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Image for New American Whitewater Apparel Available

New American Whitewater Apparel Available

We've got some great new American Whitewater apparel items added to our online store: Hats Visors Waterdrop Shirt Wave Shirt Women's Ribbon Shirt You can get some great gear and help us save rivers at the same time. This is because the money we raise via product sales goes right back into saving rivers! What's more, current American Whitewater members receive a 10% discount when ordering from our online store (see our FAQ entry on how to get this discount).

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Image for Gauley Fest Needs Volunteers!

Gauley Fest Needs Volunteers!

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

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Image for AW Intervenes in Mongaup License Amendment Proceeding

AW Intervenes in Mongaup License Amendment Proceeding

American Whitewater and the Kayak and Canoe Club of New York filed a motion to intervene in a proceeding with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on July 24 to protect our interests as a utility tries to increase its power output on a dam on the Mongaup River in New York. The Eagle Creek Companies plan to put in an 800-kilowatt turbine 300 feet downstream of the Rio Dam above a Class II-III stretch of whitewater on the Mongaup. The

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Image for American Whitewater Opposes Hydropower Development on North Fork Snoqualmie (WA)

American Whitewater Opposes Hydropower Development on North Fork Snoqualmie (WA)

American Whitewater joined Alpine Lakes Protection Society, American Rivers, North Cascades Conservation Council, The Mountaineers, and Washington Wild in filing joint comments opposed to the development of a hydropower project on the North Fork Snoqualmie that would dewater Ernie's Gorge.   American Whitewater is opposed to the Project due to the impacts that would result from damming and dewatering one of the region’s most treasured free-flowing rivers. American Whitewater recognize that hydropower is an important source of energy and have

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Image for AW Presents: Bailey Fest 2012!

AW Presents: Bailey Fest 2012!

Let the countdown begin! T-minus 26 days and counting 'till Bailey Fest 2012! Dates are August 10-12, 2012. Information can be found here: Bailey Fest | Whitewater Kayak Festival | NF South Platte River | Denver, Colorado including camping info, dates, maps, photos, etc. After one of the worst drought years in Colorado, Bailey Fest has what you need… WATER in the river!  Good boating flows are provided thanks to Denver Water moving water from Lake Dillon into the North

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Image for State’s Decision to Dewater Waterfalls Draws Criticism

State’s Decision to Dewater Waterfalls Draws Criticism

  State Agency Certification Supports Dewatering Similkameen Falls   Oroville – Today public interest organizations criticized the Washington State Department of Ecology for certifying that a proposed hydropower project would meet state water quality standards, when the project would instead effectively dewater a historic waterfall on the Similkameen River in Okanogan County.  The state agency’s decision, known as a “401 Certification” under the federal Clean Water Act, will move forward a proposal by Okanogan PUD to reactivate Enloe Dam for

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Image for Federal Decision Could Change West River (VT) Release Discussions

Federal Decision Could Change West River (VT) Release Discussions

  A decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to abandon efforts to restore Atlantic salmon to the Connecticut River basin could change the game for whitewater releases on the West River in Vermont. This week, the federal agency opted to stop the 45-year-old program because it was not producing enough results to justify the costs. In 2010, Fish and Wildlife stocked around 6 million tiny fry and 75,000-90,000 larger salmon smolts throughout the Connecticut River estuary at a

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Image for AW Joins Effort to Protect Punch Bowl Falls (OR)

AW Joins Effort to Protect Punch Bowl Falls (OR)

The Hood River is the go-to river for whitewater lovers in Oregon and Washington's Columbia Gorge, and the area around Punch Bowl Falls is an important access point.  Located in a stunning canyon near the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Hood River, Punch Bowl Falls also provides a sanctuary for salmon and access for swimming, and the area has great potential for camping. Above the Falls, the West Fork of the Hood provides an opportunity for

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Image for Skykomish River Access Updates

Skykomish River Access Updates

Planning is underway for two access issues on the Skykomish River: environmental review is in progress for restoration of the Index-Galena Road along the North Fork of the Skykomish River and a public comment period is open for a formalized access point at Cable Drop on the South Fork Skykomish. North Fork Skykomish River Access and Relocation of the Index-Galena Road   On the North Fork of the Skykomish River the road remains washed out between mile 6.4 and 6.9,

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Image for AW Calls for Public Hearing - River Access & Bridges in CA

AW Calls for Public Hearing – River Access & Bridges in CA

The most common way to access a river is where a public road crosses it. Paddlers often find themselves squeezing down the narrow easement that typically exists between a bridge and private land. It turns out that in California, the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is required to fully consider and report on whether it is feasible to provide public river access when they build a new state highway bridge over a river (see California Streets and Highways Code section 84.5;

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Image for Middle Fork Salmon Protection Grows Thanks to Federal Funding

Middle Fork Salmon Protection Grows Thanks to Federal Funding

The Trust for Public Land last week announced the purchase of a critical 80-acre private property in the heart of the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho. This land will be added to the Frank Church and made available for all to enjoy as unspoiled wilderness. The Trust for Public Land worked with the landowners and the U.S. Forest Service to protect a portion of the Morgan Ranch, a private homestead dating

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Image for July/August Issue of the AW Journal Online Now!

July/August Issue of the AW Journal Online Now!

The July/August issue of the AW Journal includes American Whitewater’s 2011 Annual Report . Our index now provides direct links to each article. this issue includes. . . Mission Unaccomplished From Dreams to Reality Solo Boating: Cataract Canyon A Selway Story Adventures on the Little River Teaching without Speaking . . .plus 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

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Image for Volunteer of the Month - Presented by Kokatat

Volunteer of the Month – Presented by Kokatat

American Whitewater is pleased to announce Chris Cardoni as our July 2012 Volunteer of the Month! Chris has been a rockstar volunteer at AW's Deerfield Fest for the past several years. Most recently he's run the Silient Auction for us for the whole day and evening. Moreover, Chris shows up each Sunday morning after the fest to help us clean up the field, the mark of a dedicated volunteer! Add this to his fun and friendly demeanor the whole time and

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Image for 2011 AW Annual Report Available

2011 AW Annual Report Available

  Each summer, American Whitewater takes a look back at the previous year and distills the organization's projects, supporters and financial information – plus much more – into one document, our Annual Report. The 2011 American Whitewater Annual Report is now available for your review.   A couple high points from the report: 1) In 2011, American Whitewater focused on adding capacity to our highly effective river stewardship program by hiring additional staff to support critical projects in Colorado and

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Image for Local Experts Predict Upper Yough Releases

Local Experts Predict Upper Yough Releases

Although the drought eliminated the regular Friday and Monday whitewater releases on the Upper Yough, locals know that shorter releases are being made regularly to protect the river's trout fishery. These "fish releases" are almost as good as the regular whitewater releases!  To help out-of-town paddlers make plans, thirty-year Upper Yough outfitter Roger Zbel and Friendsville Town Councilman Jess Whittemore will predict the probability of "fish releases" on Thursday for the coming Friday and others in the future. UPPER YOUGH UPDATE: Deep Creek

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Image for Upper Yough Race Scheduled for July 28th

Upper Yough Race Scheduled for July 28th

This year's Upper Yough Race is scheduled for July 28th. Weather and water permitting there will be an extra-long release that day. Registration will be from 9-12 Noon  at the Wilderness Voyageurs store in town on the day of the race. Cost is $30.  the Dam release runs from 10am – 4pm, and the race start time has changed from 5pm to 4pm PM at Gap Falls. This is the same weekend as Friendsville Days! Stay around for great music and food

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Image for Success on the Yuba!

Success on the Yuba!

Last week Pacific Gas & Electric and the Nevada Irrigation Cistrict both filed amended license applications for the Yuba/Bear and Drum Spaulding Hydroelectric Projects. These revised license applications represent significant agreements on flows for the Middle Fork Yuba, South Fork Yuba, Canyon Creek, Fordyce Creek, the Bear River, and a myriad of small streams throughout the Yuba/Bear watershed. This agreement most certainly did not happen overnight. American Whitewater has spent six years putting in thousands of hours and going to

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Drought Cancels Upper Yough Monday & Friday Releases

Western Maryland has experienced a long period of unusually dry weather, and today the Deep Creek Lake level dropped  .5" below the "Lower Rule Band". To comply with the agreement negotiated between lake, fishing, and paddling users all Friday and Monday Upper Yough whitewater releases have been cancelled.. Brookfield Power, the dam owner, believes that it will take a very significant rain event (2"+) to bring lake levels back up so that these releases can resume.. Saturday releases are still

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Image for House Passes Bill to Flood Wild and Scenic Merced

House Passes Bill to Flood Wild and Scenic Merced

On Tuesday, the House passed HR 2578, a package of 14 bills that included a proposal to roll back the boundary of the Wild and Scenic Merced River and allow the Merced Irrigation District to raise the elevation of McClure Reservoir. The reach that is proposed to be inundated provides outstanding recreation opportunities – from whitewater boating to biking, hiking and camping. The area also is home to the state protected limestone salamander.   Thanks to everyone who contacted their

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Image for Legislation to Protect Olympic Peninsula's Ancient Forests and Wild Rivers

Legislation to Protect Olympic Peninsula’s Ancient Forests and Wild Rivers

  QUILCENE, Wash. (June 21, 2012) The Wild Olympics Campaign, of which American Whitewater is a member, today cheered the introduction of the Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (H.R. 5995 and S. 3329) by Congressman Norm Dicks and Senator Patty Murray to permanently protect more than 126,500 acres of Olympic National Forest wilderness and 19 rivers and their major tributaries (a total of 464 river miles) as Wild and Scenic Rivers. If enacted, the legislation would

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Image for Ohiopyle Falls Guidelines for 2012

Ohiopyle Falls Guidelines for 2012

  American Whitewater requested that Ohiopyle Falls Access Guidelines be updated for the current year. We are also waiting for a response to our request to increase the Falls season through the autumn Launch Booth closure date of Sunday October 7, 2012. What follows are the Park guidelines for this year, 2012.     Private Boater Ohiopyle Falls Access Guidelines 1.     Prior to launching for each falls run, all boaters must register at the Lower Youghiogheny Launch Booth on SR 381.  A

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Image for ACTION ALERT: Merced Wild and Scenic Rollback Vote Next Week

ACTION ALERT: Merced Wild and Scenic Rollback Vote Next Week

Congressional efforts to turn part of the Wild and Scenic Merced River into a reservoir are heating up, and American Whitewater needs your continued help in standing up for the Merced and all Wild and Scenic Rivers.    On June 12, the House introduced the “Conservation and Economic Growth Act”. The bill includes HR 2578, which proposes to roll back the boundary of the Wild and Scenic Merced River to allow Merced Irrigation District to raise New Exchequer Dam and

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Image for Adam Cramer Appointed to Advise on Forest Planning

Adam Cramer Appointed to Advise on Forest Planning

Earlier this month, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack named the members of an advisory committee charged with providing guidance and recommendations on the implementation of the new U.S. Forest Service Planning Rule.  Among the appointed members is Adam Cramer, Outdoor Alliance Policy Architect and American Whitewater Board Member.  Adam will represent dispersed recreationists on this important committee.  "Members of this federal advisory committee will give unique perspectives on land management issues under the new planning rule, which provides stronger protections for

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Image for With New Hire, AW Turns the Volume Up to 11

With New Hire, AW Turns the Volume Up to 11

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the hiring of Alan Panebaker as our new Northeast Stewardship Director.  In this position Alan will oversee American Whitewater’s regional stewardship projects including playing various roles in dam releases, state and federal policy affecting rivers, public land management, and community recreation planning. Alan comes to American Whitewater with a Juris Doctor (JD) and a Masters in Environmental Law and Policy from the Vermont Law School, as well as a B.A in Journalism from the

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