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Image for National River Database Information Available For Android In New App

National River Database Information Available For Android In New App

American Whitewater is pleased to announce that an Android App is now available for our river and gage information. This is the same information found in the national river database accessible from our website and utilized heavily by the paddling community. The app can be downloaded at Google Play here.   Special thanks for development of the app goes to Greg Lee and Rachel Jin who donated their time in this volunteer effort. An iOS version is in the future also

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Image for Charity Navigator Awards AW Eighth Consecutive 4-Star Rating

Charity Navigator Awards AW Eighth Consecutive 4-Star Rating

September 2017, Charity Navigator, America's largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities, announced that American Whitewater has earned its eighth consecutive 4-star rating. Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that American Whitewater adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way. The letter from Charity Navigator informing American Whitewater that it was awarded a eighth 4-star rating from Charity Navigator is

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Image for AW Volunteer Of The Month Presented By Kokatat : Christian Knight

AW Volunteer Of The Month Presented By Kokatat : Christian Knight

American Whitewater is proud to recognize longtime Pacific Northwest paddling aficionado Christian Knight as our Volunteer of the Month for his efforts organizing an extremely successful clean-up at Eagle Falls on the Skykomish River in Washington state. Eagle Falls is a beautiful roadside attraction for a straightforward class V park and huck at low water or a frothy one drop rollercoaster at high water. The walls and boulders around the falls had become defaced by graffiti over time taking away

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Image for Schedule Changes PIT 1 Recreational Releases  (CA)

Schedule Changes PIT 1 Recreational Releases (CA)

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has confirmed that they are changing the scheduled recreational flow days for PIT 1 to 4 consecutive days starting Friday October 6 through Monday October 9 (Columbus Day Weekend). This is due to resource constraints brought on by a combination of winter storm damage to the facilities, roads and increased reliance on Pit 1 generation to make up for the outage of the Pit 5 powerhouse. PG&E will start ramping up spill at 7:00 am

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Image for Dam Removal on Sullivan Creek Begins Next Week! (WA)

Dam Removal on Sullivan Creek Begins Next Week! (WA)

Excavators are in place at Mill Pond Dam on Northeastern Washington's Sullivan Creek, poised to begin chipping away at the 50-foot tall dam on Tuesday, September 12th, 2017. Removing the concrete dam, and an older log-crib dam under the reservoir is expected to take a couple months. American Whitewater played a significant role in negotiating this dam removal, and we are excited to watch the progress this fall. Mill Pond Dam was built in 1909 and generated power until 1956,

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Image for 2017 Letter to Gauley Boaters From The NPS (WV)

2017 Letter to Gauley Boaters From The NPS (WV)

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 letter is posted here. The Park Service also shared information regarding their flow alert program. American Whitewater was notified by the owner of the land at Sweets Falls who asked that paddlers not hang out on the

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Image for Northern Idaho Wild and Scenic Comments Needed

Northern Idaho Wild and Scenic Comments Needed

The Lochsa, Selway, Clearwater, and Salmon watersheds are special places for paddlers from around the world. These special rivers flow clean and cold, and boast thousands of miles of tributaries to explore. The Nez Perce and Clearwater National Forests are writing a new Forest Plan and are asking the public to share thoughts on which rivers should be protected as "eligible" for future designation as Wild and Scenic Rivers. This is a terrific opportunity for paddlers to protect rivers by

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Image for Comments needed on Upper Colorado River Recreation Area Management Plan

Comments needed on Upper Colorado River Recreation Area Management Plan

KREMMLING, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management has released for public review preliminary alternatives for managing about 40 miles of the Upper Colorado River between Parshall and State Bridge. This includes, Gore Canyon, Pumphouse, and Radium. The BLM is updating the Recreation Area Management Plan for that area, also known as the Upper Colorado River Special Recreation Management Area. It is within the Kremmling Field Office, an extremely popular area for commercial and private float-boating and fishing. More than

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Image for AW Secures Improved State Permit for New River Dries, Now Up to Feds (WV)

AW Secures Improved State Permit for New River Dries, Now Up to Feds (WV)

American Whitewater reached an important milestone this week in our efforts to restore flows and public access to the New River Dries. Earlier this summer American Whitewater appealed a State decision to provide only 3-4 paddling releases annually, and vehicular access that required a 1.2-mile hike to the put in at the dam. On Tuesday the State issued an improved decision following over a month of negotiations, and in exchange American Whitewater withdrew our appeal. The New River Dries is

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Image for Clif Flowing Rivers Grant Awards for 2017

Clif Flowing Rivers Grant Awards for 2017

American Whitewater is proud to announce the two affiliate recipients of the 2017 Clif Flowing Rivers Campaign: The Upper Colorado River Private Boaters Association and Bluegrass Wildwater Association! Each group will receive a $1,250 grant to go towards their respective stewardship projects.   Upper Colorado River Protection – Upper Colorado River Private Boaters Association The Upper Colorado River Private Boaters Association (UCPBA) is a local advocacy group working to protect and ensure recreational opportunities on the Upper Colorado River and

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Image for Looking For Water to Boat? Check Out Our Pacific Northwest Releases

Looking For Water to Boat? Check Out Our Pacific Northwest Releases

Not so long ago options for paddlers in the Pacific Northwest were rather limited while awaiting the return of fall rains, but we’re excited to highlight some great opportunities for boaters to get out and enjoy rivers this fall in the region.   The fun begins the weekend of August 19/20 in Oregon with two days of whitewater flows on the North Fork Rogue and a shuttle provided by PacifiCorp. The run from Mill Creek Falls is a fun class

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Image for Defend Clean Water Today [Deadline Extended]!

Defend Clean Water Today [Deadline Extended]!

The Clean Water Act is responsible for the safe water quality and many of the dam releases paddlers enjoy. In 2015 the Environmental Protection Agency created the Clean Water Rule based on robust science and vast public comment to ensure the Clean Water Act was protecting our nation’s waterways as intended. Rules guide how agencies implement laws like the Clean Water Act. The EPA is now proposing to repeal their 2015 Clean Water Rule. Repealing the rule is the EPA’s

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Image for Gore Fest 2017 is a few weeks away!

Gore Fest 2017 is a few weeks away!

Bond, Colorado – American Whitewater is happy to announce the Gore Canyon Festival – August 25-27th 2017. Online registration is open!   The Gore Canyon Festival is the premiere whitewater event in Colorado. Focused around the Class V downriver race through its namesake Gore Canyon on the upper Colorado River, GoreFest has brought the worlds elite whitewater athletes, families, anglers and river enthusiasts together for an awesome end of season event that celebrates the upper Colorado River.   In addition to

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Image for Forest Planning in Colorado - Attend a Public Meeting!

Forest Planning in Colorado – Attend a Public Meeting!

Colorado – The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison National Forest (GMUG) is beginning a multi-year process to revise their Forest Plan and we need you to get involved!  Public meetings started last month and there are many opportunities to comment through the planning process. The new Forest Plan will dictate how recreation, wildlife habitats, watersheds, timber projects, grazing and more will be managed on the GMUG for the next 20-30 years.  This is our chance to protect important recreation areas, potential

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Image for AW, FERC Call for Mongaup (NY) Boating Study

AW, FERC Call for Mongaup (NY) Boating Study

American Whitewater, along with Kayak and Canoe Club of New York and Appalachian Mountain Club, have joined with FERC in calling on Eagle Creek Renewable, owner and operator of three hydropower projects on the Mongaup River in New York, to conduct a whitewater boating study on the section below the Rio Dam. The Mongaup is a scenic Class II/III river within easy reach of New York City and southern New England.    The Mongaup River is a highly valued whitewater

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Image for Montana National Forest Proposes New River Protections

Montana National Forest Proposes New River Protections

The Custer-Gallatin National Forest has proposed new protections for 18 outstanding streams in Montana through their forest planning process. The Forests propose to manage these streams as “eligible” for Wild and Scenic designation, along with 12 other rivers and streams previously determined to be eligible. Wild and Scenic eligibility offers stream corridors interim protection from dams and other impacts. The Forests’ analysis is solid in our view and merits appreciation from paddlers, though there is room for a bit of

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Image for Submit Your Best Photos for the AW Calendar by August 6th

Submit Your Best Photos for the AW Calendar by August 6th

Submit your best photos for American Whitewater's annual calendar! When The deadline is August 6th, 2017. How Via our online submission form. Images must be submitted as high-resolution files (suitable for printing up to 10", at least 1MB) for inclusion in the calendar, without monetary compensation. Maximum 10 photo entries per person. Who Any and all photographers, from professionals to complete novices. Have you taken a photo before? Then you're ready. Why First, you'll get a free copy of the

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Image for Oregon Environmental Quality Commission Takes Action to Protect North Fork Smith

Oregon Environmental Quality Commission Takes Action to Protect North Fork Smith

Earlier this month the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission unanimously voted to designate the waters of the North Fork Smith River in southwest Oregon as the first Outstanding Resource Water in the Pacific Northwest.   Outstanding Resource Waters are high quality waters that constitute an outstanding state resource due to their extraordinary water quality or ecological values, or where special protection is needed to maintain critical habitat areas. American Whitewater worked with our many partners to support this designation and hundreds

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Potomac River Closure for Golfing Officials Sparks Controversy

Several newspapers reported this week that the Coast Guard is proposing to close a portion of a popular section of the Potomac River whenever high-ranking government officials are playing golf at Trump National Golf Club. DC area paddlers quickly balked at the proposal and Congressional leaders have joined them in pushing back against the proposal.  The Coast Guard has posted their proposed closure rules, and an opportunity to comment online until August 9, 2017. Respectful comments that show how the

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Image for AW Files Supportive Ocoee River Release Comments (TN)

AW Files Supportive Ocoee River Release Comments (TN)

Earlier today American Whitewater filed comments on the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) proposal to largely maintain the existing whitewater release schedule on both the upper and middle Ocoee River for the next 15 years. These comments are on the "scoping" stage of TVA's analysis in which they ask the public which issues and alternatives TVA should study in an Environmental Assessment or Impact Statement. American Whitewater asks TVA in our comments to ensure that no net loss in releases occur

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Image for The July/August AW Journal Available in the Library Now!

The July/August AW Journal Available in the Library Now!

The July/August issue of the AW Journal is available in the "Library". This issue features ‘American Whitewater's 2016 Annual Report’.  Read the issue now online or download your copy. This issue also includes. . . ·         New and Improved River Access in California ·         The Grandest Canyon ·         The Wild, Magical Rogue River ·         . . .and much more Current members – Read the issue now! Not a current member

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Image for Spill Cessation Horseshoe Bend - San Joaquin River (CA)

Spill Cessation Horseshoe Bend – San Joaquin River (CA)

In high water years, the dam that controls the flow to Horseshoe Bend on the San Joaquin will spill when water levels fill the reservoir. These flows are uncontrollable but usually when flows drop to a point that can be controlled Southern California Edison (SCE) makes use of these flows for power generation instead of letting it continue downstream. Leaving no water for whitewater recreation.   This year, however, American Whitewater, San Joaquin Stakeholders and Agencies have negotiated with SCE

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Image for Recreation Survey for Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests

Recreation Survey for Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests

Please take this survey for a study of the economic impact of rock climbing, whitewater paddling, and mountain biking in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests! This is a partnership project between Outdoor Alliance, American Whitewater, IMBA, and Access Fund, and we'll use the data to advocate for recreation and good management of public lands in North Carolina.    Dr. James N. Maples, an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Eastern Kentucky University is conducting the study examining the economic impact

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Image for Save The Date: Wild West River Fest (WY)

Save The Date: Wild West River Fest (WY)

Cody, Wyoming – This August 19 & 20 the Wild West Paddle Club is hosting the 2017 Wild West River Fest in Cody, Wyoming. In celebration of the beautiful Shoshone River, the Fest has events for everyone – Slalom Race, Class II Sprint, Shoshone Canyon Boater Cross, and many other fun activities for the whole family! Weekend festivities are free to the public, with the exception of race registration fees for competitors. You can find a full schedule here and all

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Image for Last Chance! National Monuments Review Comments

Last Chance! National Monuments Review Comments

National Monuments designated under the Antiquities Act have generated considerable discussion in our nation’s capitol. First the Trump Administration released an Executive Order on April 26th that directs Interior Secretary Zinke to conduct a review of “all Presidential designations or expansions of designations under the Antiquities Act made since January 1, 1996, where the designation covers more than 100,000 acres, where the designation after expansion covers more than 100,000 acres, or where the Secretary determines that the designation or expansion

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