Articles

The USFS is making way to proceed with devastating logging in the steep and flashy Little Stony/Big Stony watersheds in Southern Virginia. In the Little Stony watershed, the plan calls for the logging of approximately 175 acres in the Joel Branch and 215 acres in the Daveyland Branch.   Several smaller private holdings have been logged creating sedimentation in the stream which once ran crystal clear even after several inches of rain. Now after just 1/2″ of rainfall, the creeks usually runs a muddy brown

The 2004 whitewater release dates will be June 27, July 24/25, August 28/29, September 25/26 and October 23/24.  These dates correspond to the 4th weekend of each month (not the last since some months have five weekends). The Cresta whitewater release scheduled for Saturday June 26th has been canceled to protect frog egg masses and tadpoles.  With the exception of June, all release weekends occur in the following order; Cresta on Saturday; Rock Creek on Sunday.   Release volumes start at

Friday July 30th After the Release Fun!!!3-4 pm Kids Family Fun RaceLast year’s premier of our family fun kid’s race was a success. Many entries resulted in a very special occasion, separate and meaningful to those who participated. So special that we are featuring the race this year on it’s own day. Friday July 30th. Between 3 – 4 pm we will be registering children with guardians at the parking lot across the street from Mountain Surf . A $15

A PUBLIC MEETING ON THE REMOVAL OF DILLSBORO DAM HOSTED BY AMERICAN RIVERS JUNE 24, THURSDAY 7-9pm at the Dillsboro Inn, in Dillsboro, NC The meeting will consist of a presentation by American Rivers staff on the ecological benefits and risks of dam removal followed by a group discussion.  American Whitewater supported the removal of Dillsboro Dam as part of the Nantahala and Tuckasegee relicensing settlement agreements and we continue to believe that the removal of the dam is the best thing for the

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) recently released the FINAL results of the 2+ year long Reservoir Operation Study (ROS).  Based on public demand and advocacy from American Whitewater and other groups, TVA began new scheduled recreational releases on June 1st of this year.   American Whitewater began working on the Reservoir Operations Study as a means of affecting positive change on the management of the Upper Ocoee. Based on our in depth involvement, TVA invited AW to represent river recreationists on a steering

On June 5th, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the Teva Mountain Games in Vail, Colorado the whitewater community took a moment to sit and celebrate the first 50 years of American Whitewater.  In all 250 whitewater folk put aside their river gear and put on a shirt and tie (or dress) to attend AW’s 50th Anniversary Gala Event.  The dinner was a celebration of American Whitewater’s role in the development of the whitewater community in America over the past

Little Sandy Creek is a popular intermediate run near Bruceton Mills, West Virginia. The normal access from a narrow shoulder at the Route 26 bridge is rather steep and exposed to fast-moving traffic. Many paddlers have found a welcome alternative: the back-yard of the Little Sandy Church of the Nazarine. The friendly folks in this small riverside church welcome paddlers any day except Sunday. Last year pastor Chad Harvey and his congregation decided to offer a picnic lunch to paddlers.

Restoring rivers through the FERC hydropower relicensing process demands significant time commitments to participate in the regulatory process.  Paddlers on the Spokane River in Washington have taken a team approach to cover all the meetings in the relicensing of Avista utility’s multiple hydropower dams scattered along approximately 50 miles of the river.  John Patrouch, John Karpenko, Paul Delaney, Robbi and  Vicki Castleberry have each dedicated considerable time to this collaborative process serving as representatives for the paddling community.  The Spokane

This week the City of Everett and Snohomish PUD announced that the Allen Gate, which controls access to Lake Chaplain Road will once again be opened on weekends from the hours of 6 am to 6 pm, starting this Memorial Day weekend. This gate has been closed on weekends since fall 2001 preventing the public from accessing designated recreation sites and important river access along the west side of the Sultan River, including areas used by kayakers, birders, bikers, fishermen,

Sirens in SalidaArkansas River, Salida CO1st Annual Fundraiser for American WhitewaterSaturday, June 19th, 2004 The watery women of Lotus Designs will be hostessing this gathering of the girls at  FIBark as a gift to the good folks at American Whitewater.  Any woman who is comfortable rolling and paddling in class 2-3 water, is encouraged to sign up for tips, tricks, and take-out party.  Registration is free to Members of American Whitewater! To join AW, click here! Donations to American Whitewater are greatly

All paddlers utilizing the Upper Blackwater River in West Virginia should make sure to register with the Blackwater Falls State Park before each trip into the gorge.  Currently boaters should register at the Lodge, however the Park has offered to place a self-registration facility at the typical put-in for the Upper B (at the Handicap overlook) in the near future.  Please take the few minutes it takes to register so that the Park has a record of river users and can

American Whitewater is very happy with the successful resolution of our 8 year effort to secure 54 annual releases on Tennessee’s Upper Ocoee River, home of the 1996 Olympics.  We would like to extend a warm thank you to all of you that helped FREE THE OCOEE!  While there are far too many people to thank (thousands participated!), we would like to send out a special message of appreciation to Congressman Zach Wamp, and the outfitters’ representatives Carlo Smith and Larry Mashburn. TVA has published the release schedule

American Whitewater is pleased to announce that Jackson Kayaks and AW will conduct the 2004 AW Membership Drive for Kids – a program for enthusiastic young paddlers.  Jackson Kayaks believes that it is critical that younger paddlers understand the importance of supporting American Whitewater with membership.  To support their commitment, Jackson Kayaks will award a new Jackson Kayak to the paddler who collects the most AW memberships during the contest period.  Additional prizes from IR, Lotus Designs, and AW will

Over the past few years, the Kayak and Canoe Club of New York’s Lauren Cook has been championing an effort to improve the recreational benefits of the Mongaup River in New York State.  Several days ago the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order granting the paddling community scheduled releases at two-turbine flows which many paddlers prefer to one-turbine flows.  Beginning this year, the Mongaup now will feature scheduled releases at both flows rather than only featuring one-turbine flows as

MESSAGE FROM CLIF BAR: As part of our continued support for our outdoor advocacy partners, Clif Bar would like to offer each of the members of American Whitewater a great discount toward the purchase of Clif Bars.  Beginning May 1 (and while supplies last), members can visit the Clif Bar Online Store and receive ONE FREE BOX of 12 Clif Bars when they purchase one box of 12 at the regular price.  This offer is intended for AW members only and

During the winter storm of January 2002, the Dosewallips River Road (FS 2610) suffered major damage at mile post 10. The Dosewallips River washed out approximately 100 yards of adjacent road and part of the hillside behind it. This has impacted public access to the Forest Service Elkhorn Campground which is the take-out for the Elkhorn Canyon run (class V+) and the put-in for the Upper Dosewallips run (Class IV+). It has also impacted access to this eastern entrance to

American Whitewater will be making a stop in Leavenworth as part of the 50th Anniversary Membership Appreciation Tour. We will join Osprey Rafting, Leavenworth Mountain Sports, and Team Wave Sport to celebrate the rich whitewater resources of the eastern Cascades at the Wenatchee River Festival on May 21st and 22nd. Friday May 21st Raft Rodeo 4:30-7:30 pm NRS R2 Rodeo Competition sponsored by Osprey Rafting. Please call Osprey Rafting to pre-register, and for information including the site of the competition

30th Anniversary Celebration for Chattooga Wild & Scenic River Monday May 10, 2004 marks the 30th anniversary of the Chattooga River’s Wild and Scenic River protection. The Chattooga was among the first rivers designated by congress for protection as a National Wild and Scenic River. Today the river flourishes as a result of this landmark protection and provides outstanding recreational opportunities for both area residents and others who travel to enjoy this wonderful wilderness resource.Come celebrate this landmark anniversary on Saturday

Congratulations AW Volunteer of the Month for March: CARRIE KELLER Long-time whitewater enthusiast Carrie Keller stepped up to the plate in a big way this past October.  She enthusiastically agreed to help AW host the Paddler’s Art Gallery at AW’s 50th Anniversary Gala in Vail, Co on June 5th.  Over the past six months, she has spent countless hours researching and inviting esteemed river artists to join AW in Vail and to donate a piece of their artwork to be auctioned