Articles

The United States Forest Service (USFS) recently released Draft Revisions for their Sequoia and Sierra National Forest Land Management Plans. As a part of this process, National Forests are required to identify the eligibility of rivers for inclusion into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Once a river is found eligible it is managed to protect the values that support their inclusion. Over the course of 5 years of engagement, American Whitewater has identified 228 river miles in the

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is in their final stages of revising the Resource Management Plan for the Eastern Colorado Field Office, which encompasses the Arkansas River Corridor from Leadville to Cañon City and includes Grape Creek. The Management Plan, which hasn’t been revised since 1996, sets the blueprint for how our rivers are managed and which protections they are afforded. The BLM depends on the public – folks like yourself – to speak up and tell them why

Gore Fest 2019 marked the 30th anniversary of the Gore Race, our banner event. Both the race and festival had all time turn out. The event fulfills our mission of enjoying these resources we love and work so hard to defend. Gore Fest was born out of the work AW has done and continues to do to protect and restore flows on the Upper Colorado River. This year proved our community is ready to enjoy it. We had 66 folks

The September/October issue of the AW Journal is available in the “Library”. This issue highlights a proposed forest service rule change that will threaten public input as well as:   -‘The Whitewater Legacy of Jimmy Carter’ -Updates on releases across the country -A great piece on the early days of paddling the Cumberland Plateau -Loads of Stewardship updates and much more!          Current members – Read the issue now!           Not a current member – Join or Renew!

The September/October issue of the AW Journal is available in the “Library”. This issue highlights a proposed forest service rule change that will threaten public input as well as:   -‘The Whitewater Legacy of Jimmy Carter’ -Updates on releases across the country -A great piece on the early days of paddling the Cumberland Plateau -Loads of Stewardship updates and much more!          Current members – Read the issue now!           Not a current member – Join or Renew!

American Whitewater received the following open letter to boaters from the rangers and staff of the Gauley River National Recreation Area. This letter will keep you up to date on important management actions of the National Park Service on the Gauley River. The Park Service also shared information regarding their flow alert program here. Enjoy your paddling season on this classic whitewater river. As in past years, American Whitewater has leased the field above Masons Branch, also known as the

VIEW THE ADIRONDACKS CAMPAIGN STORY MAP The mighty rivers of the Adirondack Region have been dammed and dewatered for more than a century. Once vibrant and free flowing, dams have damaged the natural river ecosystems of the region, home to diverse aquatic and terrestrial life. The Adirondack Region is renowned for its abundant recreational opportunities that have provided economic benefits to communities for over a century, yet these dams have reduced boating and fishing opportunities by inundating rapids, diverting flows,

VIEW THE ADIRONDACKS CAMPAIGN STORY MAP The mighty rivers of the Adirondack Region have been dammed and dewatered for more than a century. Once vibrant and free flowing, dams have damaged the natural river ecosystems of the region, home to diverse aquatic and terrestrial life. The Adirondack Region is renowned for its abundant recreational opportunities that have provided economic benefits to communities for over a century, yet these dams have reduced boating and fishing opportunities by inundating rapids, diverting flows,

Position Description: The Stewardship Assistant is responsible for supporting American Whitewater’s Regional Stewardship Directors in project-related analysis, research, and writing as well as communicating and advocating for our work to resource agencies, funders, elected officials, and our membership. The Stewardship Assistant is an hourly 20hr/week contract position with potential for growth. Hourly contract pay is competitive and based on experience, without benefits or office space provided. The Stewardship Assistant location is flexible, and reports to the National Stewardship Director.    

Submit your best photos for the American Whitewater Calendar! Many of the best whitewater rivers in this country are on public lands, but our rivers on public lands also face a number of challenges. For our 2020 calendar we’re celebrating these incredible rivers that belong to all of us in an effort to encourage your enjoyment of them and their protection. Images that feature rivers on public lands will be given the highest consideration and bonus points for images that feature

When American Whitewater goes to bat for river corridor protections, or to stop a dam or mining project before it starts, our main tool is the combined force of our voices giving public feedback on how these actions will positively or adversely affect the rivers we love and our enjoyment of them. Unfortunately, right now the Forest Service is set to make changes that would take away our right to have a say in how public lands and rivers are managed. We

When American Whitewater goes to bat for river corridor protections, or to stop a dam or mining project before it starts, our main tool is the combined force of our voices giving public feedback on how these actions will positively or adversely affect the rivers we love and our enjoyment of them. Unfortunately, right now the Forest Service is set to make changes that would take away our right to have a say in how public lands and rivers are managed. We

American Whitewater is pleased to recognize Charlie Duffy as our August Volunteer of the Month. Charlie is a long-time kayaker and swiftwater rescue instructor who has worked hundreds of hours to help AW improve the Accident Database. He has gone over every single entry, checking each for accuracy and adding more information as needed. In the process, he uncovered a number of bugs in the way the new website handles the database. These have been reported and corrected. He also prepared

Many thanks those who have contributed to AW’s Sang Run Access Fund on line. We raised over $1200 to pay for the porta potty and gravel. Thanks to you, we’ve maintained this site for the State of Maryland for over 20 years! Let’s also give a special shout out to Don Millard, who has cut the grass in both Friendsville and Sang Run for many years to keep our access costs low. If not for him you might see a

I can’t keep my mouth shut any longer. I’ve been troubled the past couple weeks with the direction river surfing is going. I’ve been wrestling with bringing it up because I’m afraid of alienating myself and getting crucified online by the river surfing community. But this isn’t about me, this is about the future of our sport and the lives of others.  I don’t like surfing in the river alone. And lately, even with a 15 person deep line up