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Image for May/June Issue of AW Journal is available online!

May/June Issue of AW Journal is available online!

This issue features articles on Family paddling:   *     Family Equals Paddling *     One Family’s Approach *     Boating with Munchkins *     Family Paddling *     Dad’s Perspective: Hunker Down! *     Mom’s Perspective: Family and Whitewater: A Beautiful Balance *     Class II Will Do (In order to read the online version, you must be registered with the AW website and have your membership account associated with your website user account) Get your journal online and save AW money! The online journal includes

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Image for A Cleaner French Broad River

A Cleaner French Broad River

The 2009 French Broad River Cleanup was a huge success. Over 30 individuals removed a mountain of trash from the French Broad River on May 1st. Included in that mountain were over a dozen tires, 35 bags of trash, 3 buckets of glass, one highway barrel and hundreds of sporting balls (tennis balls, basketballs, baseballs, footballs).  A special thanks goes out to those who helped in the cleanup and our partners; Nantahala Outdoor Center, RiverLink and KEEN. Mark your calendars

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Image for Join AW at PaddleFest '09

Join AW at PaddleFest ’09

Whitewater enthusiasts will descend onto the historic town of Buena Vista on the Upper Arkansas River May 22-25th, 2009 for a huge kickoff party to celebrate the start of the summer whitewater boating season.  Buena Vista-based Colorado Kayak Supply is coordinating an action-packed weekend of fun and educational activities for paddlers of all ages and abilities. Kayakers from beginners to aspiring competitors can rub elbows with paddling manufacturers, top pro kayakers, and other industry pros during a weekend chock full

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Image for Boating Study Releases TENTATIVELY planned South Yuba and Canyon Creek

Boating Study Releases TENTATIVELY planned South Yuba and Canyon Creek

Boater input is very important to this process.  Please help us, yourself, and your friends by filling out a survey if you paddle any of the reaches noted below.  The survey is located at: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB227LJ27QED4   The following study releases are being TENTATIVELY planned for Friday, May 8th; Saturday, May 9th; and Sunday, May 10th.  This information will be updated on Monday, May 4th.     Planned Releases Reservoir                   Release          Reach(es) Affected Bowman                       250 cfs           – Canyon Creek from

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Image for The 24th Annual Green River (WA) Cleanup is Set For May 2, 2009!

The 24th Annual Green River (WA) Cleanup is Set For May 2, 2009!

The biggest, oldest, best river cleanup in Washington State needs your help to make this year’s Green River Cleanup the best ever.   The Green River Cleanup is organized by primary sponsors Washington Recreational River Runners (WRRR) and Friends of the Green River (FOG).  Other sponsors include: Middle Green River Coalition, Washington Kayak Club, Paddle Trails Canoe Club, University Kayak Club, Mountaineers, BEWET, American Whitewater, Sierra Club, Green-Duwamish Watershed Alliance and Washington State Parks, King County, and more.   BOATERS:

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Image for AW addresses Local Alternative to Wild & Scenic River Management

AW addresses Local Alternative to Wild & Scenic River Management

In 2007, the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released it’s report on the eligibility of rivers in the Upper Colorado River basin for Wild and Scenic River designation.  In response to potential federal protection for Colorado’s headwater rivers, and the impact Wild and Scenic River management might have on the ability of the State to develop new water projects, various state agencies, local governments, and water providers came together in a collaborative effort to propose a local alternative to

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Image for Slim Ray's River Rescue Back In Print

Slim Ray’s River Rescue Back In Print

River Rescue is back in print! The 4th edition of Slim Ray’s authoritative reference for  whitewater paddlers is better than ever. There’s lots of new material in its 292 fact-filled pages. Here’s where you can find the tools and techniques you’ll need to deal with any emergency. The book covers self-rescue and rescue of others by hand, boat, rope, and  more It includes sections on leadership, teamwork, patient care, evacuation, and more. You’ll see new photos and first-hand accounts of

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Image for The 2009 Women's Issue Needs You

The 2009 Women’s Issue Needs You

American Whitewater wants to hear your stories about–and by–Women in Whitewater. No matter how often, how difficult, or even how you enjoy whitewater, we want to hear from you. No story is too long, no topic is off limits (yet). With your contributions, we’ll make this the best Womens Issue we’ve ever had!    Please send text and photos (don’t forget captions and credits!) to editor@americanwhitewater.org before May 5th. You can e-mail us if you have any questions about how

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Image for 3rd Annual South Platte Clean-up - Colorado

3rd Annual South Platte Clean-up – Colorado

                To utilize the shuttle: show up at Grant Frontier Park before 9:00 as registration begins and unload your boats and bikes. Please be quick about unloading here as space is limited. Then drive to City of Cuernavaca park, where you can leave your vehicle and catch the Outward Bound bus back to the put-in. Grant Frontier Park is located just south of Evans on South Platte River Drive East at 2190 S

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Image for New Dam Proposed on Tyger River Tributary (SC)

New Dam Proposed on Tyger River Tributary (SC)

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

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

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

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

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Image for Cresta Flows Again! North Fork Feather 2009 (CA)

Cresta Flows Again! North Fork Feather 2009 (CA)

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

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Image for Hoosic Release on the Way

Hoosic Release on the Way

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

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Image for West River Update (VT)

West River Update (VT)

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

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    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.      

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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

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

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

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

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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.

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Image for Montana Passes Strong Stream Access Law

Montana Passes Strong Stream Access Law

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

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Image for 2009 Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign

2009 Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign

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

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Image for Holtwood Project Back on the Table (PA)

Holtwood Project Back on the Table (PA)

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

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Image for Survey of Instream Flow Needs for Recreation on the Fox River

Survey of Instream Flow Needs for Recreation on the Fox River

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

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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

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Image for The Last Descent DVD - Proceeds Support American Whitewater!

The Last Descent DVD – Proceeds Support American Whitewater!

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

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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!

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