Articles

The Tuolumne River needs your help!   As part of its Water System Improvement Program (WSIP), the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has proposed diverting an additional 25 million gallons of water per day from the Tuolumne River.   In total, about 60% of the Tuolumne River is already diverted for urban and rural uses, and increasing diversion will do further harm to the River.  The SFPUC already diverts one-third of the Tuolumne River as it flows through Yosemite National

Few people in modern America have as much direct contact with river water as paddlers do. River water enters our bodies every time we go paddling through our mouths, noses, ears, eyes, and any cuts or scrapes we may have. Few of us would scoop up a glass of water from the rivers we paddle and drink it, but in many ways that is exactly what we do every time we go paddling. As we approach the 35th Anniversary of

American Whitewater is completing an assessment of whitewater resources in the North Cascades. The North Cascades is a section of the Cascade Range of Western North America that spans the border between British Columbia and Washington. The information from this survey will be used in the development of a recreational resources layer in partnership with The Wilderness Society and other organizations. It will help us prioritize our river protection efforts through the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, determine how to

American Whitewater received the following email on October 1, 2007: Mr. Mark SingletonExecutive DirectorAmerican Whitewater Mark – Due to the exceptional drought that Northeast Georgia has experience this year, Georgia Power has already cancelled the aesthetic flows from Tallulah Dam for this season.  Due to the projections from the National Weather Service for the rest of this year and into the spring of 2008, Georgia Power has also determined that it will not be releasing water for the whitewater boating

The wild canyons of the North Fork of North Fork American River are nestled between the main North Fork American River and I-80 in the Sierra Nevada range. With headwaters just above Lake Valley Reservoir near Emigrant Gap, it is truly one of the jewels of the North Fork American River drainage. This mostly free flowing tributary drops nearly 4000 feet as it flows 16 miles from the reservoir to its confluence with the main North Fork American at Euchre

What a weekend we had!  With a drought in firm place throughout most of the country paddlers flooded into the mountains of West Virginia this past weekend for the 2007 American Whitewater Gauley River Festival presented by Subaru.  Paddlers were treated to warm sun filled days and blue skies overhead, which many people will tell you is a rare treat for running the Gauley. The festival is a huge fundraiser for American Whitewater’s stewardship work. In addition to AW’s largest

American Whitewater and Wave Sport presented the Steward of the Year Award to Barry Adams of Pittsburgh, PA at the 2007 American Whitewater Gauley Festival in Summersville, WV this past weekend. Adams is the second recipient of the annual river stewardship achievement award that recognizes individuals who make outstanding contributions to river access, conservation, and/or safety on behalf of American Whitewater. Along with the recognition Adams was awarded a Wave Sport boat of his choice. Barry has been instrumental in

 Recreational Flows: Rock Creek This includes the Rogers Flat, Tobin and Lowbin runs. Recreational flow will be provided in the Rock Creek reach on •     Saturday September 22 and Sunday September 23.  The August and September releases will reach 800 cfs by 11 AM on Saturday and be reduced to 700 cfs at 3 PM.  The 700 cfs level will then be maintained until 1 PM on Sunday.  Flows will be ramped up at rates of no more that

River Celebration Night at Rock Bottom Brewery – Wednesday 9/19Rock Bottom will be donating a couple kegs of their new Rocktoberfest which will be available by the pint with a $2 donation to American Whitewater. Drinks at 5:30Raffle at 6:30 Rock Bottom Brewery on the patio1333 5th Ave, Seattle, WA (map)(206) 623-3070 Sandy River Restoration Film – Thursday 9/20Catch the Portland premiere of our new short film about the Sandy River! Hear why the removal of Marmot Dam is important

American Whitewater recently upgraded our membership management software so we can better serve you, our members and donors.  As an unavoidable part of the process, all AW membership numbers were all traded in for new ones.  This might affect some members who have their website user names link to their AW membership.  If you experience any trouble logging in, you might need your new user id number, which we are happy to provide.  Please email Carla Miner at carla@amwhitewater.org or

One could summarize many recent scoping comments regarding the Chattooga River as follows: Anti-Wilderness ATV Advocates Seize Control of Rivers, Threatening Lives of Innocent Children!  The stunning thing is that they are talking about us, the community of folks who simply like to paddle down rivers of all shapes and sizes with our friends and families.  If they weren’t serious – and the US Forest Service wasn’t taking them seriously – this would be hilarious!   The South Carolina Council

Paddlers from all over California and the West came out to celebrate the Feather River and support American Whitewater at this year’s Feather River Festival.   Thanks to some key volunteers from the Chico Paddleheads , the events went off without a hitch.  The slalom and down river races were a success in large part due to the efforts of Keith Kishiyama, Roland McNutt, Charlie Guilbault along with, Macy Burnham.   The old school classic “Wild Americans” was a big hit at

Welcome to the American Whitewater Gauley River Festival presented by Subaru, the paddling world’s biggest party!   Started in 1983 to celebrate the derailment of a hydro-electric project that would have disrupted whitewater flows on the Gauley, Gauley Fest has grown to become the largest river festival in the world, posting attendance numbers of over 5,000 people in 2006.   The festival will feature live entertainment, a whitewater marketplace, lots of on river activities, and a silent auction where you can

Public Comments Needed By September 13!               The USFS recently published a range of 6 potential alternatives explaining how the USFS will manage the upper Chattooga River for the next 15-20 years.  BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR, the USFS will select one of those alternatives or some other alternative based on public input. Importantly, whatever alternative the USFS selects will control whether you get to paddle this spectacular section of river during the next 15-20 years!  The USFS