Articles

AW Volunteer Jason Hartz just reported that there are three bills currently pending in the senate regarding river access, senate bill 423, senate bill 1014, and senate bill 1028.  If you would like to get the text of these bills, and find out where they are now in the legislative process go to: http://www.leg.state.or.us/searchmeas.html, and enter both the bill’s number, and that it is a senate bill. That page will give you the bill’s text, and what committee its in,

The National River Cleanup Week this year is May 14-22nd, and we encourage all paddlers to participate in this great program.  Just check out the website (www.nationalrivercleanup.com) and get in touch with the good folks organizing the event.  They will get you all the stuff you need to organize your own river clean up or to participate in one that has already been organized. This year AW doing something a little different  American Whitewater knows that paddlers rarely litter, and are a major part

The National River Cleanup Week this year is May 14-22nd, and we encourage all paddlers to participate in this great program.  Just check out the website (www.nationalrivercleanup.com) and get in touch with the good folks organizing the event.  They will get you all the stuff you need to organize your own river clean up or to participate in one that has already been organized. This year AW doing something a little different  American Whitewater knows that paddlers rarely litter, and are a major part

The House Resources Committee will consider the Domestic Energy Security Act on Wednesday, April 13.  This bill includes a provision which establishes a loophole under which agencies would be precluded from considering a range of environmental action alternatives under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for so-called “ renewable energy sources,” including hydropower dams.  This provision has been approved by the House before, but was not passed by the Senate.  Check below to see if your Representative serves on this

Alert!  Due to maintenance on the diversion pipe on Idaho’s Bear River, all flow in the Bear River will be flowing through the normally dewatered Black Canyon, between April 12th and April 22nd.  The Black Canyon has not run in 6 years, so this presents a unique opportunity for paddlers to get out on this great 6.2 mile long class IV/V stretch of river.   Gage:  The gauge listed as ‘Below Grace Dam’ is the gage to watch, and is located

The second season of scheduled Hoosic River Whitewater Releases into the Schaghticoke Gorge will begin on Saturday, April 16th, 2005 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.  American Whitewater and Adirondack Mountain Club negotiated these releases in the relicensing process for this hydropower project with Reliant Energy.  The Hoosic truly has something for everyone.  It has an impressive Class V upper section and a fun Class III lower section.  Do one or both!  Schaghticoke Gorge is in Schaghticoke, New York, about fifteen miles north of Troy. 

The House Resources Committee will consider the Domestic Energy Security Act on Wednesday, April 13.  This bill includes a provision which establishes a loophole under which agencies would be precluded from considering a range of environmental action alternatives under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for so-called “ renewable energy sources,” including hydropower dams.  This provision has been approved by the House before, but was not passed by the Senate.  Check below to see if your Representative serves on this

Alert!  Due to maintenance on the diversion pipe on Idaho’s Bear River, all flow in the Bear River will be flowing through the normally dewatered Black Canyon, between April 12th and April 22nd.  The Black Canyon has not run in 6 years, so this presents a unique opportunity for paddlers to get out on this great 6.2 mile long class IV/V stretch of river.   Gage:  The gauge listed as ‘Below Grace Dam’ is the gage to watch, and is located

The second season of scheduled Hoosic River Whitewater Releases into the Schaghticoke Gorge will begin on Saturday, April 16th, 2005 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.  American Whitewater and Adirondack Mountain Club negotiated these releases in the relicensing process for this hydropower project with Reliant Energy.  The Hoosic truly has something for everyone.  It has an impressive Class V upper section and a fun Class III lower section.  Do one or both!  Schaghticoke Gorge is in Schaghticoke, New York, about fifteen miles north of Troy. 

Clif Bar and AW team up to promote river stewardship and safety efforts in paddling clubs.American Whitewater and Clif Bar are pleased to announce the 3rd annual Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign, pledging $2,500 to American Whitewater Affiliate Clubs for river stewardship work. Funding for this very effective program is provided by Clif Bar.Clubs have the opportunity to apply for one of five (5) $500 grants. Grants will be distributed to clubs for projects that promote river stewardship, conservation, access

In 2003 Kayak Session magazine began offering a $25 subscription rate to all American Whitewater members.  In 2005 they have outdone themselves.  For any AW member that subscribes to Kayak Session, they will make a $5 donation to American Whitewater.  In addition as AW’s media partner, Kayak Session continues to support AW by including an AW update in each issue.  This creates a great arena for American Whitewater to voice its mission to both a national and international community.    The use of stunning photographs

Only one more week to get your AW discount from LVM!  Take advantage of the savings while you can. Yet, another great reason to be a member of AW from the folks at Lunch Video Magazine.  LVM comes through with a big time discount for AW members.  From February 15th to April 15th only, AW members only can buy a year’s subscription to LVM for $39.99 compared to the regular price of $55.  That is more than 25% off of the sticker

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

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