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Not sure what to give your paddling friends this holdiay season? AW can help!  American Whitewater has just the gifts for your paddling friends or loved ones. Here are just a few ideas: Water, Rivers, AccessThere is only one way to make sure your rivers are protected…a membership with American Whitewater.  This makes the perfect gift for any whitewater paddler.  For as little as $35, you can give your friend the ease of mind that they support American Whitewater’s national

The National Park Service has released their new plan for managing the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. The new plan will do away with the wait list over a period of several years and instate a lottery system in its place.  The plan will allow significantly more private boating trips, but will reduce the total number of all trips on the river at any given time.  American Whitewater staff and volunteers are still analyzing the new plan and hope to post

There are 2 pressing issues out there right now that could lead to new mining impacts on public lands and rivers.  The first issue is a bill in the US House of Representatives that would allow mining companies to buy a large percentage of our National public lands.  The second issue is the expiration of a 20 year ban on mining along the Wild and Scenic eligible Lower Salmon River in Idaho.ISSUE 1:  NATIONAL ISSUE: URGENTLegislation in the U.S. House of Representatives this week would

Earlier this fall the North Carolina National Forests released the Comprehensive River Management Plan for Wilson Creek.  The plan, as required by law, outlines how the Pisgah National Forest will manage Wilson Creek as a recently designated Wild and Scenic River.  The Forest Service is required to manage the river in a manner that protects the values that led to the river’s designation, and they have done just that.The plan represents scientifically sound and wise river management.  Under the plan, the ecological integrity

November’s AW Volunteer of the Month is Lynne Westerfield!Lynne is being recognized as a thank you for all her efforts in developing the AW 2005 River Stewardship Survey, and as a bribe for all the analysis work ahead on the survey.  She swears that she is “really excited” about doing the statistical analysis, but we are not taking any chances.       Lynne approached AW earlier this year about doing some volunteer work while she wraps up her masters degree at the University of Idaho.  We took her up on

It’s that time of year already, time for Tallulah season on November 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20. This year, there are a few changes that the Tallulah Gorge State Park wants to pass along. RegistrationRegistration will be different this year. Instead of initialing the books, you will need to fill out a permit form for each run you make. We will be handing these out in the parking lot as you arrive. Please fill them in before heading to the stairs

Who are you?  What do you care about?  What defines your relationship to rivers?  How can river managers help you have great paddling experiences?  These are just a few of the questions that American Whitewater hopes to answer with our 2005 AW River Stewardship Survey. By takng a few minutes (roughly 15) to fill out this survey, you will help chart the course of our program in the coming year, and will help us better understand and represent your interests.  We are also

The November December issue of the AW journal is now online for AW members to enjoy.  The November issue includes the result of the year long River Story and Photo contest, along with the runner up entries as well.  The November issue of whitewater’s longest running publication is also full of great updates on AW’s river stewardship work, Sue Taft’s history lesson, and Clay Wright talks about why paddlers compete.  AW members can check out the journal at http://www.americanwhitewater.org/journal/, you

This is the time of year many workplaces are doing their annual philanthropy campaigns through their own company or their regional United Way and CFC programs.  We have had a number of calls about how to participate in these programs.  Federal employees will be pleased to know that you can donate to AW through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).  AW has been very fortunate over the years to benefit from paddlers who are federal employees and designate us as the recipient of their

The National Park Service recently offered the country an update on the long awaited Colorado River Management Plan, which could potentially improve the permit system that controls boating use on the river.  American Whitewater was one of many groups that collectively advocated for an equitable permit system that would reduce the time paddlers would have to wait to run the river.  Like paddlers across the globe, we are anxiously awaiting the NPS’s decision on how it intends to fix the

AW Regional Coordinator and Keelhaulers member David Hill is leading a movement to protect the Cuyahoga River and he needs your help.  The issue is that a power company is proposing to build a diversion and generator onto an old dam that is a hot target for removal.  If successful, the power company will dewater 700 feet of the Cuyahoga River (including Butterfly Rock Rapids), and end the ongoing efforts to remove the dam and restore upstream rapids and riverine habitat.  To make

The Cheoah River will flow once more this fall on Wednesday November 2nd. The release should be 1,000 CFS but expect river levels anywhere from 900 to 1,200 CFS. Since adequate parking facilities are not in place the USFS is asking all paddlers to use a shuttle service. The shuttle service will be run once again by NOC and will cost $10 which includes a $3 forest service fee. Additional parking fees may apply. The shuttle will not be leaving

Colorado enjoyed a great boating season this past year attracting paddlers from across the country who came out to enjoy many of the wonderful rivers the state has to offer. While we were all out on the water, however, leaders in the state legislature continued to work on the recreational water issue that we all remember as Senate Bill 62, a bill which our community pulled together to defeat last legislative session. Once again, there are now immediate steps paddlers