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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

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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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Image for Elk Creek Dam Notching Moves Forward

Elk Creek Dam Notching Moves Forward

On Thursday the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it has awarded a $7.9 million contract to the firm McMillen-McDougall to remove a section of the Elk Creek Dam in the Rogue River basin and restore Elk Creek to its historic alignment. Construction of Elk Creek Dam was halted in 1988 in response to lawsuits over its construction but the partially completed dam has remained as a barrier to fish and navigation. Work on the site is expected to

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Image for New Flow Releases on the Pit River (CA)

New Flow Releases on the Pit River (CA)

Pacific Gas and Electric Company will increase water flows on a 22.5-mile stretch of the Pit River in Shasta County beginning on March 7th. The increased flows will occur at a frequency resembling natural water flows, which will benefit the associated ecosystem as well as provide additional whitewater boating opportunities. The increased flows will begin downstream from the Lake Britton dam, also known as the Pit 3 dam, which is on Clark Creek Road north of Burney. Dubbed “freshet flows,”

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Elk Creek Dam Notching Moves Forward

On Thursday the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it has awarded a $7.9 million contract to the firm McMillen-McDougall to remove a section of the Elk Creek Dam in the Rogue River basin and restore Elk Creek to its historic alignment. Construction of Elk Creek Dam was halted in 1988 in response to lawsuits over its construction but the partially completed dam has remained as a barrier to fish and navigation. Work on the site is expected to

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New Flow Releases on the Pit River (CA)

Pacific Gas and Electric Company will increase water flows on a 22.5-mile stretch of the Pit River in Shasta County beginning on March 7th. The increased flows will occur at a frequency resembling natural water flows, which will benefit the associated ecosystem as well as provide additional whitewater boating opportunities. The increased flows will begin downstream from the Lake Britton dam, also known as the Pit 3 dam, which is on Clark Creek Road north of Burney. Dubbed “freshet flows,”

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Image for Cispus River Paddle

Cispus River Paddle

Local paddlers are planning trips on the Cispus River this spring and Lewis County PUD has agreed to open the gate to the take-out on selected dates that include 3/15, 4/19, and 5/10. The access is available on other weekends but requires a key to reach the take-out. You can contact the utility to apply for a key or if you park outside the gate it’s a hike of a couple hundred yards from the river (check the PUD website

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Image for 4th Annual Nantahala Falls Open

4th Annual Nantahala Falls Open

Endless River Adventures and Wave Sport Host Fourth Annual Nantahala  Falls Open Endless River Adventures and Team Wave Sport, as well as a myriad of industry sponsors are pleased to announce the 4th annual Nantahala Open, to be held on the Nantahala River on Saturday, April 26th, 2008. The Nantahala Open has gained the reputation as a fun competition; open to all boaters no matter the experience or ability, consisting of categories for every skill level–and the prizes that go

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Image for Clark Fork to Flow Free This Month

Clark Fork to Flow Free This Month

Montana’s Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers are scheduled to flow free later this month for the first time since 1908.  Milltown Dam has blocked fish and recreationists in the rivers for a century – but perhaps more critically has trapped sediment contaminated with toxic heavy metals from an upstream mine on the Clark Fork.  In the late 1990’s it was discovered that the aging dam was at high risk of failure – putting downstream areas at risk of being flooded

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Cispus River Paddle

Local paddlers are planning trips on the Cispus River this spring and Lewis County PUD has agreed to open the gate to the take-out on selected dates that include 3/15, 4/19, and 5/10. The access is available on other weekends but requires a key to reach the take-out. You can contact the utility to apply for a key or if you park outside the gate it’s a hike of a couple hundred yards from the river (check the PUD website

Read More

4th Annual Nantahala Falls Open

Endless River Adventures and Wave Sport Host Fourth Annual Nantahala  Falls Open Endless River Adventures and Team Wave Sport, as well as a myriad of industry sponsors are pleased to announce the 4th annual Nantahala Open, to be held on the Nantahala River on Saturday, April 26th, 2008. The Nantahala Open has gained the reputation as a fun competition; open to all boaters no matter the experience or ability, consisting of categories for every skill level–and the prizes that go

Read More

Clark Fork to Flow Free This Month

Montana’s Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers are scheduled to flow free later this month for the first time since 1908.  Milltown Dam has blocked fish and recreationists in the rivers for a century – but perhaps more critically has trapped sediment contaminated with toxic heavy metals from an upstream mine on the Clark Fork.  In the late 1990’s it was discovered that the aging dam was at high risk of failure – putting downstream areas at risk of being flooded

Read More
Image for Lolo Creek (ID) Access and Gage Update

Lolo Creek (ID) Access and Gage Update

The bridge at the takeout for Idaho’s Lolo Creek has been replaced since the 2007 paddling season.  The construction eliminated historical parking areas adjacent to the bridge, and also removed the USGS staff gage used by paddlers to determine the flow.    American Whitewater has been in touch with the BLM regarding these two issues, and they have been very helpful.  In 2002, BLM wisely purchased a parcel of land for public access in case access was eliminated upstream.  The

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Lolo Creek (ID) Access and Gage Update

The bridge at the takeout for Idaho’s Lolo Creek has been replaced since the 2007 paddling season.  The construction eliminated historical parking areas adjacent to the bridge, and also removed the USGS staff gage used by paddlers to determine the flow.    American Whitewater has been in touch with the BLM regarding these two issues, and they have been very helpful.  In 2002, BLM wisely purchased a parcel of land for public access in case access was eliminated upstream.  The

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Image for 24th Annual Tuckasegee River Clean-Up on April 19, 2008

24th Annual Tuckasegee River Clean-Up on April 19, 2008

Base Camp Cullowhee at Western Carolina University is proud to present the 24th Annual Tuckasegee River Clean-Up on April 19, 2008.  Come show your support for the community and the environment while having fun on the river.  The Tuck Clean-Up is the largest single day river clean up project in the nation, in the past years over 600 concerned volunteers have come out to show their support for the Tuckasegee River.  Volunteers have the option of walking a section of

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24th Annual Tuckasegee River Clean-Up on April 19, 2008

Base Camp Cullowhee at Western Carolina University is proud to present the 24th Annual Tuckasegee River Clean-Up on April 19, 2008.  Come show your support for the community and the environment while having fun on the river.  The Tuck Clean-Up is the largest single day river clean up project in the nation, in the past years over 600 concerned volunteers have come out to show their support for the Tuckasegee River.  Volunteers have the option of walking a section of

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Image for 6th Annual Flowing Rivers Campaign with Clif Bar

6th Annual Flowing Rivers Campaign with Clif Bar

Clif Bar and American Whitewater have teamed up to promote river stewardship and safety efforts in paddling clubs. American Whitewater and Clif Bar are pleased to announce the 6th 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

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