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
After 12 years of hard work, the Upper Colorado River Wild and Scenic Alternative Management Plan was finalized and formally accepted by the BLM and USFS to protect and enhance the flow related values – like recreational boating – of the Upper Colorado River. The first meeting of the Upper Colorado River Wild and Scenic Stakeholders Group, comprised of a dozen representatives of water utilities, city governments, and federal agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and United States Forest
In an unexpected and strategic move by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), a Colorado hunting or fishing license will now be required to access State Wildlife Areas and CPW-leased State Trust Lands (effective July 1, 2020). Many of these affected areas have historically been used for paddling, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping, and other non-consumptive recreation uses. CPW’s press release stated that “This rule is aimed at curtailing non-wildlife-related use of these properties”, and while we understand the need
Photo Credit: Adam Haydock In the ongoing saga of hydro dam developments proposed within striking distance of Grand Canyon National Park, American Whitewater is asking for help from the paddling community to stop a development that would impact the greater Grand Canyon area and its tributaries. Back in October 2019, we wrote an article outlining the proposal submitted by Phoenix-based hydroelectric company Pumped Hydro LLC to place two dams on the Little Colorado River, a tributary of the Colorado River’s
The New Mexico constitution gives us legal right to paddle all New Mexico rivers and streams. The Constitution states “[t]he unappropriated water of every natural stream, perennial or torrential, within the State of New Mexico, is hereby declared to belong to the public…” The State Game Commission acted far beyond its authority when it promulgated a Rule in 2017 authorizing state-sanctioned closure of public access to “non-navigable public water.” Rivers once promoted by the New Mexico State Parks Division in their
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
The Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest spans 1.1 million acres of Western North Carolina’s lush forested mountains. The Forest is home to popular whitewater runs like the Nantahala, Wild and Scenic Rivers like the Chattooga, and steep adventure runs like the Thompson River. The Forest’s streams are home to astounding biodiversity and produce drinking water, jobs, and recreational benefits across the region. Over the next two weeks you can have a say in the next Forest Plan that will govern how these
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
Last May American Whitewater and our colleagues at Friends of the River asked for your help to stop El Dorado Irrigation District’s (EID) proposed modification of Water Right Permit 21112. This proposal contained changes to water diversion points for 17,000-acre feet of water per year that would have been detrimental to 50 miles of whitewater on the South Fork American River. This included our favorite Class II-V whitewater reaches on Kyburz, Golden Gate, Slab Creek, Chili Bar, Coloma to Greenwood
The Great American Outdoors Act, a new bill that would permanently fund the LWCF and provide five years of funding for public lands and rivers is moving forward through Congress right now and we need your voice to make sure it becomes law. The Senate voted 80 to 17 on Monday to begin floor debate on the legislation. This means there’s still time to show your support for a visionary investment in the protection and enhancement of access to, and
American Whitewater has been pressing for an easing of restrictions on Clear Creek near Golden, Colorado for a number of weeks and we are happy announce, as of June 4, 2020, by order of Golden Police Chief Bill Kilpatrick and Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader, restrictions regulating waterway activities on Clear Creek have been modified from a full closure to a partial use restriction within the City of Golden and unincorporated Jefferson County. Under the partial use restriction, single-chambered, air-inflated
American Whitewater has worked for the past several years to successfully negotiate an agreement calling for 4 recreational releases each summer on the Scrambled Eggs reach of the Weber River, located near Ogden, Utah. This agreement was considered and supported in a recent Environmental Assessment (EA) authored by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, who are accepting public comments on the EA and will then issue a new 30 to 50-year license for the dam. Hopefully that license will include our
In December 2019 Northern States Power submitted their Notice of Intent and Preliminary Application Document to relicense both the Saxon Falls and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects. These two projects regulate flows on the West Branch Montreal and Montreal Canyon. Both of these runs are enjoyed by paddlers from across the Midwest and offer opportunities that are unique to the region. American Whitewater will be filing formal comments and a study request within the next week requesting an evaluation of flow
As paddlers, we appreciate the mental and physical health benefits of outdoor recreation. A beautiful day on the river with friends is often what makes us feel like ourselves again. Access and use of our public lands right now seems more precious than ever. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been difficult to watch river gages around that state rise and be unable to travel and visit these places we love due to state and local closures. We have a
As paddlers, we appreciate the mental and physical health benefits of outdoor recreation. A beautiful day on the river with friends is often what makes us feel like ourselves again. Access and use of our public lands right now seems more precious than ever. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been difficult to watch river gages around that state rise and be unable to travel and visit these places we love due to state and local closures. We have a
As the impacts of COVID-19 ripple through the economy, Members of Congress are seeking ideas for what economic recovery looks like. Several Congressional offices have reached out to American Whitewater to solicit ideas for projects and initiatives that would benefit public lands and outdoor recreation while putting people to work. Over the past two weeks we have been working with our colleagues at Outdoor Alliance to develop some specific proposals. We are thrilled to report that Senator Wyden from Oregon
We are celebrating a great win today after New Mexico Senators Udall and Heinrich announced the introduction of the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act. The Act, officially introduced on May 8, would protect over 440 miles of free-flowing rivers and streams in the Gila and San Francisco watersheds. Please help us thank the Senators for their commitment to protect these rivers by filling out this super easy form! This win comes after years of hard
American Whitewater needs your help to define stream flows that support the full range of recreational boating opportunities on the Poudre River in Northern Colorado. Information collected by this study will be used to understand existing use patterns on the river, quantify acceptable flows at the new whitewater park in Fort Collins, and assist in defining the economic impact river recreation has on the region. Please fill out the survey today! We have developed this survey so individuals and outfitters
