Articles

Do you have mad art skills and some time on your hands?  American Whitewater is producing a document titled Recreational Considerations for Stream Channel Design, and we need some help.  The goal is to help restoration project designers create stream channels that are as natural, safe, and fun as possible. Currently when engineers, landscape architects, and restoration ecologists sit down to design a new stream channel or in-stream structures like log accumulations and rock weirs they may consider only physics

Another great Potomac Fest has come and gone. If you didn’t make it this year, make sure you put it on your calendar for next year! This event is put on by a group of excellent volunteers each year as a fundraiser for American Whitewater. We’re always impressed with the hard work, dedication, and positive attitudes that these folks display especially given the size and complexity of the event. Big thanks also go out to the events many sponsors for

American Whitewater’s Dave Steindorf is meeting with the Forest Service today to discuss access to California’s Middle Fork Feather River. On June 20th, 2011, the Plumas National Forest in California closed Milsap Bar Road to the Middle Fork Feather River for repairs and maintenance on the Milsap Bar Bridge. The road provides the main access point to the Middle Fork Feather River – it is the take-out for the Devil’s Canyon run and put-in for the Bald Rock Canyon run.

A few weeks ago at a Garrett County Chamber of Commerce Meeting Friendsville Mayor Spencer Schlosnagle and Town Councilman Jesse Whittemore defended the existing summer release schedule on the Upper Youghiogheny River. This past winter the Chamber supported owners of backwater lots on Deep Creek Lake in their efforts to raise the lake level, which would have canceled one-third of the summer releases. Friendsville businesses which are also members, including Wilderness Voyageurs owner Eric Martin, strongly objected to this favoritism.

  Pamela S. Dillon recently retired as chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft, which administers Ohio’s boating safety, access, and law enforcement programs.  Ms. Dillon, a skilled whitewater paddler, played a key role in bringing swiftwater rescue skills used by whitewater paddlers to firefighters, rescue squads, and other safety professionals nationwide. She was also a pioneer in raising public education and awareness for non-powered boaters in general and especially for river users in Ohio.

The EPA and Army Corp of Engineers are proposing new guidelines that will ensure that the Clean Water Act covers whitewater rivers and their tributaries.  The proposed guidelines are in response to Bush-era interpretations of lawsuits that leave many headwater streams unprotected or underprotected.  Paddlers should take a minute or two and let the EPA and Corp of Engineers know that you support their proposed guidelines.  Many of the rivers and streams we paddle are safe to paddle today because

The Merced Irrigation District ("MID") wants to drown the Wild and Scenic Merced River by raising the New Exchequer Dam and level of Lake McClure in California. HR 869 proposes to change the Wild and Scenic designation of the Merced River, threatening not only the Merced, but all Wild and Scenic Rivers throughout the country. The bill proposes to allow MID to raise the level of Lake McClure from 867 to 877 feet, and the boundary of the Wild and

Come see American Whitewater at this year’s Potomac Fest , June 25-26 in Great Falls, MD/VA! Just minutes from the Nation’s Capital, the 21st Annual Potomac Fest is two days of river events organized to delight paddlers and spectators alike. First times can try paddling at Riley’s Lock, and the party will feature a River Artists’ Alley, family games and local river organizations!  Check out the full schedule for complete details. Registration Make sure you register before June 15th to

At the recent American Whitewater Board meeting in North Bend (WA), the Directors appointed Courtney Wilton, of Portland (OR), to a special two-year term to fill the seat vacated by Eric Nies. Courtney is currently the CFO for Clackamas Community College in Oregon and brings to the AW Board a high level of financial expertise. When asked his interest in being an American Whitewater Director, Courtney responds; "I admire AW for a number of reasons. One, I strongly support its

The River Management Society awarded American Whitewater and Executive Director, Mark Singleton, with the Outstanding Contribution to River Management Award at recent meetings in Gridwood, Alaska. A key mission of RMS is to develop and promote professional river management and encourage professional development. One of the best ways to promote professional river management is to recognize those members and others who have made significant contributions to the art and science of river management, and those who best exemplify the spirit

Last week American Whitewater and AW lead volunteers that assist with Tallulah releases met with GA Power and the Tallulah Gorge State Park to discuss repairs that are taking place on the dam to repair gates damaged in a heavy rain event back in August of 2010.First a Little BackgroundThe Tallulah River was one of the first major hydro relicensing successes AW fought very hard for back in the early 1990’s. Since then it has become a staple of the

Grand Junction, Colo. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is offering a final opportunity for the public to comment on a proposed permit and fee system for the Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River. The BLM will consider comments received during this public comment period prior to making a final decision. The public comment period begins on June 6, 2011, and will close at 5 p.m. on July 6, 2011. Public comments can be sent to Ruby-Horsethief Management Plan,

The Northeast’s most popular whitewater festival, Deerfield Fest, is happening this July 30th in the town of Charlemont, MA. It’s American Whitewater’s biggest event and fundraiser in the Northeast. Boater’s from all over the Northeast and beyond flock to Deerfield Fest to see the latest gear from vendors, paddle the Deerfield River and see friends old and new. Make sure your company doesn’t miss out on this major outreach opportunity! If you’re a vendor interested in being a part of Deerfield Fest head over

Only twice each year, American Whitewater appeals for financial support for our river stewardship work. To this end, we’ve put together the 2011 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. Please, download and read the 2011 American Whitewater Summer

American Whitewater is excited to announce our 2011 partnership with Dagger ($10,000), Wavesport ($10,000) and AT Paddles ($2,500)! These brands are all part of the Confluence Watersports family and each with a long history in whitewater. However, these folks do more than just sell gear, they’re trying to save rivers too! They’re doing this by lending their support to American Whitewater and our river stewardship projects. We’re incredibly happy to have them on board and we’re sure our members will be too. Thanks to Dagger,

American Whitewater is pleased to announce Peter Stekel, of Seattle, Washington, as our June Volunteer of the Month! Peter is a long-time AW member with equally long ties to the boating community. In addition to being an avid paddler, Peter is an accomplished author, most recently with a book about hiking near Seattle, WA and a non-fiction book about WWII. Peter was instrumental in helping American Whitewater put on our most recent board meeting in Seattle, no small task to

The Bureau of Reclamation began releasing water from McPhee Reservoir into the lower Dolores River last month, following their ramping criteria.  As predicted, flows reached 1,000 cfs throughout the Memorial Day weekend.  Water managers planned on cutting back to 800 cfs for the remainder of this week, but warmer weather is driving a more rapid run-off than expected. Flows have stayed at boatable levels since May 27th.  We expect flows to continue below McPhee at the following levels: June  8-10,

American Whitewater regularly accepts donations for specific projects, and we would like to invite paddlers to donate to support our stream access work in Virginia. As many paddlers are aware, Virginia has some of the most antiquated and harsh stream access laws in the nation. American Whitewater is working with a team of volunteers, pro-bono attorneys, and regional river enthusiasts to reduce threats of prosecution for the simple act of floating down a river or stream. Donations will be used

Please consider taking our brief survey (9 questions) about the American Whitewater website. It should take less than 5 minutes (really!) to complete. We value your time very highly and wouldn’t ask you to take this survey if it wasn’t very important for American Whitewater. Also, please consider sharing this survey link amongst your boating friends via email, facebook or any other method: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AW_Website_Survey_2011 Thanks!