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New Wild and Scenic Rivers Proposed for Oregon

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

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Willimantic Whitewater Partnership hosts 5th Willimantic Riverfest

The 5th annual Riverfest will be held May 17, from 9:30 to 4:00 at the future site of the Willimantic Whitewater Park in Willimantic, Connecticut.   This year’s event will feature a Kayak Kicker Ramp. Being an entry-level ramp, and one of the few ramps on the East Coast, this is your opportunity for an airborne experience. The ramp will be open the entire RiverFest for those wishing to get as much airtime as possible.   Several paddling games will

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Image for Action Alert: Protect Idaho's Backcountry Paddling

Action Alert: Protect Idaho’s Backcountry Paddling

As the original highways used to explore our country, rivers offer a unique way to experience backcountry areas by water. The few remaining wild rivers are invaluable to Americans who prefer to experience nature in their canoes, kayaks and rafts. Nowhere else in the contiguous United States can paddlers find as many remote and wild whitewater rivers as exist in Idaho. Some of the most treasured rivers flow through backcountry roadless areas including the North Fork Boise, Upper Deadwood, Upper

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Willimantic Whitewater Partnership hosts 5th Willimantic Riverfest

The 5th annual Riverfest will be held May 17, from 9:30 to 4:00 at the future site of the Willimantic Whitewater Park in Willimantic, Connecticut.   This year’s event will feature a Kayak Kicker Ramp. Being an entry-level ramp, and one of the few ramps on the East Coast, this is your opportunity for an airborne experience. The ramp will be open the entire RiverFest for those wishing to get as much airtime as possible.   Several paddling games will

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Action Alert: Protect Idaho’s Backcountry Paddling

As the original highways used to explore our country, rivers offer a unique way to experience backcountry areas by water. The few remaining wild rivers are invaluable to Americans who prefer to experience nature in their canoes, kayaks and rafts. Nowhere else in the contiguous United States can paddlers find as many remote and wild whitewater rivers as exist in Idaho. Some of the most treasured rivers flow through backcountry roadless areas including the North Fork Boise, Upper Deadwood, Upper

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Internships at American Whitewater

INTERNSHIP IN RIVER CONSERVATION AND RECREATION     American Whitewater Organized in 1954, American Whitewater�s mission is to "conserve and restore America�s whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely." American Whitewater is a national river conservation organization with a membership of more than 6,000 individual members and 100 local kayak and canoe club affiliates, representing some 80,000 whitewater paddlers across the country. National Office Internship The National Office Internship is a three – six-month position that can

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Image for Milltown Dam Breached!

Milltown Dam Breached!

On Friday, March 28th, hundreds of people gathered to watch the breaching of Milltown Dam just upstream of Missoula, MT.  The dam had impounded the confluence of the Blackfoot and Clark Fork rivers for a century.   During that time the dam trapped mining waste from upstream that contained toxic chemicals like arsenic.  The pressure of the reservoir drove arsenic into nearby wells, and to top it all off the dam was deemed a high risk for failure.   Based on nearly

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Milltown Dam Breached!

On Friday, March 28th, hundreds of people gathered to watch the breaching of Milltown Dam just upstream of Missoula, MT.  The dam had impounded the confluence of the Blackfoot and Clark Fork rivers for a century.   During that time the dam trapped mining waste from upstream that contained toxic chemicals like arsenic.  The pressure of the reservoir drove arsenic into nearby wells, and to top it all off the dam was deemed a high risk for failure.   Based on nearly

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Image for Time for the Tallulah!

Time for the Tallulah!

With the Southeast struggling with one of the worst draughts of recent years last fall the annual relases for the Tallulah Gorge were cancelled.  With some recent rain in the Southeast AW has received the official nod that the there is enough water to run the releases in April.  The releases through this spectaculare gorge are the first two weekends in April.  Here are a few reminders for the Tallulah releases in case we have forgotten anything in the past

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Time for the Tallulah!

With the Southeast struggling with one of the worst draughts of recent years last fall the annual relases for the Tallulah Gorge were cancelled.  With some recent rain in the Southeast AW has received the official nod that the there is enough water to run the releases in April.  The releases through this spectaculare gorge are the first two weekends in April.  Here are a few reminders for the Tallulah releases in case we have forgotten anything in the past

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Image for Bear River Volunteer Recognition and New Releases!

Bear River Volunteer Recognition and New Releases!

  AW is pleased to announce the schedule for new whitewater pulse flows on the Black Canyon of the Bear River in Southeastern Idaho.  At the same time we would like to recognize the volunteer largely responsible for these releases.  We gratefully nominate Charlie Vincent as April’s AW Volunteer of the Month.  Charlie has been American Whitewater’s primary representative on the Bear River for many years, and has spent countless days in meetings on our behalf.  Thanks Charlie!   The

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Bear River Volunteer Recognition and New Releases!

  AW is pleased to announce the schedule for new whitewater pulse flows on the Black Canyon of the Bear River in Southeastern Idaho.  At the same time we would like to recognize the volunteer largely responsible for these releases.  We gratefully nominate Charlie Vincent as April’s AW Volunteer of the Month.  Charlie has been American Whitewater’s primary representative on the Bear River for many years, and has spent countless days in meetings on our behalf.  Thanks Charlie!   The

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Image for Great News For Sullivan Creek! (WA)

Great News For Sullivan Creek! (WA)

Yesterday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission overturned a previous decision they had made that would have allowed the owner of the dams, flumes, and powerhouse on Sullivan Creek to simply abandon the project.  The ruling came in response to rehearing challenges filed by American Whitewater, the United States Forest Service, and the State of Washington.    FERC states in the decision: "The Forest Service, Washington DFW, and American Whitewater argue that the existing license is valid, and that the Commission

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Great News For Sullivan Creek! (WA)

Yesterday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission overturned a previous decision they had made that would have allowed the owner of the dams, flumes, and powerhouse on Sullivan Creek to simply abandon the project.  The ruling came in response to rehearing challenges filed by American Whitewater, the United States Forest Service, and the State of Washington.    FERC states in the decision: "The Forest Service, Washington DFW, and American Whitewater argue that the existing license is valid, and that the Commission

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Image for Tame the Tyger Race (SC)

Tame the Tyger Race (SC)

On April 12, the 9th Annual Tame the Tyger River Race and Festival promises paddling enthusiasts more fun than ever as they paddle their way through 7.5 miles of Class I and II whitewater on the Tyger in Spartanburg County, SC.   Boaters can push their endurance to the limit or float their way down the course.  Great prizes and boat giveaways will spur more advanced boaters to rush to the finish line. Safety boaters along the river will ensure participants of all

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Tame the Tyger Race (SC)

On April 12, the 9th Annual Tame the Tyger River Race and Festival promises paddling enthusiasts more fun than ever as they paddle their way through 7.5 miles of Class I and II whitewater on the Tyger in Spartanburg County, SC.   Boaters can push their endurance to the limit or float their way down the course.  Great prizes and boat giveaways will spur more advanced boaters to rush to the finish line. Safety boaters along the river will ensure participants of all

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Saving the Clearwater

Short, steep, sketchy, and located in the upper headwaters of the Middle Fork Nooksack drainage, Clearwater Creek is a quintessential Northwest Creek run. Set right in the middle of no-where, and a haven only for wildlife, loggers, and sometimes anglers and tribal members, the Class V Clearwater was a great whitewater secret – the perfect run! Who would be interested in a low-volume stream that drops 360 feet in less than two miles, and that has enough water to paddle

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Image for Wilson Creek At-Risk Land To Be Protected (NC)

Wilson Creek At-Risk Land To Be Protected (NC)

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, on behalf of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, has secured a contract with The Lutz Family Partnership to purchase 649 acres along almost four miles of National Wild and Scenic Wilson Creek in Caldwell County for $7 million dollars.   Surrounded by Pisgah National Forest, the land will be owned by the State of North Carolina and managed by the Wildlife Resources Commission. The scenic tract will offer outstanding public access to Wilson Creek, a favorite

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Image for French Broad River Festival DVD Party March 20

French Broad River Festival DVD Party March 20

Join us at the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville, NC, Thursday, March 20 at 8pm for the release of the official 10th Annual French Broad River Festival DVD. The party will start around 8pm…the movie premier will start at around 9pm and the Trainwreks will start around 10pm. We should also have a few musical guests join in here and there, as well. The best part about this party is that it is FREE!!! That’s

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Wilson Creek At-Risk Land To Be Protected (NC)

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, on behalf of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, has secured a contract with The Lutz Family Partnership to purchase 649 acres along almost four miles of National Wild and Scenic Wilson Creek in Caldwell County for $7 million dollars.   Surrounded by Pisgah National Forest, the land will be owned by the State of North Carolina and managed by the Wildlife Resources Commission. The scenic tract will offer outstanding public access to Wilson Creek, a favorite

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French Broad River Festival DVD Party March 20

Join us at the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville, NC, Thursday, March 20 at 8pm for the release of the official 10th Annual French Broad River Festival DVD. The party will start around 8pm…the movie premier will start at around 9pm and the Trainwreks will start around 10pm. We should also have a few musical guests join in here and there, as well. The best part about this party is that it is FREE!!! That’s

Read More
Image for Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers in Google Earth

Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers in Google Earth

As part of the forest planning process the Forest Service is required to evaluate rivers for potential designation as Wild and Scenic Rivers. When the agency determines that a river is eligible for designation the identified Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORVs) that led to the eligibility determination must be protected. Because eligible rivers are identified in Forest Plans that may not be available electronically and are often described using legal descriptions that are not always intuitive, we have worked with our

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Image for Rogue River Draft Navigability Report Issued

Rogue River Draft Navigability Report Issued

The Oregon Department of State Lands has recently released a Rogue River Navigability Report concluding that the 89 mile stretch of the Rogue River from Lost Creek Dam to Grave Creek meets the federal test for navigability. While this staff report supports American Whitewater’s position, the final decision concerning navigability rests with the State Land Board (consisting of the Governor, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer). The section of the river under consideration is just upstream of the wilderness run

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Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers in Google Earth

As part of the forest planning process the Forest Service is required to evaluate rivers for potential designation as Wild and Scenic Rivers. When the agency determines that a river is eligible for designation the identified Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORVs) that led to the eligibility determination must be protected. Because eligible rivers are identified in Forest Plans that may not be available electronically and are often described using legal descriptions that are not always intuitive, we have worked with our

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Rogue River Draft Navigability Report Issued

The Oregon Department of State Lands has recently released a Rogue River Navigability Report concluding that the 89 mile stretch of the Rogue River from Lost Creek Dam to Grave Creek meets the federal test for navigability. While this staff report supports American Whitewater’s position, the final decision concerning navigability rests with the State Land Board (consisting of the Governor, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer). The section of the river under consideration is just upstream of the wilderness run

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