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Image for Boater Affirms Navigability on Tuolumne (CA)

Boater Affirms Navigability on Tuolumne (CA)

The La Grange Dam on California's Tuolumne River has provided hydropower since 1924, and has operated without a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the entire time. In late 2012, FERC ordered dam owners and operators Turlock and Modesto Irrigation Districts to get a license, which are required for non-federal hydropower projects located on navigable rivers. The Districts challenged FERC's order with a number of claims, including that the Tuolumne River was not navigable. On Friday, July 19,

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Image for West Fork Tuck (NC) Release Info and Schedule

West Fork Tuck (NC) Release Info and Schedule

In a normal year, flow in the West Fork of the Tuckasegee is totally controlled by Duke Energy's Thorpe Dam.  2013 was not a normal year.  Prolonged powerhouse maintenance coupled with massive quantities of rain resulted in high flows barrelling through the normally de-watered river.  Most recently, the stream experienced an estimated 2,600 cfs over the fourth of July weekend, prompting the cancellation of a recreation flow release planned for July 6th. The next scheduled release is this weekend, July

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Image for Agency Asks for Green River Management Input (NC)

Agency Asks for Green River Management Input (NC)

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is hosting a public meeting to discuss a new management plan for the Green River Gamelands on the evening of August 1, 2013.  The new plan will inform how the area is protected and managed for at least the next decade.  The meeting announcement specifically welcomes kayakers and other recreationists to attend the meeting and offer their opinions.   At the heart of the 10,000 acre Green River Gamelands is the Green River itself:

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Image for AW Files Comments on CT River Study Plans

AW Files Comments on CT River Study Plans

AW has filed comments with FERC in response to proposed study plans for the Connecticut River filed by FirstLight and TransCanada. Based on testimony and comments filed by AW, New England FLOW, AMC and other groups, FERC directed FirstLight and TransCanada to study the potential for whitewater boating at Turners Falls, Bellows Falls, and Sumner Falls along the Connecticut River. AW recently filed comments asking FERC to address certain deficiencies in the proposed studies so that the licensees can more

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Image for Special Parking Information for Friendsville Days: Saturday July 27, 2013

Special Parking Information for Friendsville Days: Saturday July 27, 2013

 Click here to register in advance or call Wilderness Voyageurs at 800-272-4141 Race Check in & Day of Registration: 9 AM – 12 PM at Wilderness Voyageurs in Friendsville, MD. You will be able to register the day of the race at Wilderness Voyageurs in Friendsville from 9am until noon. However, registering prior to the check in will help expedite the process. Entry Fee: $30 Race classes: All boats welcome! Race classes will be determined by the number of entrants

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Image for AW Comments on Proposed Sunset Falls Hydro Project (WA)

AW Comments on Proposed Sunset Falls Hydro Project (WA)

Earlier today, American Whitewater was joined by the Alpine Lakes Protection Society, American Rivers, Conservation Northwest, North Cascades Conservation Council, Sierra Club – Washington State Chapter, The Mountaineers, Washington Wild and Wild Washington Rivers in filing comments on the Snohomish PUD No. 1's proposal to build a hydroelectric project at Sunset Falls on the South Fork Skykomish River in Washington. If built, the project would significantly reduce flows in the Skykomish River, carrying numerous impacts to fish and wildlife habitat,

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Image for Henniker Town Selectmen Vote to Accept Took Land Donation from AW

Henniker Town Selectmen Vote to Accept Took Land Donation from AW

The Town of Henniker Board of Selectmen voted to accept the donation of a 10-acre parcel of land on the Contoocook River in New Hampshire.  The parcel, which is used by paddlers to access the Class III/IV section of the river, is being purchased by AW in order to permanently protect access to this section of the river.  AW plans to create a conservation easement, and then donate the property to the town.  At last night's meeting, AW, Merrimack Valley

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Image for Dam Proposed For South Fork Skykomish Would Be An Economic Loser

Dam Proposed For South Fork Skykomish Would Be An Economic Loser

A new economic study of the controversial Sunset Falls Dam on Washington’s South Fork of the Skykomish River, reveals the power generated at the proposed site would cost 2.3 times more than the Snohomish County Public Utility District (SnoPUD) estimates.  Rocky Mountain Econometrics (RME), an economic, business and energy consulting firm in Boise, Idaho, evaluated the proposed dam using SnoPUD’s own data and, contrary to SnoPUD claims, concludes that the proposed dam:   • Would not be price competitive with

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Image for Volunteer Of The Month - Presented By Kokatat

Volunteer Of The Month – Presented By Kokatat

American Whitewater is proud to announce our July 2013 Volunteer of the Month: David Hill   David has represented paddlers interests and driven the City of Cuyahoga Falls effort to decommission two dams located in the Upper Gorge of the Cuyahoga River (OH). Removing these two dams will continue the restoration efforts of the Cuyahoga River. These dams are located such that they create a significant safety hazard to paddlers wishing to enjoy the Class III-IV whitewater that exists in

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Image for West Fork Tuckasegee (NC) Releases Cancelled For July 6th

West Fork Tuckasegee (NC) Releases Cancelled For July 6th

Due to significant rainfall in the past week, American Whitewater received notification that the West Fork Tuckasegee (NC) releases will be cancelled for July 6th. See the following notice posted by Duke Energy to their lake levels page. Duke Energy Update: 7/5/2013 12:35:57 PM Duke Energy is cancelling the planned recreation release for the bypass section of the Tuckasegee River scheduled for July 6, 2013 becasue of high flow conditions. It will be rescheduled for a future date this summer. The next

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Image for July/August Issue of AW Journal Available in Library

July/August Issue of AW Journal Available in Library

The July/August issue of the AW Journal features our "2012 Annual Report". This issue includes. . . Missisquoi Releases Return Virginia Stream Access Reform Continues West Fork Tuck Roars Back to Life The Grand Canyon of the Amazon: Rio Maranon and much more. . . Want to read the AW Journal online: You need a current membership and you must be registered with the AW website and have your membership associated with your website user account. Current members – Read

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Image for Upper Yough July 4th Update

Upper Yough July 4th Update

The town of Friendsville will welcome paddlers to Maryland’s Upper Yough this forth of July Weekend. If water levels cooperate this will be a busy day on the river. For Friendsville, MD (population 491) the influx of hundreds of whitewater paddlers is not without problems. Plan to minimize your impact on the town by driving safely, being discrete while changing clothes, and by being careful when carrying boats along busy Maple Avenue. Remember that the town requests that paddlers not

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Image for Wild and Scenic Illinois River Protected From Mining  For Another 20 Years (OR)

Wild and Scenic Illinois River Protected From Mining For Another 20 Years (OR)

  On June 27th, the Interior Department approved a 20-year extension for a mineral withdrawal along 14 miles of Oregon’s National Wild and Scenic Illinois River. The measure will protect one of the most popular stretches of river in the state from mining. The existing withdrawal expired on Sunday, June 30th.   Absent reform of the 1872 Mining Law, mineral withdrawals are essential to protect the public’s interest in their National Forest from mining. Under current policy, the Forest Service

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Image for LAST CALL - Your Input Needed on Flows in Canyonlands National Park - UT

LAST CALL – Your Input Needed on Flows in Canyonlands National Park – UT

Moab, UT – American Whitewater has launched a short survey of river flows in Utah's Canyonlands National Park, designed to help paddler's report flows that provide a range of recreational opportunities on the Colorado and Green Rivers. The Study is being conducted in coodination with the National Parks Conservation Association, to help fill gaps in our regional assesment of flows and recreation quality in the seven-state Colorado River basin. The Canyonland National Park Flow-Survey is a short 4-page questionaire, designed

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Image for AW Comments on Proposal to Eliminate Summer Flows at Pit 1 (CA)

AW Comments on Proposal to Eliminate Summer Flows at Pit 1 (CA)

American Whitewater continues to weigh in on PG&E's efforts to permanently cancel the summer flushing/whitewater flows on the Pit River at the Pit 1 Hydroelectric Project in Northern California. Currently, the proposal is undergoing review by the State Water Resources Control Board ("SWRCB") under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). American Whitewater's comments, which were submitted on Monday, June 24th, can be viewed here. American Whitewater also attended a public meeting on June 11th in Redding to testify to the

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Image for AW asks Yellowstone and Grand Teton to Consider Paddling

AW asks Yellowstone and Grand Teton to Consider Paddling

Earlier today, American Whitewater submitted comments on the Draft Comprehensive River Management Plan for the Wild and Scenic Rivers designated under the Craig Thomas Snake River Headwaters Act.  The Park Service and US Fish and Wildife Service refused to even consider allowing visitors to float the new wild and scenic rivers in the draft plan, except on the two reaches where paddling was previously allowed.   Paddling was banned in Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks in 1950 to prevent overfishing.

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Image for Action Alert: Take the Gunnison River Flow Survey, win KEEN shoes

Action Alert: Take the Gunnison River Flow Survey, win KEEN shoes

In late 2012, AW launched a new program to protect flows and access on river and stream segments throughout Colorado's Gunnison River Basin. These include iconic runs like Oh-Be-Joyful, the Gunnison Gorge, the Black Canyon, the Uncompahgre River and Escalante-Dominguez Canyons. Now, we need a few minutes of your time to help make this effort a success! We are writing today to ask you to complete the 2013 Gunnison River Basin Survey. Please complete the Survey! It will take 15 minutes or

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Image for Last Call For Nominations to the AW Board of Directors

Last Call For Nominations to the AW Board of Directors

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

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Attention Stone Valley Paddlers and Spectators

Attention Stone Valley Paddlers and Spectators If you are going to be boating on the Stone Valley section of the Raquette River or watching the whitewater paddlers during the upcoming releases, we’d like you to consider a few small requests:   In order to minimize impact on the ecosystem in the river corridor, please stay on existing trails whenever possible, and when scouting from river level, please do your best to stay on granite surfaces. To maintain a positive relationship

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Image for Proposed Dam on Boundary Creek Defeated! (ID)

Proposed Dam on Boundary Creek Defeated! (ID)

Earlier today the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) cancelled the permit that  had granted a limited liability corporation exclusive rights to study and pursue de-watering Boundary Creek, located in Northern Idaho.  The proposed hydropower project would have severely impacted over 6 miles of the pristine and biologically vital stream in the wild Selkirk Mountains.   The permit was originally granted in May of 2010, amidst a hailstorm of comments voicing concerns over impacts to recreation, endangered fish and wildlife, and

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Image for Two Wild and Scenic River Bills Pass the Senate (WA)

Two Wild and Scenic River Bills Pass the Senate (WA)

Earlier today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray announced that legislation to expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and federally designate both the Pratt and stretches of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as Wild and Scenic has passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent. Senate Bill 112, The Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act, was introduced by Senator Murray and cosponsored by Senator Cantwell (D-WA). It would expand the existing wilderness area by more than 22,000 acres

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Image for Flow Updates: Taylor, Black Canyon, Gunnison Gorge

Flow Updates: Taylor, Black Canyon, Gunnison Gorge

June 19, 2013: Taylor, Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge Flow Updates The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) recently circulated updated information on dam releases that will affect regional whitewater runs, paddling opportunities and environmental flows. On Thursday, June 20th, releases from Crystal Dam will increase by 200 cfs. This will bring flows in the Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge to 500 cfs. BOR anticipates that ‘an additional increase will likely take place next Wednesday the 26th’. Paddlers should also be aware that the Black

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Image for AW, MVP Protect Land and Access on the Contoocook River (NH)

AW, MVP Protect Land and Access on the Contoocook River (NH)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  WHITEWATER GROUPS PROTECT LAND AND ACCESS ON THE CONTOOCOOK RIVER (NH) American Whitewater and Merrimack Valley Paddlers have reached an agreement to purchase a 10-acre parcel fronting on Contoocook River in Henniker, NH. The land serves as an important launch point for whitewater paddlers enjoying the popular section of the river that runs from Hillsborough to Henniker. This section of the Contoocook River contains rapids ranging in difficulty from Class II to Class IV. The two groups

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Image for American Whitewater 2012 Annual Report

American Whitewater 2012 Annual Report

American Whitewater has released our 2012 Annual Report, it can be downloaded by clicking here. A couple interesting points from that report are: 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

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Image for Speak up for Idaho's wildest rivers

Speak up for Idaho’s wildest rivers

  The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest is currently updating their forest management plan. The plan governs land use, resource protection, recreational use, and recommends areas for potential wilderness or wild and scenic river designation.  These Forests contain the Selway and Lochsa Rivers, Lolo Creek, Meadow Creek, and many other classic whitewater runs.  For the past few months, AW has been sharing our input and concerns with the U.S. Forest Service.  We offered them detailed comments focused on river conservation and

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