Articles

Yesterday Senator John Walsh (D-MT) introduced legislation to designate a spectacular 20 mile section of Montana's East Rosebud Creek as a Wild and Scenic River.  Designation will protect the stream from future hydropower dams, water quality degradation, and other impacts, while allowing continued enjoyment and uses of the stream.  American Whitewater fully supports this move and looks forward to permanent protection for East Rosebud and other worthy streams in Montana.  Several years ago a hydropower developer proposed to dewater several

Gauley Fest is the world's biggest paddling festival and American Whitewater's biggest fundraiser – but we need your help! Please sign up to volunteer and become a part of the Gauley Fest Volunteer Team! It's a fun and easy way for you to be a critical part of an amazing festival. Volunteer Rewards Volunteers-only Gauley Fest T-shirt tickets for a “volunteer only” raffle The feeling of knowing that you help AW put on a critical fundraiser! We've even got a few

American Whitewater is seeking an energetic and dynamic individual to fill the position of Outreach and Technology Director. If you thrive in collaborative processes and have a strong communication skill set, this could be the job for you.   TITLE:                     Outreach and Technology Director  JOB CLASS:         Regular Full-Time, Salaried REPORTS TO:      Executive Director     OVERVIEW The Outreach and Technology Director is located in the

  How would it be if there was a dam (or another dam or two) on your favorite river? Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz has set an ambitious goal of damming 3 million rivers and streams in order to double our hydropower production by 2030. With over 1700 whitewater runs across the country on the list, there's a good chance that yours is being eyed by hydropower developers. (You can find out whether your river is on the list in a

Zak Podmore paddles into the intertidal zone near the mouth of the Colorado River, May 9, 2014 (photo: Jeff Moag/Canoe & Kayak Magazine) Colorado River Delta –  American Whitewater is working everyday to ensure that water remains in the upper reaches of the Colorado River, keeping runs flowing like Gore Canyon, Shoshone, Westwater and Cataract Canyons. On tributaries of the Colorado River – places like the Gila River, Desolation Canyon, the Dolores, or the Yampa – we're working to improve

It’s almost summer. That means paddling season is either just beginning or it's in full swing. Spring runoff is being chased, boats are being brought out of winter storage, drysuits and tops are being packed away for the late fall, and hopefully everyone is optimistic about the rivers they have been or soon will be paddling. Here at the AW Journal, we’re excited too. Specifically, we’re eager to hear your stories and thoughts about paddling. As we do from time

With support from both KEEN’s Hybrid.Care giving program, the Conservation Alliance and other partners, American Whitewater succeeded in our campaign to have the Dillsboro Dam removed in 2010. It took three more years to implement a flow agreement for water in a class IV headwater segment of the West Fork Tuckasegee. Read about the impacts of dam removal and flow restoration in a recent Gear Junkie article here.

The May/June issue of the AW Journal features “Reopening Yosemite: A Tale of Two Plans”. This issue includes . . . ·        Romaine River Roulette ·        Hardcore Danger ·        Stewardship Updates ·        Reflecting on 50 Years Along the Yough ·        Tandem Canoe Paddling   Current members – Read the issue now!    Not a current member? Join or Renew today!

Another dry year in California has left us with extreme drought conditions and an almost nonexistent paddling season this winter and spring.  Fortunately, paddling opportunities that have been negotiated by American Whitewater were based on information drawn from years of previous hydrographs and water years like the last drought of 1976-1977.  After working with the licensee to insure enough water for downstream consumptive requirements and protection of ecological resources, California will have 27 days of recreational releases on the Pit,

Last week Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz announced that the U.S. has the potential to add more than 65.5 GW of new hydropower to the nation's energy portfolio by 2030. Meeting this goal would require damming over 3 million river and stream reaches across the country, including treasured rivers like the Penobscot River in Maine, the Tuckaseegee River in North Carolina, and the Smith River in California. Moniz's comments came as the Energy Department released a report entitled New Stream-reach Development: A Comprehensive Assessment

Vendor registration for the largest whitewater festival in the world, Gauley Fest, is now open! Make sure to register before prices automatically increase 15% on Sept. 1st. If you have any questions, please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions. If you don't see your question answered there, feel free to contact us at bookkeeper@americanwhitewater.org or 828-586-1930. See you there!

As paddling season kicks into high gear, we hope that you'll consider making a contribution to American Whitewater on Tuesday May 6th–The Seattle Foundation's GiveBIG day.     When you donate to American Whitewater through GiveBIG on May 6th your donation will go further! It's a great way for everyone to strengthen their support. Several lucky donors will win a "Golden Ticket," which will automatically increase their donation by $1,000, no matter the size of the donation!    The goal of The Seattle

Join the American Whitewater Board of Directors and staff for a boater happy hour on Saturday, May 17th from 5:00-7:00 pm. That evening, American Whitewater's Directors and our North Carolina based staff will be gathering at Nantahala Outdoor Center's Kleinrath Hall to meet our friends and supporters from around the area to discuss American Whitewater's river stewardship program supported by your favorite beverage.   “¨Learn what's on tap for river stewardship projects in your backyard and celebrate releases on the

On April 14, 2014 the Forest Supervisor for Stanislaus National Forest issued Rim Fire Closure Order 2014-01 that reopens boating access to the following sections of the Wild & Scenic Tuolumne River as outlined below: Cherry Creek to Meral's Pool – Access to the Upper Tuolumne/Cherry Creek launch at Holm Powerhouse off Cherry Lake Road by permitted shuttle service only (see shuttle information below). Meral's Pool to Wards Ferry Bridge – Access to Meral's Pool Boat Launch via Lumsden Road (1N10)

The first Saturday release on Maryland's busy Upper Youghiogheny River is on May 3, the same weekend as the nearby Cheat River Festival. Depending on water levels this could be a very busy day on the river. Since the takeout town of Friendsville, Maryland doubles its population on busy release weekends paddlers need to do all they can to minimize their impact. Please park respectfully on Maple Avenue and don't block traffic. Don't park along the riverfront (Morris Avenue or

Dates for the New River Dries Paddling Flow Study have been confirmed for May 6 and 7, 2014.   Volunteer paddlers with suitable (Class IV) skills are encouraged to participate in the study, and to RSVP.  The best way to be notified if the study dates are delayed is to RSVP, and we will also update this article.  The recreational flow study is one of several studies being conducted to inform the re-licensing of the Hawks Nest Dam, which largely

American Whitewater congratulates Friends of the Cheat as it celebrates its 20th anniversary at the annual Cheat River Festival on May 3rd. The organization, founded by a group of whitewater paddlers and local residents, has been a driving force in the river’s rapidly improving water quality. The river, which was badly polluted when the group was founded, recently passed a significant milestone: the lower 26 miles of the Cheat River main were removed from the state’s list of acid-impaired waters in 2012! In addition, FOC maintains four

Does it make sense to develop oil and gas fields along Desolation Canyon of the Green River, or is there somewhere that it makes better sense?  If a project goes forward how can impacts best be minimized and offset by conservation measures elsewhere?  You would think that the government would have had good answers for these questions for decades but you would be wrong.  Until now.  Earlier today Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell released a new strategy for striking

American Whitewater is excited to attend the 2nd Annual Long Creek Music Festival in Long Creek, SC this May 23rd -25th, 2014. Tickets are available for now for one to three days.    This is the second year with an expanded band lineup.  Camping, food, vendors, music and fun await.  The site is at the Chattooga River Resort and Campground located on the Section IV shuttle on Orchard Road.    AW will have the tent set up to talk with

In March, the Western Federal Lands Highway Division awarded a construction contract to Active Construction Inc. of Tacoma, WA to pave 9.7 miles of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road beginning at the eastern intersection with Lake Dorothy Road and extending to the Middle Fork Campground. Construction will begin later this spring and continue through August 2016. Discussions about this project have been underway for many years, and it's finally getting started. The contractor will be able to close the