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The US Forest Service is replacing the Indian Creek Bridge, which will result in a closure of the road to the normal Selway River put-in (the Paradise Boat Launch) from August 8-19th.  The work may require additional time if problems occur.  The construction dates were selected to avoid the floating permit season and the first week of un-permitted floating, and later season fisheries constraints.  Paddlers wanting to run the Selway during the road closure period may put in upstream of

American Whitewater was recently contacted by a Montana paddler and environmental contractor who is pursuing the possibility of collecting water quality samples, photo-documentation, and other environmental data along a section of the Yellowstone River that was recently impacted by a oil pipeline breach.  He is seeking experienced whitewater kayakers and canoeists that would be willing to paddle one or more sections of the Yellowstone River and document the environmental effects of the oil spill, in the immediate future (eg next

The "Needles" section of the Potomac and the Shenandoah "Staircase" are two of the most popular Class II-III summer runs runs for Mid-States paddlers. This narrow valley also contains several major railroad and highway crossings along with the historic town of Harper's Ferry. Beginning in the summer of 2010 paddlers began to see many of the best put-ins and take-outs around Harpers Ferry bought up, or blocked or severely restricted by The National Park Service and local law enforcement. That

The 2011 Chelan Gorge Recreational Releases present whitewater boating opportunities that will be available for two weekends in July (9th and 10th; 23rd and 24th) and two weekends in September (10th and 11th; 24th and 25th). American Whitewater has invested more than a decade of effort into bringing this opportunity to the paddling community of the Pacific Northwest, and we are excited to kick off the third year of weekend releases. During the relicensing process several parties including the utility

The July/August issue of the AW Journal features Whitewater Women and the American Whitewater 2010 Annual Report. And, beginning with this issue our index provides direct links to each article. this issue includes. . . River Lessons Kayaking, a Way of Life From Scaredy Cat to River Rat . . .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

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,