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Image for Paddling Input Needed North Fork Kern (CA)

Paddling Input Needed North Fork Kern (CA)

Southern California Edison is in the process of conducting studies in support of relicensing KR3, the North Fork Kern River hydropower project that includes Fairview Dam and Kern #3 Powerhouse. American Whitewater has been actively engaged in the KR3 relicensing and working to make sure that the Whitewater Boating Study accurately reflects whitewater recreation use within the project-affected reach. The information gained in this study survey will help American Whitewater and others to advocate for a more favorable and predictable

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Image for Copeland Creek (OR) Log Placement Project Comment Opportunity

Copeland Creek (OR) Log Placement Project Comment Opportunity

American Whitewater has been informed by the Forest Service that the agency intends to implement a habitat restoration project on Fish Creek and Copeland Creek in the North Fork Umpqua Watershed of Oregon. The proposed project would include helicoptering approximately 500 logs into these creeks and be conducted under the provisions of the Pacific Northwest Region Aquatic Restoration Project Environmental Assessment. This Environmental Assessment articulates a goal of ensuring that “direct and indirect effects to recreation resources should be minimal

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Image for Storm Events Cancel Rec Releases SF American River below Slab Creek (CA)

Storm Events Cancel Rec Releases SF American River below Slab Creek (CA)

Scheduled releases for the South Fork American River below Slab Creek for this weekend March 18th and 19th have been cancelled and will be rescheduled to April 15th and 16th. Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has informed American Whitewater that storm event modeling indicate impacts to their ability to physically control releases below Slab Creek Dam. Also, in anticipation of uncontrolled spill over the dam, SMUD elected to remove log booms from Slab Creek reservoir to protect them from high-water

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Image for Storm Events Cancel SF American River below Slab Creek Rec Releases (CA)

Storm Events Cancel SF American River below Slab Creek Rec Releases (CA)

Scheduled releases for the South Fork American River below Slab Creek for this weekend March 18th and 19th have been cancelled and will be rescheduled to April 15th and 16th. Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has informed American Whitewater that storm event modeling forecasts indicate impacts to their ability to physically control releases below Slab Creek Dam. Also, in anticipation of uncontrolled spill over the dam, SMUD elected to remove log booms from Slab Creek reservoir to protect them from

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Image for American Whitewater River Safety Film Series Continues with New Films

American Whitewater River Safety Film Series Continues with New Films

American Whitewater is proud to announce the continuation of our river safety films series, with two new releases available now! Tools of the Trade – Choosing Your Craft and Furthering Rescue and River Running Skills, offer short, up to date and easily digestible tips to help keep you and your friends safe on the water. Choosing the right vehicle for the right river is essential to safe river running, and we cover safety tips specific to individual crafts in our

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Image for New York Whitewater Release Schedule

New York Whitewater Release Schedule

The 2023 New York whitewater release schudule is official. From the Adirondacks to the Delaware River, the release schedule provides whitewater boating opportunities for paddlers from beginner to expert throughout the spring, summer, and fall. These releases have been brought to you by American Whitewater, affilliate clubs, and dedicated partners for more than 30 years. Below are the releases for the Moose, Beaver, Black, Raquette, Hudson, Salmon, and Mongaup Rivers. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++   2023 ADIRONDACK REGION RELEASE SCHEDULE Announcements: – SIGN

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Image for 2023 Recreational Releases Confirmed for Slab Creek and Ice House (CA)

2023 Recreational Releases Confirmed for Slab Creek and Ice House (CA)

Recently, American Whitewater participated in the 2023 hydropower license compliance meeting with Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) to coordinate recreational releases for the South Fork American River below Slab Creek Dam and South Fork Silver Creek below Ice House Dam. The scheduled whitewater flow dates and key information are provided below! South Fork American River below Slab Creek Dam Scheduled flows for Slab Creek will be on the weekend days of March 18, 19, 25, 26 and April 1 & 2

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New Mexico Landowners Petition to SCOTUS on River Access Denied

Last year, the Supreme Court of New Mexico unanimously upheld the state constitution by affirming the public’s right to access all rivers and streams for recreational purposes. Today, landowners who had been fighting for years to exclude the public – in many cases physically by installing barbed wire fences – from rivers that run through their property, had their petition to overturn the state court’s decision denied.  These landowners are two of the original holders of non navigable water certificates

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Image for New Mexico Landowners Petition to SCOTUS on River Access Denied

New Mexico Landowners Petition to SCOTUS on River Access Denied

Last year, the Supreme Court of New Mexico unanimously upheld the state constitution by affirming the public’s right to access all rivers and streams for recreational purposes. Today, landowners who had been fighting for years to exclude the public – in many cases physically by installing barbed wire fences – from rivers that run through their property, had their petition to overturn the state court’s decision denied. These landowners are two of the original holders of non navigable water certificates

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Image for New NC Forest Plan, Cause for Both Celebration and Disappointment

New NC Forest Plan, Cause for Both Celebration and Disappointment

On February 17, 2023, the US Forest Service released their long awaited new management plan for the 1.1 million acre Nantahala Pisgah National Forest, which will set the course of federal management of the area for the next two decades or longer. The Nantahala Pisgah Forest Partnership (the Partnership), a collaborative group of which American Whitewater is an active member, has spent the past decade developing recommendations for the Plan to improve the management of the Forest. The Plan has

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Image for Washington Legislature Paddlesports Education Program Shelved (updated)

Washington Legislature Paddlesports Education Program Shelved (updated)

For the past several years the Washington State legislature has had an interest in improving paddlesports safety and reducing fatalities. It’s a good thing to have the legislature interested in boating safety and we are pleased that it has helped raise the profile of Washington State’s Boating Safety Program. The program has done a great job of acknowledging the needs of the paddlesports community. While the interest in boating safety is appreciated, the specific legislative proposals introduced over the past

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Image for Colorado Water Plan Update Improves Focus on Recreation

Colorado Water Plan Update Improves Focus on Recreation

The Colorado Water Conservation Board finalized the first update to the state water plan at the end of January. American Whitewater submitted detailed comments on recommended changes to the draft plan that was released in the summer of 2022. Recreational considerations were included in both the original 2015 plan and the draft. However, our comments were focused on stressing the importance of river-based recreation to the economy and way of life of many communities in the state. About 50% of

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Image for Great Falls Catawba Update - See You in March!

Great Falls Catawba Update – See You in March!

Following 20 years of work, American Whitewater and our partners are in the final push to have the Great Falls of the Catawba ready for flow restoration and paddling this March. We are confident releases will start in March and conditions will be prime to visit the river thereafter. In the interim few weeks we ask that paddlers please refrain from paddling the river to allow for important hazard-removal and trail work to happen in and around the river. Below

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Image for Lolo National Forest (MT) to Begin Planning - Explore the Web Map

Lolo National Forest (MT) to Begin Planning – Explore the Web Map

The Lolo National Forest, which encircles Missoula, Montana is gearing up to revise their forest plan starting this spring. The new plan will take a fresh look at which rivers merit protection as potential (eligible) Wild and Scenic Rivers and set recreational and other goals for the next 20 or so years. The process takes around 3 years, and there will be ample opportunities to get involved. Paddlers are encouraged to participate, and share their knowledge of rivers and streams. 

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Image for New Clean Water Act Rule Released, Rivers Benefit

New Clean Water Act Rule Released, Rivers Benefit

Last week the Environmental Protection Agency released a new final rule governing which streams and wetlands will be covered by the Clean Water Act. If this sounds familiar, it is for good reason: this issue has been the subject of perennial debate and changes made by various administrations and courts for at least the past two decades. But, for today, for rivers, it is time to celebrate! The new rule, which will likely take effect in 60 days, will restore

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Image for American Whitewater Seeking WordPress Developer for Website Project

American Whitewater Seeking WordPress Developer for Website Project

American Whitewater is seeking the services of a contractor with significant experience in website design, implementation, and support to produce a new version of the main American Whitewater website – www.americanwhitewater.org – in WordPress. The project will integrate with but not replace the National Whitewater Inventory (eg River Info), our CRM, our current branding, or significant backend components of our site. The new site should provide an attractive, fun, and easy to navigate entry point for someone to learn about

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Image for Proposed Crazy Mountain Land Swap Open For Comment (MT)

Proposed Crazy Mountain Land Swap Open For Comment (MT)

The Forest Service is considering a proposed land exchange in Montana that would trade away public lands along Big Timber and Sweet Grass creeks in the Crazy Mountains. The proposal appears unlikely to change paddling access or other values on Big Timber Creek, but access to Sweet Grass could be greatly reduced. This area is riddled with checkerboard ownership and has longstanding public access uncertainties. Hunters, anglers, and other backcountry enthusiasts have largely panned the proposal because it reduces public

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Image for Massachusetts Announces Office of Outdoor Recreation

Massachusetts Announces Office of Outdoor Recreation

Massachusetts joined 16 other states in establishing an Office of Outdoor Recreation to coordinate the efforts of various state agencies in promoting the outdoor recreation economy in the Commonwealth. American Whitewater worked in partnership with affiliate club Appalachian Mountain Club, whitewater outfitter Zoar Outdoor, and industry partners including REI in calling on the state to establish the new office. American Whitewater spearheaded the effort to enact legislation establishing the new office and build support for outdoor recreation in the state.

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Check Out Our Winter Stewardship Update and See What Your Membership Supports!

At the end of every year, American Whitewater takes a hard look at the success we’ve found and the steps forward we’ve taken in our multitude of projects across the country. We then quickly turn to the future and set the next set of ambitious stewardship goals we hope to accomplish in the following year. We share these goals and the progress we’ve achieved towards them in our Winter Stewardship Update. And you should know, we have big plans for

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Image for Check Out Our Winter Stewardship Update and See What Your Membership Supports!

Check Out Our Winter Stewardship Update and See What Your Membership Supports!

At the end of every year, American Whitewater takes a hard look at the success we’ve found and the steps forward we’ve taken in our multitudes of projects across the country. Then we quickly turn to the future and set our next set of ambitious stewardship goals we hope to accomplish in the following year. We share these goals and the progress we’ve achieved towards them in our Winter Stewardship Update. And you should know, we have big plans for

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Image for Share Your Opinions in AW's River Permit Survey

Share Your Opinions in AW’s River Permit Survey

American Whitewater is pleased to announce a survey that will gather paddlers’ opinions on the permit systems that are used to manage use on multi-day river trips. We encourage all paddlers who have ever sought a permit on a multiday trip to take the survey.    Every river has a capacity to sustainably support a specific number of paddlers and other visitors. Beyond that capacity something important starts to be diminished over time. That something – the limiting factor –

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2023 American Whitewater Calendar Now Available

Our 2023 American Whitewater calendar is hot off the presses and available now. Each year, we collect the best photos from our gracious and incredibly talented community and pick out our favorites for our annual calendar. Proceeds from calendar sales support our river stewardship work. It’s an awesome fundraiser for American Whitewater and a product we know you’ll love.  Head to our webstore to purchase your calendar today OR Join or Renew at the Ender Club level or above and receive one with

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2023 American Whitewater Calendar Now Available

Our 2023 American Whitewater calendar is hot off the presses and available now. Each year, we collect the best photos from our gracious and incredibly talented community and pick out our favorites for our annual calendar. Proceeds from calendar sales support our river stewardship work. It’s an awesome fundraiser for American Whitewater and a product we know you’ll love. Keep AW close all year long. Head to our webstore to purchase your calendar today OR Join or Renew at the

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Image for 2023 American Whitewater Holiday Offer!

2023 American Whitewater Holiday Offer!

Looking for that special gift for someone or just feeling the need to treat yourself? Our 2023 American Whitewater Holiday Offer just went live! You can get a Standard Membership ($35), 12 oz MiiR Camp Mug, and a 2023 calendar (plus shipping) all for $75. We’re excited to partner with MiiR this year as they are a Climate Neutral Certified Brand and a B Corporation. In other words, MiiR walks the walks in the sustainable/environmental world! Head to our membership

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Image for 2023 American Whitewater Calendar Now Available

2023 American Whitewater Calendar Now Available

Our 2023 American Whitewater calendar is hot off the presses and now available. Each year, we collect the best photos from our gracious and incredibly talented community and pick out our favorites for our annual calendar. Proceeds from calendar sales support our river stewardship work. It’s an awesome fundraiser for American Whitewater and a product we know you’ll love. Keep AW close all year long. Visit our webstore to purchase yours today! Or join or renew at the Ender Club

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