April 1-30 – Rafting flows of 800-1500 cfs are anticipated throughout the month except that flows will be reduced to 500 cfs from April 14-18 to facilitate fish surveys. May 1-31 – It is anticipated the flows will range between 800 cfs and 2,000 cfs in the first half of May and increase to a peak of 3,000-4000 cfs in the third week of May. An attempt will be made to keep flows in the 2,000-2,500 cfs range over Memorial
Representatives from the paddling community today reached an Agreement in Principle (AIP) with the owner of the Holtwood Hydroelectric Project, Pennsylvania Power and Light (PPL). PPL originally proposed modifications to their dam on the Susquehanna River that would increase power generation, improve currently poor fish passage, and cause additional impacts to whitewater boating. Local paddlers and regional clubs, with American Whitewater’s assistance, have been working with PPL for over a year to explore ways of minimizing and mitigating impacts to
American Whitewater partners with Riverlink and the Nantahala Outdoor Center for a river cleanup on the French Broad River as part of the annual French Broad River Festival. Each May lovers of rivers and music gather on the banks of the French Broad River to celebrate the mountain lifestyle at the French Broad River Festival. The festival gives back to the community by raising funds for the river stewardship work of American Whitewater and various local charities. At the
Representatives from the paddling community today reached an Agreement in Principle (AIP) with the owner of the Holtwood Hydroelectric Project, Pennsylvania Power and Light (PPL). PPL originally proposed modifications to their dam on the Susquehanna River that would increase power generation, improve currently poor fish passage, and cause additional impacts to whitewater boating. Local paddlers and regional clubs, with American Whitewater’s assistance, have been working with PPL for over a year to explore ways of minimizing and mitigating impacts to
American Whitewater partners with Riverlink and the Nantahala Outdoor Center for a river cleanup on the French Broad River as part of the annual French Broad River Festival. Each May lovers of rivers and music gather on the banks of the French Broad River to celebrate the mountain lifestyle at the French Broad River Festival. The festival gives back to the community by raising funds for the river stewardship work of American Whitewater and various local charities. At the
Boaters in the northeast have good reason to be excited this month. The Rio Project on the Mongaup River (NY) will reopen this month after being closed to recreation for nearly three years. In May 2005, inspectors noticed a sinkhole on the face of the dam at Swinging Bridge Reservoir, upstream from Rio. Emergency measures kicked in; all of the Mongaup projects began dumping water, the Upper Delaware River was closed to recreation, and authorities began evacuating Port Jervis,
Boaters in the northeast have good reason to be excited this month. The Rio Project on the Mongaup River (NY) will reopen this month after being closed to recreation for nearly three years. In May 2005, inspectors noticed a sinkhole on the face of the dam at Swinging Bridge Reservoir, upstream from Rio. Emergency measures kicked in; all of the Mongaup projects began dumping water, the Upper Delaware River was closed to recreation, and authorities began evacuating Port Jervis,
The Pit 1 reach of the Pit River, from Fall River Mills to highway 299, will have releases again this summer. Many people got on this run for the first time two years ago and found it to be a great class III/ IV run. This years releases will be for one weekend in June, July and August. This year’s dates are: June 21 – 22 July 19 – 20 August 16 – 17 Put-inIf you choose to put-in at
The Pit 1 reach of the Pit River, from Fall River Mills to highway 299, will have releases again this summer. Many people got on this run for the first time two years ago and found it to be a great class III/ IV run. This years releases will be for one weekend in June, July and August. This year’s dates are: June 21 – 22 July 19 – 20 August 16 – 17 Put-inIf you choose to put-in at
As part of the relicensing for the Lewis River Hydroelectric projects, PacifiCorp was required to address recreational sites on their reservoirs. One site of interest to whitewater paddlers is the access used as a take-out for the popular Canyon Creek run. As part of their recreation plan, PacifiCorp proposed improving the take-out trail, currently a muddy scramble up the bank, to address erosion issues and improve safety. They would also formalize the public parking at the Highway 503 bridge for
In 2007 the Forest Service began a statewide study of rivers in Utah’s National Forests to determine which are suitable for protection, and should become Wild and Scenic Rivers. Last November the Forest Service released a Draft Enironmental Impact Statement that included its preliminary recommendations. Unfortunately, the list or rivers that were recommended to be protected as Wild and Scenic Rivers was woefully inadequate. In their Draft EIS, the Forest Service recommended only 24 non-controversial river segments to become Wild
In 2007 the Forest Service began a statewide study of rivers in Utah’s National Forests to determine which are suitable for protection, and should become Wild and Scenic Rivers. Last November the Forest Service released a Draft Enironmental Impact Statement that included its preliminary recommendations. Unfortunately, the list or rivers that were recommended to be protected as Wild and Scenic Rivers was woefully inadequate. In their Draft EIS, the Forest Service recommended only 24 non-controversial river segments to become Wild
Yesterday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released its Environmental Assessment (EA) of boating on the Ausable Chasm. The EA marks a critical milestone in American Whitewater’s decade-long effort to secure paddling access to the beautiful Class IV Ausable Chasm, which is boatable nearly every day of the year. Access is currently blocked by New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) and NYSEG’s proposal was to continue this total prohibition on paddling for the next 30 years. FERC received
Yesterday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released its Environmental Assessment (EA) of boating on the Ausable Chasm. The EA marks a critical milestone in American Whitewater’s decade-long effort to secure paddling access to the beautiful Class IV Ausable Chasm, which is boatable nearly every day of the year. Access is currently blocked by New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) and NYSEG’s proposal was to continue this total prohibition on paddling for the next 30 years. FERC received
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commmission (FERC) will be holding a site visit and public scoping meetings for the Holtwood Hydroelectric Project on Pennsylvania‘s Susquehanna River on April 17, 2008. The meetings are intended to help them identify the scope of issues to be addressed as they consider a proposal by the dam owner to expand their facilities and delay relicensing for 16 years. The daytime scoping meeting will focus on resource agency concerns, while the evening scoping meeting is
Earlier today the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a new 30 year license for the Prospect Hydroelectric Project (P-2630) on the North Fork of the Rogue River in southern Oregon. The North Fork Rogue is a spectacular river that originates from the slopes of Crater Lake National Park and flows year around through the Rogue River National Forest where it is designated as a Wild and Scenic River. While there are a few different sections on this river that
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commmission (FERC) will be holding a site visit and public scoping meetings for the Holtwood Hydroelectric Project on Pennsylvania‘s Susquehanna River on April 17, 2008. The meetings are intended to help them identify the scope of issues to be addressed as they consider a proposal by the dam owner to expand their facilities and delay relicensing for 16 years. The daytime scoping meeting will focus on resource agency concerns, while the evening scoping meeting is
Earlier today the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a new 30 year license for the Prospect Hydroelectric Project (P-2630) on the North Fork of the Rogue River in southern Oregon. The North Fork Rogue is a spectacular river that originates from the slopes of Crater Lake National Park and flows year around through the Rogue River National Forest where it is designated as a Wild and Scenic River. While there are a few different sections on this river that
2008 Forecasted Spill Dolores River Below McPhee Reservoir (updated 3-31-08) No change to the seasonal forecast below, though new inflow forecast due later this week. Releases this week, March 31 through Sunday April 6, 2008 will be approximately 800 cfs. Still expecting low, 500 cfs, flows for Department of Wildlife fish surveys on April 14 – 18. Most current flows available at Department of Water Resources site, Dolores gage below McPhee. http://www.dwr.state.co.us March 1-31 – Releases will approximate natural inflows
2008 Forecasted Spill Dolores River Below McPhee Reservoir (updated 3-31-08) No change to the seasonal forecast below, though new inflow forecast due later this week. Releases this week, March 31 through Sunday April 6, 2008 will be approximately 800 cfs. Still expecting low, 500 cfs, flows for Department of Wildlife fish surveys on April 14 – 18. Most current flows available at Department of Water Resources site, Dolores gage below McPhee. http://www.dwr.state.co.us March 1-31 – Releases will approximate natural inflows
In 2007, the inaugural year for the South Platte River Clean-up, we saw over 160 participants and successfully removed over TWO TONS of garbage from the river way. This was a cooperative effort amongst local retailers, manufacturers, vendor reps, clubs and non-profit organizations in the greater Denver Metro Area. With several new partners looking to assist with the effort this year, our goal is to make a visible difference in the major waterway of the Denver area. This year we
The annual Hoosic River Whitewater Release into the Schaghticoke Gorge will be on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. American Whitewater and Adirondack Mountain Club negotiated these releases in the relicensing process for this hydropower project with Reliant Energy, and the project is now operated by Brookfield Power. The Hoosic truly has something for everyone. It has an impressive Class V upper section and a fun Class III lower section. Schaghticoke Gorge is in Schaghticoke, New
In 2007, the inaugural year for the South Platte River Clean-up, we saw over 160 participants and successfully removed over TWO TONS of garbage from the river way. This was a cooperative effort amongst local retailers, manufacturers, vendor reps, clubs and non-profit organizations in the greater Denver Metro Area. With several new partners looking to assist with the effort this year, our goal is to make a visible difference in the major waterway of the Denver area. This year we
The annual Hoosic River Whitewater Release into the Schaghticoke Gorge will be on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. American Whitewater and Adirondack Mountain Club negotiated these releases in the relicensing process for this hydropower project with Reliant Energy, and the project is now operated by Brookfield Power. The Hoosic truly has something for everyone. It has an impressive Class V upper section and a fun Class III lower section. Schaghticoke Gorge is in Schaghticoke, New
Today Congressmen Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) announced their plan for increasing Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers in Oregon this year. Their vision includes adding approximately 132,000 acres of Wilderness, 79.6 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers, and 34,550 acres of National Recreation Areas to the Mt. Hood National Forest. It also calls for over 142 miles of new Wild and Scenic rivers for Rogue River tributaries, and adds protection for the Oregon Caves National Monument. “Our
