Articles

Colorado’s rivers need your support in securing State funds for the development of watershed management plans – critical for maintaining and improving stream health throughout the State. In response to increasing droughts and a booming population, Colorado launched its first Statewide Water Plan in November, 2015. The Water Plan aims to sustain “a productive economy, vibrant and sustainable cities, productive agriculture, a strong environment, and a robust recreation industry”, now and in the future. The Plan mandates that Stream Management

The Winter issue of the AW Journal features "The Top Ten Stewardship Issues of 2017". This issue also includes. . . Talking Johns Creek Briars, Bare Feet, and Fish Family Fun on the Lower Salmon . . .and much more   Current members – Read the issue now! Not a current member – Join or Renew!

For the past few years, the staff of America Whitewater has joined with a number if our members to participate in a four-day float trip on the Rogue River in southern Oregon. This trip has been a great opportunity to connect with members in ways that build a lasting understanding of the role of recreation in fostering a stewardship ethic. As one of the original eight Wild and Scenic Rivers in the country, the Rogue is an outstanding classroom for

This past week Washington Governor Jay Inslee released his state budget. While the Governor has highlighted his top priorities as addressing education and mental health, his budget recognizes the importance of outdoor recreation. As a kayaker and outdoor enthusiast himself, the Governor recognizes that investment in outdoor recreation is good for the state economy (a $22 billion industry that generates significant tax revenue for the state), promotes a healthy active lifestyle, and is a defining character of the quality of

A new proposal to allow the development of a 90- acre open pit mine in Eagle County at the gateway to the Colorado River has local river users asking questions. We encourage everyone to attend an Open House December 6 at 6 PM at the Gypsum Recreation Center, and to make your voices heard at the Town Council meeting where they will discuss the application on December 13 at 7 PM.   Elam Construction of Grand Junction, Colorado is seeking annexation into

For the past five years the Oregon State Marine Board has engaged with the non-motorized boating community to learn how the Marine Board can better meet the needs of the community. The initiative came out of the Marine Board's 2011-2016 Strategic Plan, which was released in 2010. Through this initiative, the Marine Board convened the Non-Motorized Boating Advisory Committee.   In 2015, the Marine Board issued a Non-Motorized Boating Program 2011-2015 Strategic Plan Final Report that addressed the following five

In a strong statement of bipartisan support for the value of the outdoor recreation economy, the Senate and House have now both unanimously passed legislation that will count outdoor recreation jobs as part of Gross Domestic Product. These jobs include those provided by gear manufacturers, service providers, and retailers that support outdoor recreation experiences including whitewater recreation.   The Outdoor REC Act was introduced in the Senate by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) where it passed

El Dorado County has released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Mosquito Road Bridge Replacement Project.  The preferred proposal would cut off key access to the Slab Creek reach of the South Fork American River.  Last spring saw the first boating releases on this reach where over 200 paddlers showed up to experience this classic Class IV-V run. Yet, despite 3 years of community engagement, the DEIR fails to recognize the impacts to recreation like whitewater boating.  The

Each year American Whitewater’s membership elects Board of Director members to serve three-year terms. These candidates volunteer to serve on the American Whitewater Board. Current American Whitewater members can cast their votes through Midnight Pacific Time, December 15th. Currently, American Whitewater has four Director Nominees to fill four open seats for election, you may vote for up to four candidates on the slate. The ballot for our Board of Directors election is placed online here.   You must be a

The Chehalis Basin is the second largest river basin in Washington State. It is a uniquely fertile and abundant river basin, but it has suffered from devastating flooding for decades. One proposal to address the chronic flooding issue is construction of a new dam that would represent the largest new dam in Washington State in years on a currently free-flowing river.   The Washington Department of Ecology is currently accepting public comment on this proposal for a new massive dam

On October 29-30, recreational releases on the Pit 1 reach of the Pit River marked the end of another amazing year for restored boating opportunities at hydropower projects in California. Since the first recreational release in California occurred on the North Fork of the Feather River 15 years ago, the number of scheduled recreational boating days each year on California’s rivers has grown to over one hundred. In addition to the releases on the North Fork Feather and Pit rivers,

Last year our friends at REI started a movement for people to reconnect outdoors over the holidays. REI closed their stores on the day after Thanksgiving, one of the most popular shopping days of the year, paid their 12,000+ employees to spend time outside, and invited America to join in.   Here at American Whitewater we enthusiastically join our partners at REI in the belief that A Life Outdoors Is a Life Well Lived. Whether you’re a little kid building

Over the last several years, American Whitewater has been working with our partners to protect cherished whitewater rivers in SW Oregon and NW California from mining threats. Mining companies want to develop industrial scale nickel strip mines on public lands in southwest Oregon’s Kalmiopsis region, threatening Rough and Ready Creek, the Wild and Scenic Illinois River, Baldface Creek, and the Wild and Scenic North Fork and mainstem Smith Rivers. Nearby Hunter Creek and Pistol River on Oregon’s Wild Rivers Coast

American Whitewater works to protect and restore whitewater rivers across the country, and we rely on your ongoing support to keep our work on track. In the upcoming months, we will continue our stewardship work on the rivers you love and ensure that everyone has more opportunities to enjoy them safely.   Your membership dollars and donations will support our conservation efforts from protecting large landscapes and the whitewater rivers that flow through them to securing protections under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act,

American Whitewater is pleased to announce our 2016 Holiday Membership Offer – a one year AW membership paired up with our 2017 AW calendar. . .and all for just $40! Giving a great gift and supporting your favorite non-profit at the same time. . .great river karma!  We’ve made ordering the Holiday Membership Offer quick and easy, choose one of the options below and we’ll take care of the rest.     A gift for someone else – if they already have an AW

American Whitewater has received a seventh 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest and most utilized independent evaluator of charities. November 1, 2016, Charity Navigator, America's largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities, announced that American Whitewater has earned its seventh 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