallulah (GA)

April 15, 2009

American Whitewater Board Member Rich Bowers and AW’s Jeff Paine talk with John Grace over at LVM about securing releases on the Tallulah Gorge in Georgia. Hot on the heels of our last video podcast on the Cheoah River in NC, this podcast tells the story of one of American Whitewater’s early successes securing recreational releases on the Tallulah Gorge. Highlights include video from the past weekend’s release and Rich telling the story of a power company official’s change

April 15, 2009

Renewing Your AW Membership Remember: renewing early simply extends your membership an additional year from your expiration date, that way you won’t “lose” any part of your current membership. How to Renew Online: americanwhitewater.org/membership By phone: 1-866-BOAT-4-AW Donating All donations to AW are tax deductible and go a long ways to protecting our rivers! Please consider donating today.

Montana Passes Strong Stream Access Law

April 14, 2009

Yesterday Montana Governor, Brian Schweitzer, signed into law a stream access bill that passed the Montana House and Senate with strong bipartisan support. The law recognizes that both rivers and roads are public highways and that the public can legally travel from one to the other. At the same time the law meets landowner interests of protecting their land and livestock through attaching access-friendly fences to county roads and bridges through the public easement. “It’s been 24 long years

2009 Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign

April 14, 2009

American Whitewater and Clif Bar are pleased to announce the 7th annual Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign, pledging $2,500 to American Whitewater Affiliate Clubs for river stewardship work. Funding for this very effective program is provided by Clif Bar. American Whitewater Affiliate Clubs have the opportunity to apply for one of two $1,250 grants. Grants will be distributed to clubs for projects that promote river stewardship, conservation, access, and/or safety education on our nation’s rivers. This program provides our

Holtwood Project Back on the Table (PA)

April 13, 2009

For almost two years American Whitewater and several paddling clubs and businesses carefully reviewed a proposal to modify the Holtwood Hydroelectric Project on Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River and worked to minimize and mitigate the proposed impacts to paddling resources. Then, in a surprise turn of events, in December of last year the power company withdrew its proposal based primarily on the prevailing financial issues. Last week, the power company resubmitted their proposal to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and requested

Survey of Instream Flow Needs for Recreation on the Fox River

April 11, 2009

Currently Kaukauna Utilities is applying for a new license to increase capacity at the Badger Rapide Croche Hydroelectric Project. As proposed the project would significantly reduce flows in the natural river channel, impacting whitewater boating opportunities on the Fox River. In order to develop a more complete record on which to base decisions, American Whitewater is collecting data on use of this reach. We are working with the National Park Service Hydropower Assistance Program in conducting this survey, preparing a

April 9, 2009

Website User Vs. Member Website User: A free account with the American Whitewater website that allows you to do things like post photos and provide edits to river descriptions. This kind of membership does not financially support American Whitewater’s mission. Member: With this kind of membership you financially support American Whitewater’s mission to protect and restore America’s whitewater rivers and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely. You will also receive the American Whitewater Journal. You can join as a

The Last Descent DVD – Proceeds Support American Whitewater!

April 9, 2009

The recently released DVD, The Last Descent, is donating 100% of its profits to river stewardship groups – including American Whitewater! Follow a team of more than 10 world class paddlers and producers as they travel the globe seeking to "raise public awareness of some of the world’s most beautiful, culturally rich and ecologically significant rivers that are threatened by large scale hydropower projects." This DVD features some amazing rivers being paddled for what could be, sadly, their last

April 9, 2009

Join AW and Manage Your Account Online Saving rivers is just one of the many benefits to being an American Whitewater member. Please join today!

April 9, 2009

Manage Your Membership Online Your website user account is not linked to a dues paying membership account. If you’d like to manage your AW membership with this website user account please link your accounts. If you’re not a dues paying American Whitewater member you can join online.

April 9, 2009

Email Verification Periodically we request that non-members verify their email address with us. It is a quick and painless process that can be done here. However, you can bypass verification by becoming an AW member. If you proceed without verifying your email address you may lose your ability to post in our forum, upload photos, leave comments, and receive gauge notifications.

April 9, 2009

Thanks Thank you for verifying your email address!

April 9, 2009

Summary Thank you for joining the American Whitewater website! A summary has been sent to the email address you provided. As you use the AW website please consider joining as a member to support AW’s mission. If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.

April 9, 2009

Member Benefits Explained Post Photos and Video on Website Post in Forums Receive AW Beta Protect Rivers and River Access Receive AW Journal Exclusive Vendor Discounts 10% Discount in AW Store Download AW Journal Plus More… Membership Rewards Explained Save rivers and get awesome gear, free! Membership has its rewards. Ender Club ($100): Ender Club T-ShirtPlatinum Paddler ($250): IR Thin SkinExplorer ($500): Watershed Dry-BagLifetime ($750): NRS Duffle BagLegacy ($1,000): Kokatat Pants and ShirtStewardship Club ($2,500):

April 9, 2009

Member Benefits Explained Post Photos and Video on Website Post in Forums Receive AW Beta Protect Rivers and River Access Receive AW Journal Exclusive Vendor Discounts 10% Discount in AW Store Download AW Journal Plus More… Membership Rewards Explained Save rivers and get awesome gear, free! Membership has its rewards. Ender Club ($100): Ender Club T-Shirt Platinum Paddler ($250): IR Thin Skin Explorer ($500): Keen-AW Backpack Lifetime ($750): NRS Duffle Bag Legacy ($1,000): Kokatat Pants

April 9, 2009

Why Donate to American Whitewater Your donations directly fund American Whitewater river stewardship projects. On each project we work on, we seek land conservation, public river access, stream flow information, and flow releases that benefit the aquatic ecosystem as well as recreation. We have a proven track record of success with each of these goals. These enhancements create a triple bottom line: they result in healthier rivers, they provide local communities a sustainable economic base and they provide opportunities for

April 9, 2009