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Image for 2011 Holiday Membership Deal

2011 Holiday Membership Deal

Save rivers, get cool stuff! For 2011, we have a great Holiday Membership offer: for just $45 you get a regular one year membership with American Whitewater and a limited edition t-shirt celebrating the removal of Condit Dam. We were so excited about the (explosive!) removal of Condit Dam, we had a special shirt made up to commemorate the event. A high-res image of the of the shirt, is available. It shows a paddler and fish busting through the remains

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Image for Report Highlights Bear River Restoration (ID)

Report Highlights Bear River Restoration (ID)

The recently finalized report on a pulse flow program on the Black Canyon of the Bear River, located in Southeastern Idaho highlights the role that new water releases are playing in the restoration of the river reach. The report compared three years of baseline data collected before the water releases began, with data collected during three subsequent years during which the water releases occured. The report covers stream channel habitat, fisheries, and aquatic insects. The water releases are late spring

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Image for Little Potlatch Dam Permit Withdrawn

Little Potlatch Dam Permit Withdrawn

Earlier today the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission accepted the surrender of a preliminary permit that could have led to a new hydropower project on Idaho’s Little Potlatch Creek.  Brookfield Power held the preliminary permit for nearly two years, during which they studied the potential of the site and held exclusive development rights. Brookfield did not note the reason for surrendering the permit The proposed pump-storage project would have included a dam exceeding 200 feet tall on Little Potlatch Creek, flooding

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Image for Help Shape the Future of the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam

Help Shape the Future of the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam

Comment Period Open for Glen Canyon Dam Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan The Bureau of Reclamation and National Park Service are gearing up to do some long-term planning for the operation of Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River and they are seeking your input. The operation of the Dam is directly linked to the health of the Colorado River as it flows through the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park. Through developing a Long-Term Experimental

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Image for ACTION ALERT: House to Vote on Wild and Scenic Roll Back

ACTION ALERT: House to Vote on Wild and Scenic Roll Back

Legislation to roll back protections under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act will soon go to the House Floor for a vote. HR 2578 proposes to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to drown part of California’s Merced Wild and Scenic River to allow for the expansion of Lake McClure behind the New Exchequer Dam. If passed, this will be the first time that a Wild and Scenic designation has been eroded to make room for development.   Many

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<p><strong>Comment Period Open for Glen Canyon Dam Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan</strong></p> <p>The Bureau of Reclamation and National Park Service are gearing up to do some long-term planning for the operation of Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River and they are seeking your input. The operation of the Dam is directly linked to the health of the Colorado River as it flows through the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park. Through developing a Long-Term Experimental

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Image for Advertising in the American Whitewater Journal

Advertising in the American Whitewater Journal

After more than 50 years of continuous publication, the American Whitewater Journal is the longest running paddlesports publication in the world. We’d like to invite everyone reading this to be a part of the future of the Journal by checking out our 2012 Media Kit. In our Media Kit you’ll find all the information you’ll need to advertise in the American Whitewater Journal. Sizing, pricing, deadlines and more. Advertising in the American Whitewater Journal not only helps you reach your customers but it

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Image for Help Shape the Future of the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam

Help Shape the Future of the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam

Comment Period Open for Glen Canyon Dam Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan The Bureau of Reclamation and National Park Service are gearing up to do some long-term planning for the operation of Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River and they are seeking your input. The operation of the Dam is directly linked to the health of the Colorado River as it flows through the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park. Through developing a Long-Term Experimental

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Image for Nov/Dec issue of AW Journal online now!

Nov/Dec issue of AW Journal online now!

The November/December issue of the AW Journal features Your Brain on Whitewater: The Mental Game . Our index now provides direct links to each article. this issue includes. . . A Whitewater Tale of Humility Balancing Fear and Confidence A Class V Cataraft State of Mind No Vacancy! . . .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 with

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Image for Please Read: 2011 Winter Appeal

Please Read: 2011 Winter Appeal

American Whitewater is asking all paddlers and river lovers to take 5 minutes and read our 2011 Winter Appeal (pdf). In it, we lay out some of biggest successes from the past year and all the hard work we’ve done on behalf of river lovers everywhere, members or not. We won’t suger coat it, this Winter Appeal is our direct request to all whitewater enthusiasts to make a tax-deductible donation to American Whitewater, to help fund our river stewardship work.

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Image for American Whitewater Board of Directors Elections 2011

American Whitewater Board of Directors Elections 2011

As an organization, American Whitewater has been quite fortunate to have a committed group of volunteer Board of Directors that provides the organization with high-level oversight and strategic direction. To sustain this healthy and vibrant board an effective process is in place to insure an appropriate transition of Directors over time. This transition process balances the need for fresh ideas with appropriate leadership continuity. Current American Whitewater members have the opportunity to elect Directors online through December 13th.   Board

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Image for White Salmon River near Condit Dam still off limits  (WA)

White Salmon River near Condit Dam still off limits (WA)

Canyon upstream and downstream of dam unsafe as channel shifts, logjams form and break up WHITE SALMON, Wash. — Following the breach of Condit Dam that quickly drained Northwestern Lake, the White Salmon River remains an unsafe place to be both above and below the dam. PacifiCorp, local law enforcement and experienced river experts are unanimous in urging the curious to stay away. "Everyone saw the force of the river last Wednesday," said Tom Hickey, PacifiCorp’s project manager. "Now downstream

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Image for ACTION ALERT: Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Sunset Falls Hydro Project (WA)

ACTION ALERT: Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Sunset Falls Hydro Project (WA)

On September 28, 2011, Public Utility District No. 1 of Snohomish County filed an application for a preliminary permit proposing to study the feasibility of the Sunset Falls Hydroelectric Project to be located on the South Fork Skykomish River near Index in Snohomish County, Washington. The Skykomish River is part of the Washington State Scenic River system (79A.55 RCW), the legislative purpose of which is to “protect and preserve the natural character of such rivers and fulfill other conservation purposes.”

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Image for Washington's White Salmon River Runs Free Again!

Washington’s White Salmon River Runs Free Again!

After nearly a century, Washington’s White Salmon River in south central Washington is flowing freely again! Earlier today, a hole was blasted in the base of Condit Dam, and its reservoir – Northwestern Lake – began to pour through it. The reservoir drained in about an hour.   It’s always exciting to see a river come back to life, and with over 40,000 river runners each year, the White Salmon is already one of the most popular whitewater runs in

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Image for Condit's Comin' Down - Please Respect the Closures!

Condit’s Comin’ Down – Please Respect the Closures!

We’re all VERY excited to see Washington’s White Salmon River break free of Condit Dam tomorrow. In order for the events to go off without a hitch, we’ll need everyone’s cooperation. If you plan to head to the White Salmon area for the events, please respect PacifiCorp’s closures around the dam site – today and throughout the removal process over the next 11 months.  Learn more about the closures through PacifiCorp, and at Wet Planet’s blog: PacifiCorp Means Business. Don’t

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Image for AW Needs Your Input On Western River Flows!

AW Needs Your Input On Western River Flows!

Colorado River Basin – American Whitewater is asking for paddler input on flows and recreation quality for rivers across the Southwestern United States. Whether you live in Boston or Jensen, UT, your honest participation in our study will help us identify the full range of streamflows that provide recreational opportunities on some of the most important rivers in the West.  We will use this data to help evaluate impacts to whitewater boating under future water supply scenarios being developed under

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Image for Requirements to Provide Whitewater Recreation Upheld for Fox River (WI)

Requirements to Provide Whitewater Recreation Upheld for Fox River (WI)

In an important affirmation of the value of whitewater recreation at federally-licensed hydropower projects, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ruled against City of Kaukauna’s request to eliminate requirements to mitigate for lost whitewater recreational opportunities with the expansion of their hydropower project. Kaukauna had argued that whitewater boating was unsafe and as evidence cited an inicident this spring where a boater swam out of a hole and self rescued. Under the new license, Kaukauna will increase the hydro project’s total

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Image for Federal Court Upholds the Roadless Area Conservation Rule

Federal Court Upholds the Roadless Area Conservation Rule

Ruling preserves popular backcountry recreation destinations across the country Earlier today, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the final legal challenge to the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, affirming protections for nearly 60 million acres around the country. Today’s decision clears up legal ambiguity that had existed. The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule was approved in January 2001 following years of scientific study, more than 600 public hearings across the country, and 1.6 million official public comments. The lands

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Image for One Step Closer to Oroville Whitewater

One Step Closer to Oroville Whitewater

This week, another important step was taken down the long road of bringing a whitewater park to the City of Oroville, California.  On Tuesday, October 17th, the Oroville City Council voted unanimously to hire McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group to conduct the first phase environmental assessment for the whitewater park. Through the assessment, McLaughlin will consider a number of alternative sites and consult with numerous local, state and federal agencies to assess the environmental permitting requirements for building the park. The

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Image for Federal Judge Halts Uranium Leases in Dolores River Basin

Federal Judge Halts Uranium Leases in Dolores River Basin

TELLURIDE, Colo.— In a major victory for clean air, clean water and endangered species on public lands, a federal judge on Tuesday halted the Department of Energy’s 42-square-mile uranium-leasing program that threatened the Dolores and San Miguel rivers in southwestern Colorado. Five conservation groups had sued to halt the leasing program, charging that the Department of Energy was failing to adequately protect the environment or analyze the full impacts of renewed uranium mining on public lands. The 53-page ruling invalidates

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Image for A Chance to Share Your Stories

A Chance to Share Your Stories

Calling all writers/photographers… We’d love to read your stories (and see your pictures) about whitewater. In fact, we’d love to print them in an upcoming issue of the American Whitewater Journal. Deadline for stories on the topics listed below is October 25. While we will always accept articles on any topic, at this time, we’re looking for stories on any and all of the following: Canoeing Ask any kayaker who has ever paddled a canoe and they will tell you

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Image for Preliminary Permit Issued for North Fork Snoqualmie Hydropower Project

Preliminary Permit Issued for North Fork Snoqualmie Hydropower Project

Today the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a Preliminary Permit for the Black Canyon Hydroelectric Project that would dewater Ernies Gorge on the North Fork Snoqualmie River. The majority of comments filed with the Commission opposed the proposed project because it would dewater the North Fork of the Snoqualmie and may adversely effect recreation, particularly whitewater kayaking and fishing. Other comments stated that the proposed project would have adverse effects on aesthetic, fish, and wildlife resources. Comments also indicated that

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Image for Tallulah (GA) Releases Are Scheduled For Fall 2011

Tallulah (GA) Releases Are Scheduled For Fall 2011

  Note: Important update as of November 9th. GA Power informed American Whitewater that they will be closing the gate to the take-out access area at 5:00PM and asked that all boaters be off the water and out of the parking area at that time.   American Whitewater received notice that Tallulah River (GA) release will be taking place the first three weekends in November 2011. There had been some question regarding these releases due to low water levels. Georgia

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Image for Successful Season on the Lehigh

Successful Season on the Lehigh

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District posted the following news release today: http://bit.ly/nNxK0P PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 12, 2011): The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District  announced it will begin drawing down the pool of the Francis E. Walter Dam to its winter level starting Oct. 17. The draw down follows the completion of the recreation season, which included all 24 planned whitewater release events and numerous fisheries enhancement releases. The winter pool level is an elevation of 1300.

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Image for Restoring the White Salmon River Film Released (WA)

Restoring the White Salmon River Film Released (WA)

A new video released today is building excitement for the restoration of a free-flowing White Salmon River. The video by filmmaker Andy Maser features local voices sharing their perspectives on the upcoming removal of Condit Dam.  On October 26 a hole will be blasted in the base of the dam, and Northwestern Reservoir will drain in a matter of hours. The explosion will mark the beginning of a regionally and nationally significant river restoration effort. In the video, Heather Herbeck,

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