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This weekend, July 6 & 7, marks the second recreational flow release on the North Fork Feather River. If you were able to attend the June release, the schedule is basically the same, except with a lower flow…. 1,200 cfs as opposed to the June release of 1,600cfs. The rapids will be less powerful, but rockier. The June release went well thanks to the positive attitude of all the boaters and we expect the attendance to only increase as the

In 1994, Lewis County Public Utilities District completed construction of Cowlitz Falls Dam. The Cowlitz Falls hydro project wreaked sustained and irreparable havoc on recreational (not to mention other) values on the Lower Cispus River, including the actual destruction (by TNT!) of the Cowlitz Falls rapid, the flooding of 2 or so miles of Class II whitewater and the flooding of the existing boater take-out on the Lower Cispus. The whitewater community was unable to prevent construction of the dam

On April 19, American Whitewater staff conducted a site visit to the Sultan River. Local boaters Andy Bridge, Product Designer at Werner Paddles and Tom O’Keefe, Streamkeeper extraordinaire, requested American Whitewater’s assistance in solving access issues on the Lower Sultan and Upper Sultan. Gates restricting access to the lower have been closed on weekends and after 6 PM weekdays making this reach virtually off-limits for the 9 to 5 working boater. Access to the upper Sultan below Spada Lake is

American Whitewater’s Deerfield RiverfestSaturday, August 3, 2002DescriptionThe Deerfield Riverfest will begin at 2:00pm on August 3, 2002 in the large field across the street from Zoar Outdoor on Route 2, Charlemont, Massachusetts. The event focuses on bringing people to the area to enjoy a weekend of outdoor activities, showcase whitewater paddlesport and raise funds and membership for American Whitewater. The festival is an afternoon/evening event providing entertainment for both paddlesport and non-paddlesport enthusiasts young and old. Saturday afternoon on the

On June 1st and 2nd 1600 cfs spilled into the Cresta and Rock Creek reaches of the North Fork Feather River in northern California. This release resulted from five years of challenging negotiations by American Whitewater staff and volunteers to develop the terms and conditions of a new Pacific Gas and Electric hydropower license. “Being here for the initial release was both physically and emotionally exhilarating,” exclaimed John Gangemi, American Whitewater Conservation Director. “I fell in love with the North

When the rural community of BZ Corners was founded in 1930, few could have imagined that this would one day become the primary access point for the most popular whitewater river in the Columbia River Gorge (the take-out for the Green Truss section and put-in for the BZ section) . Over 18,000 boaters from around the Pacific Northwest and across the country enjoy paddling opportunities that are available year around in this federally designated Wild and Scenic River gorge.  

S. 2535: THE CALIFORNIA WILD HERITAGE ACT OF 2002 Note: American Whitewater is a member group of the California Wild Heritage CampaignSenator Barbara Boxer has introduced S.2535, the California Wild Heritage Act of 2002. The bill will significantly expand the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System and the National Wilderness Preservation System on federally managed public lands in California. S. 2535 is the largest river protection and the third largest wilderness bill in California history.The California Wild Heritage Act designates:

It is not often that an organization gets the opportunity to welcome a staff member who has so much to offer. Bob Taylor will be joining the American Whitewater team as the new Events Coordinator. He brings unprecedented levels of enthusiasm, unquestionable dedication to the American Whitewater Mission and loads of skills that will enhance the overall events program. Bob has been a long-standing volunteer for American Whitewater and was recently recognized as a volunteer of the month for AW

The Route 3 Wave is a well-loved intermediate park-n-play spot on New York’s Black River. It is an urban feature located in Downtown Watertown. A recent proposal to alter the wave to make it a more advanced breaking wave suitable for competitive freestyle kayaking has many local boaters deeply concerned about possibly losing a wave they treasure. AW has recently gotten involved with this project by talking to many of the key players and drafting comments for distribution to all

American Whitewater is a lean, non-profit organization able to take on national issues as well as solve hundreds of local river issues. American Whitewater’s success depends upon the many volunteers working hard to protect the beauty and integrity of their local whitewater rivers. Tom O’Keefe is one of those volunteers that seems to be everywhere a river issue pops-up in the Pacific Northwest. His academic background (river ecology and research in salmon restoration at the University of Washington) resonates in

The 2002 Teva Potomac Whitewater Festival is one of the most unique festivals in the country with its large number of different comeptitions which include squirt competitions, down river racing, extreme racing, hole riding, free riding, and attainment racing. Great weather and lots of spectators capped off a great event. Thank you to all of the new members of American Whitewater who joined up at the event. Check out results under the Events heading on the web page. Thank you

RHINELANDER WHITEWATER COURSE (PELICAN RAPIDS) 2002 RELEASES Note: Releases are water flow dependent, check for schedule updates DATE: May 29 (Work Day Brushing & Clean Up)TIME: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pmFLOW: No Release DATE: June 4TIME: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pmFISH RESCUE: 8:00 pm – 900 pmFLOW: 600 cfs DATE: June 24 (Paper Mill Shut Down)TIME: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm (please no paddlers before 5:00)FLOW: Run of River Flows DATE: June 25 (Paper Mill Shut Down)TIME: 8:00 am –

You get water in the North Fork of the Feather!! What IBR (Whaaaatt? Show up and find out!) Show up with your boat and gearWhen Saturday, June 15:00 p.m.Where Belden ResortWhy Because William says so. He’s watching you This will be the kickoff to an evening of celebration for the first release on the North Fork Feather, thanks to the years of work, angst and devotion to whitewater river restoration. The rest of the evening will also make William proud