Articles

The recently introduced “Hydropower Clean Energy Future Act” by Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) represents a short-sighted effort that would roll back critical river and clean water protections, cut the public out of decision-making in hydropower licensing, and put whitewater rivers at risk. Hydropower has caused immeasurable harm to our nation’s rivers over the past century. American Whitewater has worked to improve river health and enhance opportunities for the public to enjoy rivers impacted by hydropower. In cases where hydropower dams

American Whitewater, along with several other river conservation partners, filed litigation today challenging new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules that would limit the ability of states to protect water quality at federally-licensed hydropower and other energy projects. The new rule effectively sidelines the role the states and the public have long played in permitting decisions affecting clean water, undercutting the central role of the states in protecting rivers under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. “These new regulations are

Today, Montana’s Custer-Gallatin National Forest became the most recent National Forest to release their new final management plan. American Whitewater engaged with our partners in Outdoor Alliance Montana, working with local volunteer Chris Ennis, to provide detailed information to the Forest Service on the recreational values and needs. Over the several year long process we shaped a vision for the Forest that was refined and presented to the Forest Service. A central part of that vision for paddlers was a

American Whitewater efforts, funded by a Conservation Alliance grant, to protect the San Joaquin River Gorge received a big boost with news that the proposed Temperance Flat Dam is effectively dead due to its exorbitant cost. This dam proposal threatened to drown 18 miles of river including the entire San Joaquin River Gorge. Proponents of this project had to provide final costs as a condition of receiving $171 million in funds necessary to initiate the project from the Proposition One,

The July/August Issue of the AW Journal is available in our online “Library.” This issue includes a our Annual Report as well as:   The backstory of our Boatable Days methodology for determining recreational instream flows in Colorado and beyond The third part of a packrafting adventure story Pride Day on the river celebration Staff highlight of Northeast Stewardship Director Bob Nasdor And much more!      Current members – Read the issue now!      Not a current member – Join or Renew!

American Whitewater is an organization that prides ourselves on getting work done, both effectively and efficiently. Eighty percent of every dollar we see goes directly to our stewardship work, and in 2019 we succeeded in turning that work into favorable outcomes on projects across the country. For a concise and graphic look at the work we accomplished together last year, check out our 2019 Annual Report.

In June 2020, the Northeast United States celebrated Pride Day on the River – on a variety of rivers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, Pride Day on the River transformed to a new form of community building. In keeping with our growing tradition, folks still got out to rivers on Saturday, June 13, 2020. But in light of the times, on this Pride Day the community joined together in spirit to think about and celebrate the lesbian,

The Upper Gunnison Water Conservancy District in Gunnison, Colorado is coordinating a Watershed Management Planning effort “to help protect existing water uses and watershed health in the Upper Gunnison Basin in the face of pressure from increased water demands and permanent reductions in water supply.” The current phase is focusing on Tomichi, Cochetopa, Cebolla, Taylor, and the Gunnison River above Blue Mesa. With local stewardship staff in Crested Butte, American Whitewater has joined the Watershed Management Planning Team to help

Please join our own Communications Director Evan Stafford, along with Brad Ludden and Joe Mornini for RESILIENCE on July 28! Evan will share his thoughts on the lessons whitewater and river stewardship can teach us about resilience. Along with presentations from the other panelists, we’ll also be raising funds for AW, First Descents and Team River Runner, and celebrating the launch of Joe Booth’s new book, From the River. Register today!

The Virginia Scenic Rivers Program turns 50 this year, and it just received quite the birthday gift — the addition of six rivers to the state scenic system! This milestone is further evidence that river designations are a broadly supported tool for communities to protect and celebrate the rivers that offer so much in terms of recreation, ecology, clean water, public health, and economic benefits. The additions became official July 1. They are: –         Clinch River in Tazewell and Russell counties (36.8 miles)* –         Grays Creek in

At Maryland’s Upper Yough, one of the country’s finest whitewater runs. American Whitewater has been maintaining the Sang Run Access for the past 20 years. With the 4th of July weekend coming up, a quick reminder that we are guests of the Town of Friendsville when we take out. In addition changing clothes discretely ad behaving respectfully, please observe social distancing during the pandemic. Garrett County has a low infection rate, and a mask when patronizing local businesses is the

The recent death of Chris Clark at Python Rapid on North Carolina’s Cheoah River is the third at this site in the last six years. In each case, the person who died was an expert paddler and their paddling partners did not see exactly what happened. Let’s take a close look at the Cheoah below Bear Creek Falls and develop strategies for future runs. The river here is very fast and continuous. After a fast lead-in (Chaos), the river drops over

We are taking the time to listen and learn. That is the statement American Whitewater made last month to reckon with the much-needed conversation about race taking place across the world. It was true to our desire to spend some real time assessing the intersection of justice, diversity, equity and inclusion within our river stewardship work. Since then, staff, with guidance from our board, has initiated some hard-internal conversations to discuss what we have learned and to figure out what

American Whitewater super-volunteer Don Millard has been taking care of the Sang Run and Friendsville Access Areas on Maryland’s Upper Youghioghenny River for the past several years. This bulds on a 2003 agreement between American Whitewater and Maryland State Parks, which owns the property. This year he rebuilt the change house and porta-pot shelter, set AW’s sign back up, filled in potholes, and mowed acres of grass. He not only did the work, he donated the materials and machine time!

Whitewater boaters from Maine to Pennsylvania gather each June in Charlemont, MA to celebrate whitewater boating and American Whitewater’s river advocacy to protect, restore, and enjoy our northeast rivers. While we can’t gather in-person this year, we’ll be having a virtual Deerfield Fest Membership Event this Friday, June 26th at 7 pm (EST) . Whether your favorite river is the Deerfield or the Deschutes, the Kennebec or the Klamath, the Moose or the Merced, join us on Friday for an

In October of 2019, we reported that Phoenix-based hydroelectric company, Pumped Hydro Storage, submitted applications to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for preliminary permits for two different hydroelectric projects in the Little Colorado River basin. At the end of May, both proposals received approval for their preliminary permits despite formal intervention from Native American tribes, American Whitewater, many of our members, and numerous environmental organizations. Thank you to those of you who provided your comments to FERC. These comments