Articles - American Whitewater

Hurricane Helene Update and Resources

October 3, 2024

Although we are devastated and overwhelmed by the magnitude of the destruction of Hurricane Helene, we are inspired by the resourceful heroes in our communities that are digging-in and finding multitudes of ways to help—scores of folks, many of whom are boaters, are leading the charge in recovery efforts. Our network is uniquely equipped as helpers, and we are grateful. Many people have reached out to ask us how they can help and where to direct funds. There are a

New Public Safety Conditions for PG&E’s Kerckhoff Hydroelectric Project (CA)

October 3, 2024

[Fresno,Calif., Oct. 3, 2024] – State and federal agencies have mandated new safety and environmental conditions for Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s Kerckhoff Hydroelectric Project on the San Joaquin River as part of the federal hydropower relicensing process overseen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The measures imposed by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife are designed to improve public safety and

Hurricane Helene Wreaks Havoc on River Community Including American Whitewater

September 30, 2024

Massive flooding, landslides, and wind damage related to Hurricane Helene has put western North Carolina, southeast Tennessee and other parts of the region in crisis, and many in our river loving community, including members of the American Whitewater staff and board have been severely affected. Infrastructure including modes of communication and roads critical to deliveries of essential goods have been destroyed and it may be some time before anything resembling normal business returns to the area. This includes American Whitewater

Fall 2024 Update on California Whitewater Boating Releases

September 16, 2024

We have some exciting fall releases and boating information to share! Fall is the driest time of year in California and has the fewest boating opportunities, but American Whitewater has worked to secure releases to help keep you on the water. Plus, our annual Feather River Festival is also coming up with great boating and camaraderie and we could use some more volunteers to help make it a success! NF Feather – Poe + Bardees Bar (Class V, Class III/IV)

Georgia Committee Meeting on the Right to Paddle this Friday

September 16, 2024

A special state House study committee tasked with determining the public’s rights to paddle on Georgia’s streams will hear from the public for the first time in a meeting scheduled for Sept. 20 at Unicoi State Park. The meeting could result in recommendations to dramatically curtail the public’s right to paddle rivers in Georgia. Friday’s meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the lodge at Unicoi State Park, near Helen, GA. Following a presentation by the Department of Natural Resources,

American Whitewater Gives Voice to Recreation in Grand Canyon

September 12, 2024

Grand Canyon, Arizona In August, American Whitewater staff traveled to the south rim of the Grand Canyon to meet with agency leaders and nonprofit partners about the future of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon. We advocated for: A more comprehensive approach to reservoir management that considers impacts to the entire basin For higher minimum flows in the grand canyon For river recreation to be fully and holistically considered as part of management, and considered when examining the impacts

We Want to Hear From YOU in our Community Survey

September 12, 2024

Calling All River Lovers! We want to hear from YOU! Whether you’re a member of American Whitewater or not, your voice matters. Take our quick survey and help shape the future of American Whitewater. Why Take the Survey?WIN an Immersion Research Drysuit of choice!Second & third place winners score some sweet American Whitewater gear and apparel.Help us serve you and our community better! Your input counts! This survey isn’t just for members. If you’re passionate about whitewater rivers, we want

Iron Gate Cofferdam Breached, Klamath River Freed

September 12, 2024

On August 28th, Tribal members gathered alongside government officials and nonprofit partners to cheer as the final cofferdam was breached at Iron Gate reservoir, freeing the Klamath River from Lake Ewauna to the Pacific Ocean. After over two decades of Tribal advocacy, an agreement was reached to remove four hydroelectric dams, Iron Gate, Copco 1 and 2, and JC Boyle, re-opening over 400 miles of the river and tributaries to the legendary salmon runs that have been stifled by these

National Park Service Shares 2024 Gauley Season Details (WV)

August 23, 2024

American Whitewater received the following open letter to boaters from the great rangers and staff of the Gauley River National Recreation Area, and contains some new information. This letter will keep you up to date on important management actions of the National Park Service on the Gauley River for the 2024 season. In addition, as part of our agreement with the land owner, there is no camping allowed on the Legg field that American Whitewater leases for overflow parking. As

Watauga River (NC) Reopened to Boating, at Least Temporarily

August 8, 2024

American Whitewater Granted Intervention in Contested Case; Watauga River (NC) Reopened to Boating, at least Temporarily. On July 12, American Whitewater was granted status as an intervenor in a contested case pending in North Carolina challenging the rights of the public to recreate on short sections of the Boone Fork and Watauga Rivers upstream of their confluence. In addition, on August 1, the existing temporary restraining order was modified to include the following language: “This Order is not intended to, and

North Fork Kern (CA) Kern River #3 Relicensing Comparative Flow Study

August 8, 2024

Southern California Edison is currently in the process of relicensing their Kern River #3 (KR3) hydroelectric project with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). In support of that effort they have been conducting a Whitewater Boating Study for the last two paddling seasons. We’re amplifying SCE’s request for participation in their Flow Comparison Study for flows on the North Fork Kern below Fairview Dam. This survey will have you rank your flow preferences for each section within the project-affected reach

Restoring Flows in Colorado

August 7, 2024

American Whitewater has been advocating for healthy rivers and flows for recreation as an integral pillar of Colorado’s Water Plan since it was directed by an Executive Order in 2013 by then Governor Hickenlooper. Our flow study approach was later included in the plan’s nonconsumptive needs toolbox and, as recently as last year, our collaboration with river based businesses and conservation organizations made significant changes to the updated water plan. We’ve long identified a need to fully grasp the quantification

American Whitewater Releases Decision Making Tool for Gunnison River (CO)

August 7, 2024

This Spring, American Whitewater released an interactive web tool that analyzes how flows in the lower Gunnison River meet environmental and recreational flow needs. The goal of the tool is to create a better understanding of the relationship between recreational and environmental flow needs in the Gunnison River and to inform reservoir releases when there is flexibility in the system. The lower Gunnison River between the Aspinall Unit (Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal Dams) and Grand Junction is

Thank you for completing our community survey!

August 2, 2024

Your voice is an essential contribution to our work, thank you for helping shape the path ahead. By completing this survey you have been entered into a prize drawing – winners will be drawn and announced this fall. Join or renew your membership!If you would like to become a member, or renew your membership, you can sign up at our online membership form. Give an additional gift to the rivers you love!If you are already a member, please consider making

Local Counties’ Proposal Falls Short at Protecting the Dolores River (CO)

July 29, 2024

American Whitewater, our affiliate clubs, and our members, have been working to protect the Dolores River and its surrounding landscape for over 50 years. The most appropriate tool for the job has been hotly debated – the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness, and National Monuments have all been on the table. Despite the disagreement on the mechanism, communities, elected officials, recreationists, hunters and anglers, and businesses all agree that the Dolores River and its surrounding landscape

Image for Keep Updated on Rivers Affected by Fires with the AW Wildfire Info Map

Keep Updated on Rivers Affected by Fires with the American Whitewater Wildfire Info Map

July 26, 2024

It’s mid-summer and for much of the country that means it’s prime boating and river season. For some areas, particularly the West, it’s also fire season. This means that in addition to checking flows and weather before heading to the river, it’s a good idea to also check for any wildfires, smoke issues, or closures that may impact your plans. We’ve built a map to help you with the fiery aspects of trip planning and safety. The American Whitewater Wildfire Information

– Take Action! Georgia Right to Paddle Imperiled

July 23, 2024

The Georgia General Assembly has embarked on a process that could result in a sweeping loss of the public’s right to paddle rivers in Georgia. Following some legislative back-and-forth, a committee is now formally convening that will address the matter and may choose to issue a list of streams that they consider to be open to public use under civil-war-era state law. American Whitewater feels strongly that the General Assembly should support outdoor recreation through codifying a modern set of

Gore Fest is ON! August 23-25

July 10, 2024

American Whitewater is hosting the festival at Pumphouse Recreation Area in partnership with Whitewater Racing LLC who will be bringing you the beloved race through Gore Canyon. We are grateful for them to host the big race. Please check their website for more race details. American Whitewater will be supporting the festivities and be there for you to join or renew your membership and learn more about our work in the region. Join us starting on Friday August 23rd and

Take action! Ensure Impacts to Dolores River Are Fully Analyzed

July 10, 2024

Flows in the Dolores River below McPhee Dam depend on how its dam and irrigation infrastructure are operated. Since the construction of the dam, boatable flows are only available in years when the reservoir is overflowing. Native fish and a healthy and diverse riparian corridor are dependent on these wildly variable dam releases. Two agreements that direct the operations and water management for McPhee Dam are up for renewal in 2025. Flows have been less consistent over the past 24

Take action to ensure the impacts of McPhee Dam on the Dolores River are fully a

July 10, 2024

Gauley Paddlers Encouraged to Step Up Safety

July 10, 2024

This year we want to encourage boaters to have a great time on the Gauley, but to also keep it classy and keep the safety of your group and others front of mind. Here are some tips, based on conversations with the National Park Service and our own recommendations as fellow paddlers. Every fall the predictable flows, sublime scenery, and powerful rapids of the Gauley bring boaters together from vast distances for something of an annual reunion in a National

113 Miles of River Protections Finalized in Colorado!

July 10, 2024

In June, we welcomed river protections for 22 new river segments across 113 river miles in Colorado’s western slope. American Whitewater has been advocating for durable river protections and smart recreation management on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) since 2016. We are happy to celebrate the end of the GMUG Forest Plan revision process with a number of hard earned wins. The Forest Service, and other federal agencies, are required to inventory all rivers on public

Legislation Seeks Study of Fees and Reservation Systems

July 1, 2024

New legislation being considered in Congress would require a federal inquiry into reservation systems being used by land managers to allocate recreational opportunities on public lands – most prominently recreation.gov. The legislation, called the RESERVE Federal Land Act, which is short for ‘‘Review and Evaluation of Strategies for Equal Reservations for Visitor Experiences Federal Land Act,” seeks answers to some very good questions about transparency, equity, financial benefits, and best practices for allocating recreational use. Boaters are encouraged to use

Contested Case Closes Portion of Watauga River, AW Moves to Intervene (NC)

June 24, 2024

American Whitewater has requested intervention in a contested case pending in the Office of Administrative Hearings challenging the rights of the public to recreate on sections of the Boone Fork and Watauga River, located near Boone, North Carolina. Our intervention is intended to provide the tribunal with factual evidence that the rivers are regularly paddled, legally and physically navigable, and thus open to the public for paddling. Paddlers that have run these sections are encouraged to contact American Whitewater through

Fall River Dam Relicensing Kicks Off (ID)

June 18, 2024

The Fall River is home to a gem of a whitewater run flowing through a low canyon set in agricultural fields in Southeast Idaho, just west of Yellowstone National Park. A hydropower dam that regulates the flows in the whitewater run is up for relicensing starting this summer. The 5-year dam relicensing process will likely result in a new 30-50 year license for the dam in 2029. The new license could include improved instream flows and public access, and American