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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

6th Annual Paddle to the Sea: From Yosemite to San Francisco this May and June! The Tuolumne River Trust’s annual Paddle to the Sea is a six-week long paddle-a-thon on the Tuolumne River from Yosemite, through the Central Valley, to San Francisco Bay. This year’s event will start on Friday, May 2nd with two days of whitewater rafting run by ARTA River Trips, where paddlers are invited to raft through the area hit hardest by the 2013 Rim Fire, as

American Whitewater is proud to announce our April 2014 Volunteer of the Month: Jess Whittemore! Jess Whittemore is a known face in the Upper Yough (MD) paddling community. First chiseling a name and reputation as a squirt boat innovator in the early 80’s and more recently as member of the Friendsville, MD Town Council where he has been representing the interests of the paddling community to local leaders while forging a sense of unity between local residents and boating community.

A healthy, vibrant, participatory and functional Board of Directors is critical to the long term stability and effective governance of American Whitewater. This requires Directors with a passion for our mission and a mix of appropriate skills to help guide AW and meet the challenges we face, both now and in the future.   While we will consider all qualified candidates, we are specifically searching for candidates that represent all parts of the country, have the ability to show up for meetings

Scheduled releases occur the first two weekends in April and the first three weekends in November. On Saturday 500 cfs is released and on Sunday 700 cfs. Boaters are allowed on the water once the level stabilizes, which is about 9:30 am; the water is turned off at 4 pm. All boaters must start down the stairs by 2:45 pm (we are requesting that first timers try put on the river before 1.30pm) to beat the flow down to the lake.

  Scheduled releases occur the first two weekends in April and the first three weekends in November. On Saturday 500 cfs is released and on Sunday 700 cfs. Boaters are allowed on the water once the level stabilizes, which is about 9:30 am; the water is turned off at 4 pm. All boaters must start down the stairs by 2.45 pm to beat the flow down to the lake. You will need to sign a waiver at the top of

The Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corp of Engineers released a proposed rule today that will clarify protections under the Clean Water Act for headwater streams and wetlands. Many of the rivers and streams we recreate on are safe to paddle today because of the Clean Water Act, which regulates pollution discharges. The Clean Water Act protects recreation, the stream environment, riparian property owners, drinking water sources, and significant economic activity from the impacts of unregulated pollution.  Over a decade

Yosemite National Park has announced that they will open opportunities to enjoy the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne by kayak. On Friday, March 14th, Yosemite National Park released their Final Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Final Comprehensive Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, stating that boaters on this reach will be managed under the established overnight wilderness permit system. The run will start at Pothole Dome below Tuolumne Meadows and end at Pate Valley. Exact details about put-in, take-out, portage

On Thursday, March 13th, the House will vote on a bill that would prohibit federal agencies from protecting instream flows on rivers across the country. H.R. 3189, known as the “Water Rights Protection Act,” undermines the authority of agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service to keep water in rivers for fish, wildlife, recreation and aesthetics. Although the bill is being presented as a fix for a narrow water rights

Colorado – The first of its kind State Water Plan is an important step in deciding if Colorado preserves free-flowing rivers, fish and wildlife, and strong tourism and recreation economies. AW and our partners have proposed common-sense conservation actions to be included in the Plan. You can help support this effort by submitting comments to the State, and help shape a positive course for river health. Background Last year, Governor Hickenlooper directed the state to draft the Colorado Water Plan.

American Whitewater is excited to attend the 17th Annual French Broad River Fest in Hot Springs, NC this May 2-4, 2014. Pick up your tickets today and come join us! French Broad River Fest (FBRF) is a fun, family friendly outdoor festival that has been a supporter of American Whitewater for nearly two decades! Each year the festival features a host of awesome musical acts, art, food, vendors – even a raft race(!) – right alongside the beautiful French Broad River.