Articles

American Whitewater presented a river conservation and access proposal to a group of dam relicensing stakeholders on Thursday, March 31st.  Our proposal is based countless exploratory hikes and paddles by Volunteer Regional Coordinator Andrew Lazenby, as well as various studies including the 2004 Whitewater Controlled Flow Study.  Andrew and Kevin Colburn presented the proposal and answered many questions and comments from the group.     The following are the basic elements of our proposal:• •Island Protection •Riparian Protection and Restoration. •New Trails and Access •Tree

The USGS is reporting at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/md/nwis/uv?01646500 plans to cut the Little Falls gauge on the Potomac due to lack of partner funding. The USGS states:NOTICE (03/31/05) –“As of June 30, 2005, data collection at this streamgage will be discontinued due to funding reductions from local agencies. Although historic data will remain accessible, no new data will be collected unless one or more new funding partners are found. Users who can contribute funding for the non-Federal share of costs to continue operation

Matt Muir (a.k.a. RivieraRatt), has contributed countless hours to American Whitewater’s river database, and is responsible for much of the success of AW’s website, www.americanwhitewater.org. The river database is a nationwide river inventory and gauging system covering 4,500 river descriptions and 9,000 gauges. It is a community effort with over 300 individuals across the country maintaining descriptions of rivers local to them. This high level of volunteer engagement has developed the leading on-line paddling resource available, combining up-to-date river descriptions

Matt Muir (a.k.a. RivieraRatt), has contributed countless hours to American Whitewater’s river database, and is responsible for much of the success of AW’s website, www.americanwhitewater.org. The river database is a nationwide river inventory and gauging system covering 4,500 river descriptions and 9,000 gauges. It is a community effort with over 300 individuals across the country maintaining descriptions of rivers local to them. This high level of volunteer engagement has developed the leading on-line paddling resource available, combining up-to-date river descriptions

After more than nine years of service to AW, John Gangemi has taken another position with a consulting firm specializing in environmental planning. His many contributions to AW are too numerous to list here; most significantly he was responsible for the science-based methods that have been key to many of AW’s success stories. John will be missed, but he is not getting away easily, he will be available for limited AW projects as a consultant. For his many contributions to

After more than nine years of service to AW, John Gangemi has taken another position with a consulting firm specializing in environmental planning. His many contributions to AW are too numerous to list here; most significantly he was responsible for the science-based methods that have been key to many of AW’s success stories. John will be missed, but he is not getting away easily, he will be available for limited AW projects as a consultant. For his many contributions to

Mountain Streams and Trails, the oldest outfitter in West Virginia’s Cheat Canyon, recently purchased the takeout for both the Cheat and Big Sandy Rivers. This key piece of property, located just below the High Bridge at Jenkinsburg, has been used continuously by canoeists, kayakers, and rafters since the mid-1950’s. Increased use by ATV riders and college party groups during the last two decades has caused considerable damage to the land. Jenkinsburg is now known for terrible erosion and industrial strength litter.After more than five decades in the

Mountain Streams and Trails, the oldest outfitter in West Virginia’s Cheat Canyon, recently purchased the takeout for both the Cheat and Big Sandy Rivers. This key piece of property, located just below the High Bridge at Jenkinsburg, has been used continuously by canoeists, kayakers, and rafters since the mid-1950’s. Increased use by ATV riders and college party groups during the last two decades has caused considerable damage to the land. Jenkinsburg is now known for terrible erosion and industrial strength litter.After more than five decades in the

It’s that time of year already, time for Tallulah season on April 2-3 and April 9-10. However, this year, there are a few changes that the Tallulah Gorge State Park wants to pass along. First, please don’t bring your dogs. Dogs at Tallulah have become a major problem for the event and the park. We are close to banning them completely. This spring, if your dog is off a leash at any point, tied off to your car, locked in

It’s that time of year already, time for Tallulah season on April 2-3 and April 9-10. However, this year, there are a few changes that the Tallulah Gorge State Park wants to pass along. First, please don’t bring your dogs. Dogs at Tallulah have become a major problem for the event and the park. We are close to banning them completely. This spring, if your dog is off a leash at any point, tied off to your car, locked in

Craig Plocica joins American Whitewater as the Director of Development.  Most recently he worked with the Nantahala Outdoor Center as Director of Marketing and Sales.  Craig first started with NOC 10 years ago and brings a strong belief in the importance of river conservation and access to our group from his time there.  Craig also spent a year working in Asheville, NC with the Colburn Earth Science Museum as their Director of Marketing.  At the museum he was an instrumental

Craig Plocica joins American Whitewater as the Director of Development.  Most recently he worked with the Nantahala Outdoor Center as Director of Marketing and Sales.  Craig first started with NOC 10 years ago and brings a strong belief in the importance of river conservation and access to our group from his time there.  Craig also spent a year working in Asheville, NC with the Colburn Earth Science Museum as their Director of Marketing.  At the museum he was an instrumental

The Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts (APEs) invite everyone to come out to the banks of the beautiful Nolichucky River on May 21st, 2005, to celebrate a festival in memory of good friend and fellow paddler John Heffernan.  John, an avid and accomplished kayaker who loved to help others learn about the sport, lost his life on the Russell Fork River this past October.  The festival will be held at Big Rock Campground near Erwin, TN and will run from noon until

The Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts (APEs) invite everyone to come out to the banks of the beautiful Nolichucky River on May 21st, 2005, to celebrate a festival in memory of good friend and fellow paddler John Heffernan.  John, an avid and accomplished kayaker who loved to help others learn about the sport, lost his life on the Russell Fork River this past October.  The festival will be held at Big Rock Campground near Erwin, TN and will run from noon until

American Whitewater is recruiting 15 volunteers to assist with the first stage of preparing the West Fork of the Tuckasegee for the recreational releases slated to begin in the spring of next year.  Before recreational releases can begin, a significant hurricane induced log jam must be cleared from the creek, and a trail must be constructed from near Thorpe Dam to the base of High Falls.               We will need volunteers to help out with both of these efforts, which

In 2003 and 2004, American Whitewater’s Jason Robertson helped advise the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program on the development of a new instructional manual called “Logical Lasting Launches”. The guide is free and is now available to the public at http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/helpfultools/ht_launch_guide.html in pdf format.As noted on the Park Service webpage, “This guide provides design guidance for developing canoe and kayak launches. Case examples, designs, and photos of launch sites are included.”General recommendations in the manual for designing an accessible launch

In 2003 and 2004, American Whitewater’s Jason Robertson helped advise the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program on the development of a new instructional manual called “Logical Lasting Launches”. The guide is free and is now available to the public at http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/helpfultools/ht_launch_guide.html in pdf format.As noted on the Park Service webpage, “This guide provides design guidance for developing canoe and kayak launches. Case examples, designs, and photos of launch sites are included.”General recommendations in the manual for designing an accessible launch

In response to a proposal to modify the Route 3 Wave on the Black River (NY) that surfaced several years ago, American Whitewater advocated (through meetings, letters, and emails) that the City of Watertown hire an independent consultant to take a broader look at the potential whitewater park locations in their city, and to gather public input on any proposed actions.  The City has done just that.  They hired Recreational Engineering and Planning (REP) to study the entire length of the

In response to a proposal to modify the Route 3 Wave on the Black River (NY) that surfaced several years ago, American Whitewater advocated (through meetings, letters, and emails) that the City of Watertown hire an independent consultant to take a broader look at the potential whitewater park locations in their city, and to gather public input on any proposed actions.  The City has done just that.  They hired Recreational Engineering and Planning (REP) to study the entire length of the

Colorado’s Senate Bill  SB 62 passed another hurdle this week and moves to the Senate Floor with all Republicans and 2 Democrats (Isgar and Takis) supporting the bill. Now SB 62 heads to the House where it will be heard in Committee.SB62 allows only the minimum flow for kayaking, canoeing, inner tubing, boating and rafting, all other water can be diverted and even the minimum flow standard is weak as it requires, in all cases, that water flows exceeding 350