Articles

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

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

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

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

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

  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

American Whitewater’s Accident Database contains more than 1000 fatal accidents and near misses reported over the last 35 years. We sometimes give qualified water safety researchers access to the accident database. Our latest research partner is Ed Kern, who is working towards a Masters Degree in civil engineering at Brigham Young University in Utah. His research models dam retrofit solutions to improve safety. As part of his work he has created a web site that lists as many known dam-related accidents

American Whitewater is proud to announce our June 2013 Volunteers of the Month: Chris Donochod, Justyn Thompson, Mark Mickey, Matt Kern, and Sid Border! These five fine folks are the team behind French Broad River Fest a music event that celebrates the French Broad River each year in Western North Carolina. More than just an awesome weekend of music, the event has a myriad of outdoor activities like a raft race, mountain biking, a kids parade and much more. Last, and certainly

Only twice each year, American Whitewater appeals for financial support for our river stewardship work. To this end, we've put together the 2013 American Whitewater Summer Appeal (pdf). It details just how our supporter's money is spent and features a national listing of some of our major projects we're currently involved with. We sincerely hope you'll take the time to peruse this document and consider donating or joining/renewing with American Whitewater. Those making donations will be glad to know that

  Earlier this month, the National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service published their draft management plan for 5 newly designated Wild and Scenic rivers in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.  In a misguided 3-page legal argument they dismissed any consideration of allowing paddling on the rivers except where it is currently allowed.   They aim to maintain paddling bans on the following rivers: Upper Snake River: A remote and mellow hike-in pack-rafting river. Lower Lewis River: An

Earlier this month American Whitewater filed comments on the "assessment phase" of the forest planning process for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in Western North Carolina.  At this stage the Forest Service is interested in gathering scientific information sources and getting a feel for topics the public would like addressed through the planning process.   American Whitewater highlighted opportunities for enhancing the great work already done in the region in partnership with hydropower operators.  Specifically, the Cheoah, Tuckasegee, Nantahala, and

On Tuesday, June 11th, California's State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) will hold two public meetings about the proposed permanent cancellation of summer flushing/whitewater flows through the Pit River Canyon on the Pit 1 Hydroelectric Project. Between 2003 and 2009, summer flushing/whitewater flows restored 6 days of whitewater boating opportunities to the Pit River Canyon while improving water quality and curbing aquatic vegetaion and mosquito production. The summer flushing/whitewater flows were placed under a temporary suspension order in 2010 after

Lyons, Colorado – The Oskar Blues Burning Can Beer Fest (www.burningcan.com ) is back (June 1st) for the second year as part of the Lyons Outdoor Games (5/31 to 6/2) to bring you everything craft beer in a CAN offers: fresh, earth-friendly beer in a portable container that takes you to your next soul-saving outdoor adventure.   Oskar Blues Brewery invites all beer lovers to celebrate the REVOLUTION of big-flavored craft beers served up in cans in their hometown of

In late 2012, PG&E directly challenged the authority of California’s water quality agency to protect the beneficial uses of rivers impacted by hydropower projects. PG&E, which owns and operates a significant percentage of the hydropower dams in California, claimed that the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) lacks the authority to implement the Clean Water Act in relationship to required federal hydropower licenses. On Tuesday, May 7, American Whitewater and our partners testified at a hearing before the SWRCB, standing