Articles

National River Cleanup Week Offers a Chance to Give Back to Rivers When you stop to think of all the things rivers give us—from drinking water to wildlife habitat to stunning scenery to unforgettable paddling adventures—it’s surprising how often we take them for granted and how often their gifts are repaid with neglect or outright abuse. The National River Cleanup Week, May 14-22, offers us all a chance to show our appreciation and concern for our favorite rivers. Click here for

National River Cleanup Week Offers a Chance to Give Back to Rivers When you stop to think of all the things rivers give us—from drinking water to wildlife habitat to stunning scenery to unforgettable paddling adventures—it’s surprising how often we take them for granted and how often their gifts are repaid with neglect or outright abuse. The National River Cleanup Week, May 14-22, offers us all a chance to show our appreciation and concern for our favorite rivers. Click here for

American Whitewater volunteers got The Sang Run Access on the Upper Yough ready for the first Saturday release last weekend. First Charlie and Sandy Walbridge drove out from Bruceton Mills to mow the grass and pick up litter. Then John Regan brought his tractor up from Friendsville to spread a truckload of gravel. He’s almost as good in that machine as he is in his kayak! We also repaired and replaced the AW access sign that some idiot ran over

American Whitewater volunteers got The Sang Run Access on the Upper Yough ready for the first Saturday release last weekend. First Charlie and Sandy Walbridge drove out from Bruceton Mills to mow the grass and pick up litter. Then John Regan brought his tractor up from Friendsville to spread a truckload of gravel. He’s almost as good in that machine as he is in his kayak! We also repaired and replaced the AW access sign that some idiot ran over

On October 8, 2004, the National Park Service (NPS) released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement Colorado River Management Plan (DEIS) for public review and comment.The DEIS was designed to provide a comprehensive look at the impacts to natural and cultural resources from current visitor uses on the Colorado River, and to evaluate various alternatives that can help the NPS achieve its mission to preserve park resources while enhancing recreational opportunities in the river corridor.Public meetings to provide an overview of

On October 8, 2004, the National Park Service (NPS) released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement Colorado River Management Plan (DEIS) for public review and comment.The DEIS was designed to provide a comprehensive look at the impacts to natural and cultural resources from current visitor uses on the Colorado River, and to evaluate various alternatives that can help the NPS achieve its mission to preserve park resources while enhancing recreational opportunities in the river corridor.Public meetings to provide an overview of

Josh Egenolf is a self described “simple farmboy from Southern Indiana.”  While that is undeniably the case, Josh has transcended his prairie roots to become an effective advocate for rivers from his homeland to the mountains of Western North Carolina.Josh first contacted American Whitewater in 2001 as an undergraduate student, regarding the closure of one of the few whitewater creeks in Indiana – McCormicks Creek.  Josh became the streamkeeper and initiated talks with the state park controlling McCormicks.  Josh then applied for a 2002 internship in the

Josh Egenolf is a self described “simple farmboy from Southern Indiana.”  While that is undeniably the case, Josh has transcended his prairie roots to become an effective advocate for rivers from his homeland to the mountains of Western North Carolina.Josh first contacted American Whitewater in 2001 as an undergraduate student, regarding the closure of one of the few whitewater creeks in Indiana – McCormicks Creek.  Josh became the streamkeeper and initiated talks with the state park controlling McCormicks.  Josh then applied for a 2002 internship in the

The 8th Annual French Broad River Festival, a benefit for American Whitewater and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of WNC, will take place on May 6-8, 2005 in beautiful Hot Springs, North Carolina, just 45 minutes north of Asheville, at the Hot Springs Campground and Spa.   Come spend Mother’s Day weekend with family and friends listening to the sounds of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Big City Sunrise, Backyard Tire Fire, Menage, and many other regional favorites.  Or you can go shopping

The 8th Annual French Broad River Festival, a benefit for American Whitewater and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of WNC, will take place on May 6-8, 2005 in beautiful Hot Springs, North Carolina, just 45 minutes north of Asheville, at the Hot Springs Campground and Spa.   Come spend Mother’s Day weekend with family and friends listening to the sounds of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Big City Sunrise, Backyard Tire Fire, Menage, and many other regional favorites.  Or you can go shopping

American Whitewater and Friends of Cheat are working together to maintain river access to the Cheat and Big Sandy Rivers at Jenkinsburg. This area was recently purchased by Mountain Streams and Trails, a raft outfitter. Heavy use by ATV riders and college party groups has caused considerable damage here. The outfitter wants to maintain public access but needs our support. In exchange, we get a long-term access easement. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has agreed to help out,

American Whitewater and Little River Roasting Company have teamed up to offer paddlers a great way to start your day.  However, we don’t know what to call it.  Please read about the blend and submit what you would name this flavor to the American Whitewater forum.  Deadline for submission is end of day, Friday, May 6th. The AW blend is a combination of our Organic Cameroon Boyo and our Organic Costa Rican La Amistad coffees.  We plan to have this ready

American Whitewater and Friends of Cheat are working together to maintain river access to the Cheat and Big Sandy Rivers at Jenkinsburg. This area was recently purchased by Mountain Streams and Trails, a raft outfitter. Heavy use by ATV riders and college party groups has caused considerable damage here. The outfitter wants to maintain public access but needs our support. In exchange, we get a long-term access easement. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has agreed to help out,

American Whitewater and Little River Roasting Company have teamed up to offer paddlers a great way to start your day.  However, we don’t know what to call it.  Please read about the blend and submit what you would name this flavor to the American Whitewater forum.  Deadline for submission is end of day, Friday, May 6th. The AW blend is a combination of our Organic Cameroon Boyo and our Organic Costa Rican La Amistad coffees.  We plan to have this ready

Snohomish PUD announces first stakeholder meeting. The relicensing for the Jackson Project on the Sultan River is officially underway with project tours and meetings scheduled for this spring. Detailed information on each opportunity can be found on the relicensing website and are summarized below. AW will be represented at these events. Andy Bridge, Rich Bowers, and Thomas O’Keefe have represented AW on this project. If you can’t attend the upcoming meetings but have concerns that you would like to see

Snohomish PUD announces first stakeholder meeting. The relicensing for the Jackson Project on the Sultan River is officially underway with project tours and meetings scheduled for this spring. Detailed information on each opportunity can be found on the relicensing website and are summarized below. AW will be represented at these events. Andy Bridge, Rich Bowers, and Thomas O’Keefe have represented AW on this project. If you can’t attend the upcoming meetings but have concerns that you would like to see

“After careful consideration of the record…I am reversing the Regional Forester’s decision to continue to exclude boating on the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River above Highway 28”     -USFS Chief Dale BosworthThe Upper 21 miles of the Chattooga River will soon be legal to paddle for the first time in nearly 30 years!On Thursday, April 28th, 2005, the Chief of the US Forest Service decided that there was no justification whatsoever for the ban on paddling the upper 21 miles of

“After careful consideration of the record…I am reversing the Regional Forester’s decision to continue to exclude boating on the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River above Highway 28”     -USFS Chief Dale BosworthThe Upper 21 miles of the Chattooga River will soon be legal to paddle for the first time in nearly 30 years!On Thursday, April 28th, 2005, the Chief of the US Forest Service decided that there was no justification whatsoever for the ban on paddling the upper 21 miles of

Overview Recently, three bills have been introduced in the Oregon legislature that would affect the public right to use the waterways in the State of Oregon for recreational purposes. These include the following: SB 423, Introduced at the request of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders SB 1014 (see amendments), Introduced at the request of Coalition for Oregon River Rights SB 1028, Introduced at the request of Senators Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day) and Kate Brown (D-Portland). Some observations regarding these bills

Overview Recently, three bills have been introduced in the Oregon legislature that would affect the public right to use the waterways in the State of Oregon for recreational purposes. These include the following: SB 423, Introduced at the request of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders SB 1014 (see amendments), Introduced at the request of Coalition for Oregon River Rights SB 1028, Introduced at the request of Senators Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day) and Kate Brown (D-Portland). Some observations regarding these bills

Study Challenges State and Federal Agencies on West River Economic Impact A study that challenges the operation of the West River by the Corps of Engineers and state agencies will be the subject of a public meeting at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 22, at the Town Hall in Jamaica, Vermont. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in cooperation with state and federal agencies releases water from the Ball Mountain Dam in Jamaica for whitewater recreation.  They originally scheduled

With spring comes rising water and the call of the river for paddlers and many other river users.  In many regions trout fishing is just opening for the season, and hikers and horsepackers are starting to get out in the woods.  We thought we would take this opportunity to offer some advice to paddlers on how to best share rivers and trails with other recreationists.  We talked with anglers, river managers, and horsepackers to develop these recommendations and we hope they help all users

Reno River FestivalMay 12-15, 2005Reno, NV The Truckee River offers visitors a dynamic experience of kayaking and fun on the river not to mention all the other adventure attractions including 24-hour gaming excitement, golf, skiing, trails, lakes and art.   The festival features kayaking competition in freestyle, boater cross and down river racing. There are also clinics offered for all levels of instruction and for children.  With over 20,000 attending the event our exhibitors are ensured to have a great opportunity to