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Annual Report for 2014 Available

American Whitewater released our 2014 Annual Report, it can be downloaded by clicking here. A couple interesting points from that report. First, we are very fortunate to have a highly diversified revenue stream. What this means for a nonprofit is that if one stream were to dry up, other sources of revenue can carry the organization. This is critical for long-term organizational sustainability. Second, our lean administrative model means that .85 cents on every dollar passes through directly to support

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Image for Upper Methow Recreational Boating Survey (WA)

Upper Methow Recreational Boating Survey (WA)

The Yakama Nation is currently conducting a survey of recreational boating on the reach of the Methow River from the Lost River confluence down to the Weeman Bridge. While this reach sees more limited boating than sections downstream, we know that this reach that includes the community of Mazama is used for river-based recreation.  The Yakama Nation has a been a great partner on restoration projects throughout the Columbia Basin including Condit Dam removal and we appreciate their proactive approach

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Image for Congress Introduces Protections for Oregon Rivers

Congress Introduces Protections for Oregon Rivers

Recently, Congress has taken several important steps to protect cherished whitewater rivers and wild landscapes throughout Oregon. Last week, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley introduced the 2015 Oregon Wildlands Act, proposing to protect Devil's Staircase near the Oregon Coast as Wilderness, the Molalla and Rogue Rivers as National Recreation Areas, and expand the national Wild and Scenic Rivers System at all three locations. Additionally, earlier this year Representatives Peter DeFazio (OR) and Jared Huffman (CA) joined Senators Wyden

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Image for West Rosebud Release This Weekend (MT)!

West Rosebud Release This Weekend (MT)!

Montana's awesome Class IV/V West Rosebud Creek will be running this weekend thanks to a recreational dam release.  These releases are relatively subtle increases in flow that bring the creek into prime paddling levels, and were negotiated by American Whitewater and Beartooth Paddlers.  If not for these releases, there would likely be no optimal paddling opportunities on West Rosebud Creek this year.   The releases will begin at the dam at 8:30am and the peak of the 500cfs flow should

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Image for 2015 Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign Grant Deadline Extended

2015 Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign Grant Deadline Extended

American Whitewater and Clif Bar are pleased to announce the Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign, pledging $2,500 to American Whitewater Affiliate Clubs for river stewardship work. Funding for this program is provided by the Clif Bar partnership with American Whitewater. Clubs have the opportunity to apply for one of two $1,250 grants.    Grants will be distributed to clubs for projects that promote river stewardship, conservation, access and/or safety on rivers in the United States. All submissions must be received

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Image for Submit Photos for the 2016 AW Calendar This Month!

Submit Photos for the 2016 AW Calendar This Month!

Submit your best photos for American Whitewater's annual calendar! When The deadline is August 1st, 2015. How Via our online submission form. Images must be submitted as high-resolution files (suitable for printing up to 10") 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 calendar if your

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Image for Punchbowl Falls Funding Secured (OR)

Punchbowl Falls Funding Secured (OR)

A vision more than a century in the making is about to become reality with last week’s decision by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission to approve the grant for the acquisition of Punchbowl Falls and the property at the confluence of the West and East Forks of the Hood River.   Punchbowl Falls was identified as top acquisition priority for American Whitewater in the Western United States. While the site has been used by the boating community and the

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Image for Mountains to Sound Greenway Legislation Introduced (WA)

Mountains to Sound Greenway Legislation Introduced (WA)

Bipartisan legislation was introduced this past week to designate the Mountains to Sound Greenway as a National Heritage Area. Senate legislation was introduced by Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, and House legislation was introduced by Congressmen Dave Reichert and Adam Smith.   The Mountains to Sound Greenway includes rivers in the Snoqualmie, Cedar, and Yakima River watersheds and some great close-to-home whitewater for whitewater paddlers living in the Puget Sound Region and along the I-90 corridor including the Middle-Middle,

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Image for Savage River Releases Coming Up

Savage River Releases Coming Up

Two Savage River recreational whitewater releases are sponsored by the Adventuresport Program at Garrett College in McHenry, MD this year: Sunday, July 5 and Saturday, September 26.    Paddlers are reminded to 1) sign a Garrett College waiver, and 2) use the Garrett College shuttle to minimize traffic on Savage River Road. The shuttle service over Memorial Day Weekend was very efficient, and took less time than driving your own car up and down the river. A donation of $10 is

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Image for On the Road: Colorado College to FIBArk

On the Road: Colorado College to FIBArk

This week AW staff had a great opportunity to spend some time with students at Colorado College, who are focusing the next 10 weeks on Western water issues. They’re digging into topics ranging from water savings and water banking, to tribal rights, to perceived conflicts between recreation and ecosystem needs, and even to water quality. Together, we explored the policy and regulatory options that allow us to keep water in our rivers – Wild & Scenic, Colorado's Instream Flow Program,

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Image for King County Survey of Rivers (WA)

King County Survey of Rivers (WA)

King County has some great whitewater on the South Fork Skykomish and tributaries like the Tye and Money Creek; forks of the Snoqualmie with great runs like Ernie's, Middle-Middle, and Fall in the Wall; Green River Gorge; Cedar River; and White River. As part of an ongoing effort to guide management of rivers, the King County Water and Land Resources Division is conducting a survey of resident attitudes and perspectives on rivers. The short survey explores these issues: How do

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Image for Camping Now Open on Middle Fork American River

Camping Now Open on Middle Fork American River

After a private boater was cited for misdemeanor criminal charges for camping, American Whitewater asked California State Department of Parks and Recreation to reconsider their camping policy on the Middle Fork American River (MFA).  This policy essentially banned private boating camping from July to October to reduce the risk of fire.  In a letter to Superintendent Mike Lynch, Auburn State Recreation Area (ASRA), Dave Steindorf acknowledged the importance of protecting the recreation area from fire risks but did not believe

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Camping Now Open on Middle Fork American River

After a private boater was cited for misdemeanor criminal charges for camping, American Whitewater asked California State Department of Parks and Recreation to reconsider their camping policy on the Middle Fork American River (MFA).  This policy essentially banned private boating camping from July to October to reduce the risk of fire.  In a letter to Superintendent Mike Lynch, Auburn State Recreation Area (ASRA), Dave Steindorf acknowledged the importance of protecting the recreation area from fire risks but did not believe

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Image for AW Gauley River Festival ~ September 18th – 19th ~ Summersville, WV

AW Gauley River Festival ~ September 18th – 19th ~ Summersville, WV

Gauley Fest. . .bigger and better every year! Started in 1983 to celebrate the derailment of a hydro-electric project that would have disrupted the flows on the Gauley River, Gauley Fest has grown to become the largest river festival in the world. It's a showcase for American Whitewater and the top whitewater vendors in the boating community. Vendor registration is now open and we encourage you to reserve your space now! Registration for Basic and Non-Profit booth space purchases are available online

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AW Gauley River Festival ~ September 18th – 19th ~ Summersville, WV

Gauley Fest. . .bigger and better every year! Started in 1983 to celebrate the derailment of a hydro-electric project that would have disrupted the flows on the Gauley River, Gauley Fest has grown to become the largest river festival in the world. It's a showcase for American Whitewater and the top whitewater vendors in the boating community. Vendor registration is now open and we encourage you to reserve your space now! Registration for Basic and Non-Profit booth space purchases are available online

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Image for Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild & Scenic Rivers Act of 2015 Introduced (WA)

Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild & Scenic Rivers Act of 2015 Introduced (WA)

Area CEO’s, Sportsmen, Businesses, Conservation & Recreation groups thank Murray, Kilmer for reintroducing Wild Olympics bill this congress   QUILCENE, Wash. (June 4, 2015 )  The Wild Olympics Coalition, which includes American Whitewater, today cheered the introduction of the Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by Senator Patty Murray and Representative Derek Kilmer to permanently protect more than 126,500 acres of Olympic National Forest as wilderness and 19 rivers and their major tributaries, a total of 464

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Image for Bellows Falls (VT) Flow Study Reveals Hidden Whitewater

Bellows Falls (VT) Flow Study Reveals Hidden Whitewater

Last weekend in Bellows Falls (VT), a hardy group of northeast boaters climbed into the natural river channel below a hydropower dam to participate in a flow study designed to assess whether whitewater flows should be restored to this dewatered river reach on the Connecticut River. Largely inaccessible and devoid of natural flows except in high water condition, this rugged gorge contains whitewater features that would provide northeast boaters with a new paddling opportunity. This section of the Connecticut River

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Image for Support American Whitewater This Summer!

Support American Whitewater This Summer!

Throughout the rest of 2015, American Whitewater will be working hard across the country to protect and restore the rivers that you love, and ensure that the public can enjoy them safely. As you'll see in our 2015 Summer Appeal, we've got our work cut out for us, from addressing the impacts of the drought in California and making progress towards removing deadbeat dams in the Pacific Northwest, to keeping water in Colorado's rivers and advocating for Wild and Scenic

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Support American Whitewater This Summer!

Throughout the rest of 2015, American Whitewater will be working hard across the country to protect and restore the rivers that you love, and ensure that the public can enjoy them safely. As you'll see in our 2015 Summer Appeal, we've got our work cut out for us, from addressing the impacts of the drought in California and making progress towards removing deadbeat dams in the Pacific Northwest, to keeping water in Colorado's rivers and advocating for Wild and Scenic

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Image for Support American Whitewater This Summer!

Support American Whitewater This Summer!

Throughout the rest of 2015, American Whitewater will be working hard across the country to protect and restore the rivers that you love, and ensure that everyone can enjoy them safely. As you'll see in our 2015 Summer Appeal, we've got our work cut out for us, from addressing the impacts of the drought in California and making progress towards removing deadbeat dams in the Pacific Northwest, to keeping water in Colorado's rivers and advocating for Wild and Scenic protections in

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