Articles

The Upper North Fork Feather River contains two distinct whitewater runs: The eleven -mile Class IV-V Seneca run and the nine-mile Class III Belden run.  PG&E’s Upper North Fork Feather Hydropower Project, FERC No. 2105, dewaters each of these runs.  In 2000, American Whitewater Conservation Director John Gangemi began work on this lengthy relicense process.  In the fall of 2000 American Whitewater carried out a Whitewater Controlled Flow Study on both the Seneca and Belden runs.  Thirty-five participants consisting of

  Earlier this fall a landmark decision was announced to remove two dams and bypass a third on Maine’s Penobscot River. The agreement that calls for the removal of the dams was made between PPL Corporation, conservation groups, the Penobscot Indian Nation, the State of Maine, and the U.S. Department of Interior. The removal of the dams and the associated river restoration measures will restore access to hundreds of miles of habitat for atlantic salmon, shad, sturgeon, and other species

The start of the 2003-2004 paddling season in the Pacific Northwest has seen a change in access to a 3 mile section of the Washougal river located in Southwest Washington known as the Church Run. For a number of years local paddlers have utilized the footpath and parking lot of the Salmon Falls Church and Retreat. Due to a change in management, an impending sale, and the behavior of undisciplined visitors, this access is now closed. Other access points are

On November 24, 2003, a reporter for Vermont’s Rutland Herald, Peter Crabtree, reported (http://www.rutlandherald.com/News/Story/75064.html) that “Boating groups are protesting a decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restrict whitewater releases on the West River. The Army Corps cut the fall release at the Ball Mountain Dam from two days to one in September, affecting hundreds of paddlers who turn out for the annual event. The Army Corps also intends to cut back flow levels for the spring release

Ground was broken for a $2 million federal project to improve the road across the top of Francis E. Walter Dam on the Lehigh River in Carbon County, PA, on Friday, November 14, 2003. An existing paved access road runs along the base of dam’s upstream face and is submerged when water-storage levels rise substantially. When that road is submerged, it prompts large water releases that some officials said can adversely affect the river. U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Luzerne, and

American Whitewater has learned that the term ‘Streamkeeper’ is a registered trademark of the Adopt-a-Stream Foundation. To avoid confusion we are going to stop using the term, and we’re asking for your help to think of a new name for our project.Whoever comes up with the winning name will win an IR/AW Thin Skin, AW Visor, and your choice of IR/AW Board Shorts.Please post your ideas to our Forum.When thinking of a new name, consider the ways in which we

Oregon’s Division of State Lands notified American Whitewater that they are initiating a formal navigability study on the John Day River from Tumwater Falls (approximately River Mile 10) to Kimberly (approximately River Mile 184).The process used to determine ownership of the beds and banks of Oregon’s waterwater is governed by ORS 274.400 to 247.412 (enacted in 1995) and administrative rules OAR 141-121-0000 through 141-121-0040.The study was requested by <b>John Day River Chapter of the Northwest Steelheaders</b> in 1997 and was endorsed

AW’s 50th Anniversary Gala EventTeva will host American Whitewater’s 50th Anniversary Gala at the Teva Mountain Games on June 5th.  The event will celebrate the past 50 years of American whitewater paddling while raising funds for AW to continue protecting and restoring the nation’s whitewater rivers.  To ensure that the soul of whitewater remains intact at the Gala, formal wear will be recommended and sandals will be required.  We hope that the entire boating community joins us in Vail, Colorado at the

Fortunately for us paddlers some individuals step up to the advocacy plate and start challenging the threats to our rivers.  Kris Schmidt stepped into this role in California with advocacy work on the Kern River and Piru Creek.  Both of these rivers are dewatered by hydropower projects.  Kris has taken a lead role in the relicense proceedings filing comments and attending meetings.  In July and again in September Kris was the point person organizing boaters, communicating with utilities and consultants for Controlled Flow Whitewater

The USGS Cipus River gauge has recently been providing inaccurate readings. The problem stems from the fact that the channel recently shifted so that the gauge is no longer in an ideal location to provide accurate data particularly at low flows. Previously this gauge was located below the confluence of Yellowjacket Creek, but after the gauge was damaged during floods in early 1996, the gauge was moved 1.75 miles upstream to a site near the FR 28 Bridge. This site

For those interested in the future of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road and the paving project, there will be a Scoping Meeting Open House that will take place on Wednesday Nov 19, 2003 from 4-8 pm at the Mt. Si Senior Center, 411 Main Avenue S., North Bend, WA (map).Public Notice:This is the continuation of a series of public meetings being held to gain input for the improvement of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road. A team has been assembled

American Whitewater has teamed up with EarthBeat Records to offer our supporters a wonderful gift.  Until December 31st, 2003, if you join AW as an Ender Club Member ($100), we’re offering you a FREE 20th Anniversary CD from the most revered reggae festival in the world ‘Reggae on The River.’  The CD is a compilation of songs gathered from 20 years of performances.  Hear music from the CD  In addition to the CD we will also include the 2003 Ender

‘Grand Visions’An Evening with American Whitewater and Slide Show of the Grand CanyonTuesday, November 18, 2003Great Pacific Iron Works235 W. Santa Clara StreeetVentura, CAJoin Risa Shimoda, American Whitewater Executive Director, for an update on the Grand Canyon Management Planning process – likely to impact the current 25+ year wait you face when applying for a non-commercial trip permit. The talk will be accompanied by a slide show of 300 images from the canyon, taken recently by outdoor photographer David Branson.This event