Articles

American Whitewater has announced that it will be teaming up with Teva and Scott Lindgren Productions on the national touring debut of “Liquid Lifestyles: AERATED." “American Whitewater volunteers will speak at the presentation of Liquid Lifestyles: Aerated, produced by Emmy Award-Winning cinematographer Scott Lindgren and an incredibly experienced crew of expedition kayakers,” notes Risa Shimoda, Executive Director of American Whitewater. “They will note that in order for us to enjoy the fun and challenge of whitewater recreation, we must take

Unfortunately, the Teva Tariffville Whitewater Rodeo presented by Perception will fall victim to the worst drought the Northeast has seen in 125 years. Organizers were distraught to learn that reservoir and lake levels are at 40% of what they should be at this time of the year. Low lake levels and a virtually nonexistent snow pack forced government agencies to implement water conservation strategies to ensure that they will be able to meet capacity demands throughout the remainder of the

Help Needed from Lehigh River Runners! In February, American Whitewater met with Pennsylvania State Senator Stewart Greenleaf (R. Montgomery County) to discuss the possibility of improving whitewater recreation on the Lehigh River in Eastern Pennsylvania, and to support the Senator's many accomplishments in this ongoing process. Senator Stewart Greenleaf has been spearheading efforts to move a road from the upstream face of the Francis E. Walter Dam on the Lehigh River to the top of the structure. When water backs up today, the

Last fall’s Tallulah River releases were the most popular ever, with as many as 400 boaters climbing down the 653 steps into one of the south’s premiere whitewater runs. With this increase in use, the need for volunteers, and the need for us to tread lightly increases. It also increases our chances of getting more releases in a few years. We would like to thank all of the stellar volunteers from last fall, all the respectful boaters, and the weather

In August of 2000, Wilson Creek was given a great gift, Wild and Scenic River Designation. Now the USFS is requesting comments on how Wilson Creek should be managed to best protect the many fine qualities of Wilson Creek that earned it its designation. If you love Wilson Creek, and are concerned about its future, you should participate in this process. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is a great tool for river advocates, but it is not a perfect

“On August 18, 2000, Wilson Creek, From its headwaters below Calloway Peak to the confluence with the Johns River, Was designated a Wild and Scenic River.”So begins the letter from the Pisgah National Forest that requests public input regarding how the Wilson Creek area should be managed to protect the qualities for which it was designated as Wild and Scenic.The Wild and Scenic Rivers act is a wonderful legislative gift to river advocates, but does not equal absolute protection. The

The severe drought on the east coast has claimed yet another whitewater resource. American Whitewater recieved the following information regarding the releases on the Tohickon River in Eastern Pennsylvania: I just consulted with the Delaware River Basin Commission and I regret totell you that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will notbe able to do the whitewater release from Lake Nockamixon into the Tohickonthis March due to the drought emergency. We would be grateful if youhelped us get this

American Whitewater has announced a collaboration with Kayak Session, the magazine that brings ‘coffee table’ quality to imagery chronicling whitewater, including the critical role conservation and access play in the sport. “This publication will focus on the excitement of the sport that has driven broad awareness and technical advances,” states Risa Shimoda, American Whitewater Executive Director. “We will contribute an article to each issue, reminding the paddling community that American Whitewater staff and volunteers are working each day so that

Last night Slab Creek Dam started to spill. This morning there is approximately 900 cfs below the dam in the river. This stretch of river rarely sees boatable flows because SMUD can divert up to 4000 cfs around it. It is accessed by the road to Slab Creek Dam. Take out for the full run is the road to White Rock Power House, at the very head of Chili Bar Reservoir. About half way down Mosquito Road crosses the river

American Whitewater and the boating community had a couple of significant wins recently on the Pigeon River, which is on the TN/NC border.Fees Blocked Extra Releases AnnouncedPrivate Boater Fees Blocked American Whitewater’s access staff worked together in mid-February to thwart an attempt by the Cocke County Tennessee Tourism Director to impose a user fee on private boaters. We called the Tourism Director and were unsuccessful at reaching a mutually agreeable resolution. The proposed fees (on private property where we have

American Whitewater is pleased to announce that Tim Kelley has been appointed as AW Safety Chair. Kelley, an army officer and expert whitewater paddler, has an extensive background in risk management. He recently designed successful Risk Management Plans for several American Whitewater competitions and events. “Paddling is not just a sport of risk takers, it is a sport of risk technicians” notes retiring chair Lee Belknap, “It’s all about how to deal with the inherent risks of whitewater. Tim will

Hailing from Lansing, Michigan, Oren has been paddling for nine years, seven of which he’s been a perennial volunteer for the Ocoee Whitewater Games. He first endeared himself to boaters as the post-competition masseuse and still offers his services on site to the deserving weary. For his ‘day job,’ Oren is an Environmental Analyst for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. He reviews permit applications for work within streams, lakes, wetlands, floodplains, and critical dune habitat areas on the shorelines

American Whitewater has announced the winner of the Paddle Ecuador! contest, a membership drive that encouraged paddlers to recruit new members. The winner, Jim Sausville from Saranac Lake, NY has accepted the prize he has won by recruiting others to join American Whitewater, thereby supporting the organization’s river conservation and access programs. “Jim is an avid American Whitewater volunteer, having dedicated time to river restoration in hydropower relicensing proceedings on the Ausable River, building whitewater opportunities on the Saranac River,