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The 2004 Annual Report is out and it brings both a positive and less than positive message to American Whitewater.  Our work on the ground continues to be successful.  From the Cispus in Washington State to the Gauley in West Virginia, from the North Fork Feather in California to the Cheoah in North Carolina…we are currently at some point of negotiationing for access, conservation and stewardship of over 70 projects.  This is with five full-time and two part-time staff.  We are a lean,

Earlier this month Oregon’s The 73rd Legislative Assembly adjourned and with it bills that would have limited the public’s right to use Oregon’s waterways for river travel and recreation died. Senate Bill 1028 proposed the institution of a new fee program that would have charged the public for implementation of a complicated new set of regulations severely reducing the opportunities for the public to enjoy Oregon’s rivers. This threat would have had a significant impact on recreational opportunities for state

Earlier this month Oregon’s The 73rd Legislative Assembly adjourned and with it bills that would have limited the public’s right to use Oregon’s waterways for river travel and recreation died. Senate Bill 1028 proposed the institution of a new fee program that would have charged the public for implementation of a complicated new set of regulations severely reducing the opportunities for the public to enjoy Oregon’s rivers. This threat would have had a significant impact on recreational opportunities for state

As part of ongoing programs offered by American Whitewater’s River Stewardship Institute, our members working on hydropower relicensing in the West will have an opportunity to receive formal training in negotiation skills. Funding from the Hewlett Foundation through a grant to the Western Caucus of the Hydropower Reform Coalition has allowed us to provide this unique opportunity. The program will be led by Steve Smutko of the Natural Resources Leadership Institute and our goals will be to develop knowledge and

The US Forest service recently announced their access plan for the fall Cheoah River releases, and possibly the 2006 releases as well.  The plan, described in detail in their press release (below), requires all paddlers to pay a $16 fee and ride a shuttle from Robbinsville.  Until new access areas are built next year, a shuttle is the only option for river access since parking is very limited throughout the Cheoah River Gorge.  Ten dollars of the fee will pay for the actual shuttle

The US Forest service recently announced their access plan for the fall Cheoah River releases, and possibly the 2006 releases as well.  The plan, described in detail in their press release (below), requires all paddlers to pay a $16 fee and ride a shuttle from Robbinsville.  Until new access areas are built next year, a shuttle is the only option for river access since parking is very limited throughout the Cheoah River Gorge.  Ten dollars of the fee will pay for the actual shuttle

Our fourth season of Feather River Releases is underway. As in the past, release weekends will include a Saturday release on Cresta and a Sunday release on Rock Creek (Rogers Flat and Tobin). It is amazing that four years have passed since we gained this amazing whitewater resource that has changed summer boating in California. There are some changes, this season, that the boating public needs to be aware of: The release dates are : June 26th (Sunday only Rock

Dear fellow American Whitewater affiliate club member,I am an AW member and a member of the Pikes Peak Whitewater Club, an AW affiliate club. I’m writing to tell you about some work we did this summer to increase AW membership within PPWC, and to ask for your help to take similar actions in your affiliate club. ( If you are not the most appropriate club member for this information, please forward this to the correct person in your club).First let’s

American Whitewater has been told that the current Gauley Access solution for private paddlers is only temporary, until the Park Service obtains mid point access land. We believe strongly that the Old Woods Ferry Road will be important until a long-term access solution is found. It does not change the fact that the outfitters want a lot more for their property than the Park Service is currently prepared to offer. While we are working with others to pursue a number

American Whitewater has been told that the current Gauley Access solution for private paddlers is only temporary, until the Park Service obtains mid point access land. We believe strongly that the Old Woods Ferry Road will be important until a long-term access solution is found. It does not change the fact that the outfitters want a lot more for their property than the Park Service is currently prepared to offer. While we are working with others to pursue a number

Work on the repair and upgrade of the Cheat River Access at Jenkinsburg begins today. The contractor, Allenwood Construction of Clarksburg, WV, is a subsidiary of J.F. Allen, one of the largest highway contractors in the state. They expect the construction to be completed in two weeks if favorable weather conditions continue. This site, which has suffered through decades of overuse and malicious behavior, was recently purchased by Mountain Streams and Trails outfitters of Morgantown, WV. The site is important

The Land Resources Corporation has brought their proposed massive development back to Fayette County officials for approval – with significant modifications.  The LRC’s previous proposal to build 2200 homes on and near the rim of the New River Gorge drew intense opposition from paddlers and many other river enthusiasts from across the country.  Now, the LRC has modified their proposal to meet some of the public concerns raised.  The new proposal for the development promises to not develop the lands within

The Land Resources Corporation has brought their proposed massive development back to Fayette County officials for approval – with significant modifications.  The LRC’s previous proposal to build 2200 homes on and near the rim of the New River Gorge drew intense opposition from paddlers and many other river enthusiasts from across the country.  Now, the LRC has modified their proposal to meet some of the public concerns raised.  The new proposal for the development promises to not develop the lands within

GAULEY RIVER ACCESS REOPENED FOR FALL WHITEWATER SEASON FAYETTEVILLE, WV: The West Virginia Rivers Coalition and the national conservation organization, American Whitewater, have been notified by the owners of some of the most popular river access sites in the Gauley River National Recreation Area that those areas will again be available for use by private kayakers and canoeists during the upcoming fall whitewater season. This accommodation by the property owners will avert what could have been a chaotic situation for

The Bureau of Reclamation is accepting public comments on the reoperation of the nation’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Powell and Lake Mead.  Lake Powell in particular has long been the focus of fierce opposition from environmental groups and paddlers alike.  The dam covers a vast reach of the colorado river and its slot canyon tribs with Lake Powell, and has significant impacts on the Grand Canyon such as elimination of peak flows, significant cooling of the water, and reduction of natural

GAULEY RIVER ACCESS REOPENED FOR FALL WHITEWATER SEASON FAYETTEVILLE, WV: The West Virginia Rivers Coalition and the national conservation organization, American Whitewater, have been notified by the owners of some of the most popular river access sites in the Gauley River National Recreation Area that those areas will again be available for use by private kayakers and canoeists during the upcoming fall whitewater season. This accommodation by the property owners will avert what could have been a chaotic situation for

The Bureau of Reclamation is accepting public comments on the reoperation of the nation’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Powell and Lake Mead.  Lake Powell in particular has long been the focus of fierce opposition from environmental groups and paddlers alike.  The dam covers a vast reach of the colorado river and its slot canyon tribs with Lake Powell, and has significant impacts on the Grand Canyon such as elimination of peak flows, significant cooling of the water, and reduction of natural

The Lock 32 Whitewater Course is having a festival on Saturday, August 13.  There is a $15 entrance fee, which includes access to the course, free instruction and entrance in the events.  The course opens at 10 am.The Genesee Waterways Center runs the park and teaches kayaking, canoeing, rowing, sculling, etc.  We also provide an opportunity for inner city kids and the disabled to get on the water.  This park is an artificial course off of the Erie Canal.  Since

The Lock 32 Whitewater Course hosts a festival on Saturday, August 13.  There is a $15 entrance fee, which includes access to the course, free instruction and entrance in the events.  The course opens at 10 am.The Genesee Waterways Center runs the park and teaches kayaking, canoeing, rowing, sculling, etc.  The park also provides an opportunity for inner city kids and the disabled to get on the water.  The park is an artificial course off of the Erie Canal.  It

The Lock 32 Whitewater Course hosts a festival on Saturday, August 13.  There is a $15 entrance fee, which includes access to the course, free instruction and entrance in the events.  The course opens at 10 am.The Genesee Waterways Center runs the park and teaches kayaking, canoeing, rowing, sculling, etc.  The park also provides an opportunity for inner city kids and the disabled to get on the water.  The park is an artificial course off of the Erie Canal.  It

SEVENTH ANNUAL AMERICAN WHITEWATER OHIOPYLE OVER THE FALLS FESTIVALOhiopyle, Pa. – American Whitewater, the Pennsylvania Organization For Watersheds & Rivers, and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources announces that the seventh Annual American Whitewater Ohiopyle Over The Falls Festival will be held August 27-28, 2005. Whitewater paddlers nationwide will gather there to race over the spectacular eighteen-foot waterfall in the picturesque mountain village of Ohiopyle. Spectators are invited to watch paddlers sprint and cartwheel, end-over-end, off the waterfall.

Over the past several months Representative Brian Baird and Senator Maria Cantwell worked hard to successfully move the Upper White Salmon Wild and Scenic Rivers Act through Congress. Their legislation, which adds 20 miles of river to the Wild and Scenic River system within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, was signed into law yesterday by the President. In 1997 the Forest Service released the “Upper White Salmon River Wild and Scenic River Study Report and Final Legislative Environmental Impact Statement”.

The time has finally come to enjoy the Cheoah River!American Whitewater is proud to announce the dates of the 2005 and 2006 Cheoah River Release Schedule.  The specific 2006 dates are still somewhat tentative, and will be confirmed at a meeting in October.  The release dates are as follows, and the releases last all day, roughly 9-5:Date of ReleaseDay 1 FlowDay 2 FlowSeptember 17, 20051000NoneOctober 1, 20051000NoneNovember 2, 20051000None February 8 & 9, 2006 1000600March 21, 22, 2006 1000600April 1 & 2, 2006 1000850April