Articles

As an organization, American Whitewater is fortunate to have a committed group of volunteer Board of Directors that provides the organization with high-level oversight and strategic direction. To sustain this healthy and vibrant Board, an effective election process is in place to insure an appropriate transition of Directors over time. This transition process balances the need for fresh ideas with appropriate leadership continuity. Our recent elections concluded on December 15, 2014.   New Directors starting their terms in January 2015

Over the last 50 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund ("LWCF") has been one of the most effective ways to expand and improve opportunities across the country for the outdoor recreation community, including whitewater paddlers. Chances are good that some of your experiences out on the water have been possible because of the LWCF.     The LWCF was established in 1965 to meet a growing demand for preserving natural spaces, and it has funded thousand of river access

On December 19th, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Yuba-Bear /Drum Spaulding Hydroelectric Project, located in the Yuba River watershed in Northern California. The licensees, Nevada Irrigation District and Pacific Gas and Electric Company operate the Yuba-Bear/Drum Spaulding system in tandem. Combined, the system includes 42 reservoirs and 16 powerhouses, is likely the most complex power project in the United States and covers an area greater than the state of Rhode Island.

On December 19th, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Yuba-Bear /Drum Spaulding Hydroelectric Project, located in the Yuba River watershed in Northern California. The licensees, Nevada Irrigation District and Pacific Gas and Electric Company operate the Yuba-Bear/Drum Spaulding system in tandem. Combined, the system includes 42 reservoirs and 16 powerhouses, is likely the most complex power project in the United States and covers an area greater than the state of Rhode Island.

American Whitewater has received a 5th 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest and most utilized independent evaluator of charities.   Dec 29, 2014, Charity Navigator announced that American Whitewater has earned its fifth 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.    A letter from Charity Navigator

Over the past year, American Whitewater, New England FLOW and Appalachian Mountain Club have been working with hydropower utilities in the northeast to complete flow studies as part of the relicensing of five hydropower porjects along the Connecticut River. This past summer, the flow studies at Sumners Falls/Hartland (VT/NH) and Turners Falls (MA) demonstrated that with appropriate flows, there are high quality boating opportunities available at both locations. Next year, we will assist with the completion of the final flow

In the summer of 2013, American Whitewater’s Regional Coordinator, John Simpkin, started the tedious task of gathering the facts and information to help American Whitewater get illegal fences blocking public access to the Cosumnes River at Latrobe Road Bridge removed.  Years prior to this a local boater, Steve Ruhnau, witnessed a landowner cementing and welding the iron fences to the bridge. Citing only the individuals who party and leave trash under the bridge, the landowner included sharp iron finials on

American Whitewater is pleased to announce Daniel Patrinellis as our December 2014 Volunteer of the Month!   For the past several years, Dan has been a passionate advocate for rivers in the Pacific Northwest. He has assisted American Whitewater on several projects, including protecting Ernie's Gorge from hydropower development and promoting whitewater boating opportunities on the Chelan Gorge.   Through videos, photos, and social media, Dan has helped us amplify the American Whitewater message and promote our work. This fall he

Support American Whitewater's Colorado River Program on Colorado Gives Day, December 9th!   American Whitewater is working to keep Colorado's rivers flowing and ensure safe access to them, and we need your help to keep this good work going. Colorado's largest one-day online giving event – Colorado Gives Day – is Tuesday, December 9th. That day, thousands of donors across the state will come together to support non-profit organizations like ours.    Last year, donors contributed a stunning $20.9 million