Articles - American Whitewater

Senator Murray & Representative Randall Reintroduce Wild Olympics Bill (WA)

May 13, 2025

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Emily Randall (D-WA-06) reintroduced the Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, legislation that would permanently protect more than 126,500 acres of Olympic National Forest as wilderness and 19 rivers and their major tributaries—a total of 464 river miles—as Wild and Scenic Rivers. Designed through extensive community input to conserve ancient forests and pristine rivers, protect clean water and salmon habitat, and enhance outdoor recreation, the legislation would set

San Joaquin Horseshoe Bend Recreational Flow Forecast for 2025 (CA)

May 9, 2025

American Whitewater is excited to announce the 2025 forecast for recreational flows on the San Joaquin Horseshoe Bend reach. Southern California Edison (SCE) is providing boatable flows for a spill year and these flows are forecasted to begin on Friday, 5/16/2025 and last through Sunday, 5/18/2025. These flows are provided under the Big Creek 4 Hydropower Project Long-Term Operating Rules (LTOR). These rules were informed by nearly a decade of post-license studies and consultation with stakeholders, including American Whitewater and

New Mexico’s Rivers get Another Chance in Congress!

April 25, 2025

On April 18th, bill champions Senator Heinrich and Representative Vasquez reintroduced the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act. The bill, reintroduced for the 4th time since 2020, is set to protect nearly 450 miles in the Gila and San Francisco watersheds in southwest New Mexico. The reintroduced bill in the 119th Congress is identical to the bill introduced in the last congress where it made significant progress through the capitol’s numerous hurdles. After being introduced

Lawmakers Pull Back Bad Bridge Access Legislation in NC

April 22, 2025

Earlier this year, North Carolina legislators introduced a bill that would have made using public bridges over rivers as put-ins and take-outs illegal. Thankfully, the language criminalizing river access was recently removed from the bill, SB 220, and is no longer a threat. We’d like to thank the many boaters that reached out to your state legislators on this issue, and the legislators that changed course. Boater outreach helped inform the legislature to step back from a bill that would

Accident Summary for July–December 2024: Available online now

April 15, 2025

The American Whitewater Accident Summary for July–December 2024 is now available online. Since our inception, American Whitewater been a vigorous promoter of river safety information, and accident reporting has become integral to this task. Charlie Walbridge has used reports submitted by our membership to compile regular summaries of fatalities and close calls for our Journal since 1986. American Whitewater has catalogued over 2400 incidents on whitewater rivers dating back to 1972, which you can find and analyze for yourself in

Extended South Yuba (CA) Flows Continue

April 15, 2025

Flows on the South Yuba River (CA) will continue to be closer to natural flows for a second year as Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) works to repair diversion and hydropower infrastructure connected to Lake Spaulding. Although PG&E typically makes deliveries to water users below Lake Spaulding through its powerhouses and low-level outlets, repair delays continue to prevent them from diverting water. While there are clear negative impacts to irrigators and other downstream water users, domestic water supply should not

Limited Edition River Inspired AW Gear–Only Available Until April 20!

April 15, 2025

Show your support for American Whitewater with limited edition river inspired gear! American Whitewater has partnered again with FLOAT to bring you these tees, tanks, and hoodies, but only for a limited time! Celebrate the beauty of rivers and that ever important ingredient–flowing water! Purchasing these items directly supports American Whitewater’s stewardship efforts! We have several t-shirt and hoodie styles available and for every item sold FLOAT donates $8 to our program protecting, restoring and ensuring safe access and enjoyment

Boat passage at Poudre River Diversion Dam (CO) Moves Forward

April 10, 2025

After multiple years of advocacy by American Whitewater, the local outfitting community led by Rocky Mountain Adventures, and our nonprofit partners, the City of Fort Collins has agreed to improvements that will allow for boat and fish passage at the Gateway Diversion Dam in the lower Cache la Poudre River canyon. These dam modifications will restore aquatic connectivity and nearly double the length of the Filter Plant run, one of the river’s most popular reaches and one of the few

Southeast Rivers 6 Months After Hurricane Helene

April 10, 2025

It’s been a busy and often hard time in Western North Carolina in the six months since Hurricane Helene. While many rivers in the region were unaffected by the storm, American Whitewater and many other groups and individuals have been working hard on the more impacted rivers. Here is a quick run-down of some of what we’ve been up to and where things stand. Pigeon Dries American Whitewater is going to work hard to secure releases in the

Support the West Virginia Bridge Access Bill

April 10, 2025

The West Virginia Public Waterway Access Act would require that significant bridge construction projects include river access if it is safe and practical to do so. This common-sense bill would efficiently protect and improve river access across the state over time, and would benefit countless communities by providing simple close-to home paddling and fishing opportunities. In a state where boating is big business, this proposed law makes a ton of sense. Paddlers know the story too well: a bridge

Klickitat River Hatchery River Access Closure (WA)

April 10, 2025

Major upgrades are currently underway to modernize the 75-year-old Klickitat Hatchery in southern Washington state, funded by a $35 million project from the Bonneville Power Administration. The hatchery is closed to the public during this time, including parking, all river access, and portage around the low-head dam at the hatchery. Due to the closure, boating from Parrots Crossing to Summit Creek or Leidl is not recommended, particularly due to hazards associated with the low-head dam. Experienced boaters familiar with the

Opportunity to Comment on Need for Improved Access to Row River (OR)

April 4, 2025

The Army Corps of Engineers is currently updating their Master Plan for Cottage Grove and Dorena Lakes in the Willamette River Basin, Lane County, Oregon, and American Whitewater is encouraging the local paddling community to provide comments on the need for parking for day use and a trail to the river that is accessible to the public for hand-carry craft during the winter paddling season. This Master Plan identifies Future Management Needs for Recreation and references a need to “improve

Image of Recreational Flows provided by Sacramento Municipal Utility District for Slab Creek (CA)

2025 Recreational Flows for Slab Creek & Ice House (CA)

March 11, 2025

American Whitewater has negotiated 2025 recreational flow dates for the Upper American River Hydroelectric Project operated by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, including the Slab Creek and Ice House runs. Thus far, California’s snowpack and rainfall sets up excellent whitewater opportunities for the South Fork American River below Slab Creek Dam and South Fork Silver Creek below Ice House Dam. The forecasted water year for the watershed will give us six days of scheduled flows for Slab Creek and four days

Help Stop New Access Fee and Bridge Access Ban in NC

March 10, 2025

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is proposing an annual $30 license to use the river access sites they manage, and at the same time legislators are proposing legislation that would make it illegal to put in or take out almost anywhere else, namely at public bridges and right-of-ways. Together these proposals squeeze boaters onto relatively few rivers where they must pay a fee. Together these proposals squeeze boaters onto relatively few rivers where they must pay a fee.

NF American River’s (CA) Yankee Jim’s Bridge Closing on March 24th

March 5, 2025

Placer County Public Works is moving forward with the replacement of Yankee Jim’s Bridge over the North Fork American River after several delays. Hard closure of the board on both sides is likely to begin March 24th although perhaps a week or two later. This closure will impact folks that want to paddle the Class 2 section of the North Fork American between Yankee Jim’s and Ponderosa/Upper Clementine most significantly. Chamberlain Falls paddlers will need to paddle down through that

Stewarding Our Public Lands and Waters Requires a Workforce

February 24, 2025

During his first term, President Trump signed two major conservation laws. In 2019, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act protected 1.3 million acres as Wilderness, designated ten new Wild and Scenic River segments, and expanded three national parks. The following year, he supported the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, which directed $9.5 billion to address the National Park Service’s maintenance backlog and ensured a permanent annual allocation of $900 million to the Land and

Grant Funding Freeze Creates Uncertainty for River Projects

February 12, 2025

Federal grants play an important role in amplifying the membership contributions and donations that sustain American Whitewater’s mission. These grants account for a significant portion of our budget, supporting important projects that protect and enhance river access and recreation opportunities across the country. An example of recent success is the creation of our revised river safety code, open source river signage toolbox, and river safety video series, all produced under grant funding from the United States Coast Guard. We have

Protect America’s Outdoor Heritage

February 12, 2025

The American system for preserving public lands and supporting its citizens’ access to them has been the envy of the world, but it’s currently under attack. Use our easy-action form to ask your lawmakers to support a new bipartisan bill introduced by Congressman Zinke (MT-1) and Congressman Vasquez (NM-2) that helps keep public lands and waters in public hands by requiring congressional approval for the large-scale transfer or disposal of public lands and waters. Reaching out your representatives will also

Support Colorado River Access with a Night of Films

February 10, 2025

Join American Whitewater and the Roaring Fork Kayak Club for a night of river films, including, River of Sorrows, on February 20th in Glenwood Springs at the Vaudeville Theater. Doors will open at 5:30 and films begin at 6. We are fundraising for incredibly important work to defend and expand legal access to rivers in Colorado. Access is foundational in our ability to enjoy, restore and protect our rivers. Rig to Flip is creating a new and exciting film to

Comment Period Extended – Weigh in on Grand Canyon Fees and Management Today!

January 28, 2025

Update! In response to efforts from American Whitewater and our partners, Grand Canyon National Park has extended the public comment period until February 15th. We appreciate the extension and we encourage you to submit your comments to the Park on this issue before the deadline. American Whitewater is formally commenting on the drastic proposed fee increases for the Grand Canyon and you should too. At the start of the year, the National Park Service proposed a 244% increase for non-commercial

West Rosebud Creek Releases Now Scheduled and More Reliable (MT)

January 28, 2025

American Whitewater and our affiliate club, Beartooth Paddlers have worked with the power company and other stakeholders to simplify and schedule the summer recreational pulse flows on West Rosebud Creek, located southeast of Livingston, MT. For the past decade these dam releases have mitigated some of the hydropower project’s impacts on recreation, but their unpredictability caused challenges for visitors as well as dam operators. The new approach will remedy those issues, and now the public can plan their boating trips

Speak Up for Strong Permits for Nolichucky River Work

January 16, 2025

State and federal agencies in both North Carolina and Tennessee are in the process of issuing permits that will allow CSX to continue rebuilding their railroad through the Nolichucky River Gorge. CSX has already mined massive amounts of rock from the riverbed of the Nolichucky in Tennessee to save money on the reconstruction of their rail line, and is working their way into the heart of the Gorge in North Carolina. Current approaches to issuing permits for the work appear

Comment on Proposed Management Plan for Flathead River Forks (MT)

January 15, 2025

The Flathead National Forest is looking to create a new river management plan for the Wild and Scenic forks of the Flathead River. They’ve shared a “proposed action” that is a draft sketch of what they intend to include in the plan, and are accepting public comment by February 7, 2025. The forks of the Flathead River offers boaters the chance to fly, hike, ride a horse or drive into various sections to experience clear emerald water, excellent scenery, and

Forest Service Abandons Idaho River Protections

January 14, 2025

On January 10th, the U.S. Forest Service released the Final Record of Decision (ROD) for the updated Nez Perce-Clearwater Forest Management Plan. The decision protects only 12 rivers as potential Wild and Scenic Rivers, down from 29 rivers that had been protected for decades, and the 88 that the agency found eligible for protection under the new plan. The decision will allow the agency to carry out other management actions called for in the plan without safeguarding the unprotected streams’

2025 Southeast Advanced Release Schedule

December 18, 2024

American Whitewater and our affiliate clubs have spent the past 25 years working to restore flows to incredible Southeastern rivers impacted by dams. A lot of our work has focused on releases and access on Class II and III rivers like the lower Nantahala, Tuckasegee, Hiwassee, and Catawba, but we also secured releases in some classic steeper reaches previously dewatered by hydroelectric diversions. Each year we meet with power companies and agencies to schedule future releases, review ongoing ecology studies,