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Volunteer Of The Month – Presented By Kokatat

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the recipient of our December 2011 Volunteer of the Month award: Jack Barker! Jack is a long-time fixture in the Colorado boating scene, especially at his local backyard runs around Crested Butte and Gunnison. For the past two years, Jack has spent countless hours on behalf of the paddling community, applying pressure on the US Army Corps of Engineers and local landowners along the Taylor River, to ensure we have opportunities to paddle into

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Image for Upper Colorado River Receives Legal Flow Protection

Upper Colorado River Receives Legal Flow Protection

Colorado – On November 30th, 2011 the State of Colorado filed for three separate water rights applications in Colorado Water Court, with the intent to preserve streamflows critical to the health of the Colorado River. These instream flow (ISF) rights are the first time flows in Gore Canyon, Pumphouse, Statebridge, and Dotsero have recieved legal protection. These ISF are a unique appropriation in that they were recommended by the consensus of a diverse stakeholder group, including American Whitewater, under a

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Image for Sale on ads in the American Whitewater Journal

Sale on ads in the American Whitewater Journal

In honor of the holidays, American Whitewater is putting on a brief, one week only, sale on advertising for the January-February edition of the American Whitewater Journal. Prices are being temporarily reduced 50-60% off their regular price. These prices are only good until 5pm ET Friday December 9th and only for the Jan-Feb edition of the AW Journal. This sale pricing is: Full Page: $999 (was $1,599) Half Page: $550 (was $899) Third Page: $325 (was $699) Sixth Page: $199

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Image for Charity Navigator Awards AW Second Consecutive 4-star Rating

Charity Navigator Awards AW Second Consecutive 4-star Rating

American Whitewater has received a second 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities.   Dec 1, 2011, Charity Navigator announced that American Whitewater has earned its second consecutive 4-star rating. Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that American Whitewater adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way. Only 13% of the charities Charity Navigator rates have

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Image for 2012 AW Calendar For Sale

2012 AW Calendar For Sale

The 2012 American Whitewater calendar is now available for puchase! Each year, we collect the best photos from our gracious  fans and pick out our favorites for our annual calendar. We then sell this calendar and use the funds to support our river stewardship work. It’s an awesome fundraiser and a product that we know you’ll love. Please consider picking up one (or thirty six) of them today. Thanks!

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Image for AW is Looking for a Graphic Designer

AW is Looking for a Graphic Designer

American Whitewater is looking for the services of an awesome graphic designer. The designer can be based anywhere in the US and work on their own schedule, within project deadlines. The work would be on an as needed basis and the designer would be employed as an independent contractor. Some of your annual design projects would include our Annual Report (pdf), Summer Appeal (pdf) and Winter Appeal. Future projects would include designing pieces to go on apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, etc.), logos

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Image for See Your Name in Print

See Your Name in Print

See Your Name in Print Reading the American Whitewater Journal is good. Getting published in it is great! Be the envy of your boating friends by getting a great story published in American Whitewater. Deadline for stories on the topics listed below is December 21. At this time, we’re looking for stories on any and all of the following: How I Got Started in Whitewater Every paddler has a story to tell on this topic—some more interesting than others. Did

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Image for Wild and Scenic Film Fest Comes to Portland Dec 1

Wild and Scenic Film Fest Comes to Portland Dec 1

On Thursday, December 1st, Willamette Riverkeeper, Patagonia and REI will be hosting the Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Portland, and you’re invited! Make no mistake – the Wild and Scenic Film Fest is a call to action. Considered the largest film festival of its kind, this year’s films combine stellar filmmaking and first-rate storytelling to inform, inspre and ignite solutions and possibilities to restore the earth and human communities, while creating a positive future for the next generation. Filmgoers

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Image for Wild Rivers Night in Portland - November 29th

Wild Rivers Night in Portland – November 29th

Hey PNW River Lovers!  If you’ll be in Portland on Tuesday, November 29th, come check out the 2011 Wild Rivers Night. The evening will feature films about the PNW’s Salmon, Elwha, and White Salmon Rivers, and a slideshow about Siberia’s Kaa-Kem River. River aficionado Tim Palmer will also give a presentation entiled "Field Guide to American Rivers." The event is free! It’ll be a great evening and AW will be there!  We hope you can join us! Where: KEEN Portland

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Image for Temporary Closure of White Salmon River Access (WA)

Temporary Closure of White Salmon River Access (WA)

PacifiCorp has announced that they have closed the river access at Northwestern Lake Park (the take-out for the Lower White Salmon run) due to the dynamic river conditions associated with Condit Dam removal and ongoing downcutting of sediment in the vicinity of the take-out. PacifiCorp released the following statement earlier today:Please be advised that White Salmon River conditions near the Northwestern Lake Bridge and Northwestern Lake Park are changing almost every day.  The river has cut it’s bed down approximately

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Image for Membership Installment Plans

Membership Installment Plans

If you’re looking to increase your membership level and support for American Whitewater, don’t forget that we have an installment plans for memberships over $250. Maybe you’re eyeing one of our awesome member rewards or looking to offset your taxes for next year. Or, maybe you just love saving rivers! Regardless, we hope you’ll consider increasing your membership level through our installment program. All memberships over $250 are eligible and you can choose from 4 or 12 payments per year. So,

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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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