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Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a new 30-year license for the Nantahala Hydroelectric Project in Western North Carolina.  The new license confirms many elements of a 2003 collaborative settlement agreement developed by Duke Energy, American Whitewater, state and federal resource agencies, and many other stakeholders.  Included in the new license are flow releases that treat over 250,000 people each year to whitewater paddling on the Nantahala River.

The Northeast's largest whitewater festival and American Whitewater fundraiser, Deerfield Fest, has been scheduled for June 30th, 2012 in Charlemont, MA. Members and Vendors alike should put the event on their calendar and plan on attending. We hope to see everyone there!

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the recipient of our February 2012 Volunteer of the Month award: Harry Dundore! Harry contacted us with a plan for getting the AW message out to existing Affiliate Clubs and encouraging new clubs to join our stewardship efforts. He has worked tirelessly passing on AW's stewardship message and has been very successful in securing new members. In recognition of his efforts, Harry will be receiving a custom shirt from Kokatat! Thanks Harry!

In the fall of 2006 a major flood event severely damaged the road that provides access to the North Fork of the Skykomish River. Most of the damage was between the put-in at Drumbeater (just above Troublesome Creek) and the take-out at Trout Creek. Snohomish County has initiated an Environmental Assessment and is currently taking scoping comments to identified issues to consider in their project analysis. Paddlers are encouraged to weigh in. The deadline for comments is February 29th.

A generous land donation from a Friendsville resident has put a permanent, convenient takeout for the Upper Yough within paddlers’ reach. This facility will accomodate a growing number of paddlers while eliminating a situation that has been a sore point with local residents for decades. The Town of Friendsville, which stood up for paddlers many times over the last 18 months, is asking for help funding this project. American Whitewater is calling on all Upper Yough paddlers to give back to the town and the river by making donations, big or small, to help develop this access point. See the fundraising page for complete info.

Earlier this week American Whitewater appealed a decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to foreclose possible recreational releases on the Saranac River that was based on bad science, an inadequate review, and procedural problems. It is our hope that our appeal will confirm the need to rely on the best available science to make rational and transparent decisions - that ultimately protect rivers and their enjoyment.

American Whitewater recently joined regional paddling and conservation partners in seeking additional class III paddling opportunities on Vermont's Little and West rivers.  The requests were formal filings made to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Creek boaters--it's time to sit down and type up some of the great stories that you took part in in 2011. We're starting to wonder if the international creek boating federation was on strike this year--when we asked for stories on this topic earlier we were underwhelmed by the response. Creekers, please prove us wrong--show the world what you have done and what you can do!

Today, the US Forest Service released their newest proposal regarding how to manage recreation on the Wild and Scenic Upper Chattooga River, where they currently maintain a controversial ban on paddling. The proposal would allow more paddling than has been proposed by the Forest Service in prior proposals as soon as March of this year. However, like previous proposals, the new proposal would limit whitewater paddling by stream reach, season, and flow, while imposing no such limits on all other similar visitors.

Green River, Utah - The Green River above Canyonlands National Park has been targeted as a source of water for a new Nuclear Power Plant. The State of Utah has approved a change in existing water rights, allowing local water districts to lease water for the project, which would cost billions of dollars to license and build. A Public Comment period will be open, prior to approval of the project.

Your voice is needed to help protect and restore the beaches, habitat, and cultural resources on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. For the first time since 1996, federal resource agencies are considering the future operations of Glen Canyon Dam, which will impact flows on the Colorado. Your comments can help shape the alternatives that will be considered in an upcoming Environmental Impact Statement for the operation of the dam. If you love the Grand Canyon, have been lucky enough to do a trip on the Colorado, or hope to experience it one day, your comments are important! They are due Tuesday, January 31^st!

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the availability of our 2012 Member Rewards. These are the items that we give as a thank you to our $100 and above members in recognition of their substantial support for AW. Also, as in years past, all $100 - $2,500 memberships include a complimentary copy of the next American Whitewater Calendar. Awesome!

The US Department of Agriculture today released their analysis and proposed language behind a new Forest Planning Rule.  The Rule, when released formally within a month, will govern how National Forest plans are developed.  The new rule is intended to be more collaborative, transparent, and efficient. 

American Whitewater is looking for an oustanding vendor to help us build the next version of our website. We've put together a Request for Proposal (RFP) outlining this project more fully and to help us select an appropriate vendor. All qualified vendors are encouraged to participate.

Today, the Columbia Bioregional Education Project, joined by several conservation groups including American Whitewater, issued a new economic analysis of Okanogan Public Utility District’s proposal to re-start hydropower generation at Enloe Dam on the Similkameen River. The analysis, prepared by Rocky Mountain Econometrics concludes that it is not possible for the PUD to sell power from Enloe Dam at or above the cost of producing it, and that the PUD will lose $26 for every megawatt hour produced at the dam.

Currently underway, the Elwha River restoration project is the biggest dam removal effort in history. This week we are proud to release the third film in our series on dam removal celebrating the Year of the River.

After a second fatality on West Virginia's Upper Blackwater River in just over two years Blackwater Falls State Park is now making it mandatory to sign in at the state park lodge and will ticket any kayakers who do not sign in. First run in 1971 by Joe Monahan, Phil Allender, and Todd Martin, this stretch has become a classic "test piece" for today's high-end creek boaters. Tucker County, which responds to accidents in the drainage, is considering legislation to make anyone requiring help from Search and Rescue responsible for the costs. The State Park has also threatened "drastic actions" if faced with more fatal incidents in the future, possibly eliminating access to the Upper Blackwater from State Park land. AW strongly urges paddlers to cooperate with the park and to exercise extra caution when running the river.

American Whitewater has formally weighed in to oppose the Susitna Dam in Alaska. The Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project would significantly degrade the recreational experience and unique ecological values of one of North America’s most iconic wilderness rivers. The Susitna is one of only a handful of large river systems around the world that remains in its free-flowing condition from the headwaters to the ocean. 

In addition to seeking comments on the management of lands within the Colorado River Valley Field Office, the BLM is also seeking comments on their management of lands within the Kremmling Field Office, which includes the Upper Colorado and other rivers important to whitewater recreation. This draft Resource Management Plan is also a hefty one, and American Whitewater has distilled this one down too, focusing on the issues that are important to you. You can read our dRMP guide and get tips on how to provide meaningful and substantive comments here. The future flows of the Colorado River depend on it!

Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, and Kurt Schrader have introduced legislation (S.2001/H.R.3436) to permanently protect portions of the Rogue River and its surrounding forests. The legislation would protect the quality of the world-class recreational experience this river provides.

Earlier today the Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, announced a 20-year moratorium on new uranium and other hard rock mining claims on roughly 1-million acres of land surrounding the Grand Canyon.  We would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to Secretary Salazar, his staff, and the administration for acting as responsible stewards of one of America's most treasured places.

After 30 years, the National Paddling Film Festival (NPFF) is still going strong. This year's NPFF will be held on February 24-25 in Frankfort, KY at the Buffalo Trace Distillery. You can buy a ticket to the magic via this easy online order form. Tickets are $20 online or $25 at the door.

It's now time to start thinking about multi-day trips for this spring and there are several great opportunities on Western Rivers. Many of these rivers require you to fill out a lottery application and deadlines are coming up. Check out our database of permits and start planning that trip.

The BLM is seeking comments on their management of lands within the Colorado River Valley Field Office, which includes the Upper Colorado and other rivers important to whitewater recreation. The draft Resource Management Plan is hefty, but American Whitewater has distilled it down to the issues that are important to you. You can read our dRMP guide and get tips on how to provide meaningful and substantive comments here. The future flows of the Colorado River depend on it!

The January/February  issue of AW Journal features our Top Ten River Stewardship Issues of 2012. Our index now provides direct links to each article.

Current members, read the Journal now! 
Not a current member? Renew or Join today!

On December 15th, 2011, the owner of Holtwood Dam on the Susquehanna River submitted a whitewater boating plan to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for approval. The plan calls for two new whitewater features to be built immediately downstream of Holtwood Dam along the York County side of the Susquehanna River at the base of a defunct fish ladder. It is anticipated that the construction of the features will occur in 2012, and will be fully operational in 2013.

Paddlers at the swinging footbridge put-in for Goshen Pass on Virginia’s Maury River were recently confronted with a new sign. Starting January 1, 2012, the VA State Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will require a permit to launch there. In fact, anyone accessing a Wildlife Management Area or public fishing lake must purchase an access permit; the cost is $4 daily, $23 annually for both residents and non-residents. Those possessing a valid Virginia hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license, or have a current Virginia boat registration will not need to buy one.  It’s not yet clear which Virginia rivers are affected, and we need your help. Click ahead for more information.

American Whitewater recently prepared a report on the streams of the Idaho Panhandle that are eligible for Wild and Scenic designation based at least in part on their regionally or nationally significant recreational values. We have asked the Forest Service to find each of these streams eligible for Wild and Scenic designation and thus grant them interim protection.

Earlier today American Whitewater was joined by Alpine Lakes Protection Society, American Rivers, North Cascades Conservation Council, Sierra Club – Washington State Chapter, The Mountaineers, and Washington Wild in formally opposing the proposed hydropower project on the South Fork of the Skykomish River at Sunset Falls.

Since their formal announcement in mid-November, Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Norm Dicks have been soliciting input on their draft conservation proposal for the Olympic Peninsula to establish new Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and provide an opportunity for targeted Olympic National Park preserve additions through a willing-buyer, willing-seller process.

Over 460 AW members cast their votes for new Directors during recent Board elections that concluded on December 13, 2011. Elected Directors starting their terms in 2012 include Kent Ford (CO), Don Kinser (GA), Leland Davis (NC) and Rich Bowers (WA).

Colorado - American Whitewater has filed a Motion to Intervene in Opposition to the Regional Watershed Supply Project Preliminary Permit Application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Joining us in our effort to protect the Green River from the project (aka Flaming Gorge Pumpback), is American Rivers and the Colorado River Outfitters Association.

Paddlers have the opportunity to help gain Wild and Scenic status for the San Joaquin, North Fork Kaweah and Kern Rivers.The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is recommending protection of these rivers as part of  the BLM Draft Resource Management Plan.  We need to let the agency know that paddlers support this action.

We could write at least 100 good reasons to be an American Whitewater member, but sometimes the best way to say it is with video. Check out the piece we put together here. It lays out some of our most recent successes and why all paddlers should be AW members. We hope it'll encourage non-members to join. If you're already a member, please share it with others, thanks!

Just a friendly reminder: an American Whitewater membership makes the perfect gift for the paddler or river-lover in your life! We've made buying one super easy and quick too. Just fill out our Gift Membership form and we'll take care of the rest. If they already have an AW membership, no problem, we'll just add on another year to it. You get to give a great gift and support your favorite non-profit at the same time. Awesome!

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the recipient of our December 2011 Volunteer of the Month award: Jack Barker! 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 landowners along the Taylor River. Recently, Jack's diligence paid off as landowners were forced to raise the height of private footbridges crossing the Taylor River, to allow for downstream navigation.

Colorado - The State of Colorado has filed for instream-flow water rights for the mainstem of the Colorado River.  State instream flow rights provide legal protection of flows that protect the environment to a reasonable degree.  For Gore Canyon, Pumphouse, State Bridge, and Dotsero, this is the first time flows have recieved legal protection under Colorado Water Law.  American Whitewater has worked to establish these rights since the launch of our Colorado River Stewardship Program.

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.

Charity Navigator has recognized our diligence in adhering to strict financial accountability for the second straight year. It is an honor to receive this top rating two years in a row for our philanthropic efforts in river conservation. We will strive to maintain the high standards set forth by Charity Navigator and continue to earn the trust and respect of our members.

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.

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!

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 "How I Got Started in Whitewater" and "Creeking." Check out the full article for more publication opportunities.

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. The access will be reopened as soon as conditions stabilize.

Yosemite National Park is currently seeking your input as they develop alternatives for the Merced Wild and Scenic River Management Plan. Boating is currently banned throughout most of the Park, and we are pleased to see that it is being considered on additional stretches of the river. Your comments can help support opening the entire length of the Wild and Scenic Merced River within the Park to canoes, kayaks and rafts! Comments are due December 14th, 2011.  

If you're looking to increase your membership level and support for American Whitewater, don't forget that we have an installment payment option for memberships. If you were looking to get that $750 Lifetime membership, with 12 payments it's just $62.50 a month. Easy as $62 pie. Read on for full details.

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. You can give this membership as a gift via our gift membership form or purchase it for yourself via our Join or Renew form. Act fast: this offer is only good through Dec. 31st, or while supplies last.

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 documents positive effects on instream habitat and aquatic insect populations.  American Whitewater is now actively working with other stakeholders to finalize a flow program on the Bear for decades to come. 

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. The proposed pump-storage project would have included a dam exceeding 200 feet tall on Little Potlatch Creek. The Little Potlatch will remain free-flowing! 

Legislation that threatens the integrity of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System has moved out of Committee Hearings and will soon be put to a vote on the House Floor. HR 2578 proposes to roll back the designated boundary of California's Wild and Scenic Merced River. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is one of the strongest tools that we have to protect the free-flowing rivers we value for future generations, and HR 2578 is a slippery slope for Wild and Scenic Rivers throughout the country. Please contact your Representatives today!

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. This is the first time that the operation of Glen Canyon Dam has been evaluated in 15 years. Through the process, the agencies wil evaluate how to operate the dam in a way that is protective of the environmental, cultural and recreational values of the Colorado River while also meeting water supply obligations and providing hydropower. The process will shape dam operations and flows on the Colorado River for the next 15 to 20 years.  Learn more about the process, public scoping meetings and how to comment here! 

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.

The November/December  issue of AW Journal features a Celebration of Wilderness Rivers. Our index now provides direct links to each article.

Current members, read the Journal now!  Not a current member? Renew or Join today!

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. However, we think our consistent successes and careful, lean money management make us an excellent choice for a contribution.

As an organization, American Whitewater is fortunate to have a committed group of volunteer Board of Directors that provides the organization with high-level oversight and strategic direction. Elections for the AW Board of Directors runs through December 13th to elect four Directors. American Whitewater members, vote now online!

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.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has initiated a 60 day comment period for the proposed Sunset Falls Hydro Project. This is the first step in the process where Snohomish PUD is seeking a preliminary permit to begin a formal study of the site. American Whitewater has several concerns with this project given the community value of this river and its signature waterfall.

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 is expected to be fully drained by sundown.As a party to the 1999 settlement agreement for removal, American Whitewater has played a leadership role in representing the interests of the whitewater recreation community in the effort to remove Condit Dam.

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. There will be plenty of places to celebrate though!  Read more here to learn about the closures and where you can celebrate safely! 

Colorado River Basin - American Whitewater is asking for paddler input on flows and recreation quality for rivers across the Southwestern United States. We are gathering this information to help define recreational flow-needs, and to inform the US Bureau of Reclamations' Colorado River Basin Supply and Demand Study. Whether you live in Boston, San Francisco, or Jensen, UT, your input will help AW protect healthy rivers - TAKE OUR SURVEY TODAY!

In an important affirmation of the value of whitewater recreation at federally-licensed hydropower projects, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ruled that licensee's have a responsibility to provide recreational opportunities in accordance with area needs. The fact that risk may be involved in such activities as whitewater boating does not obviate a licensee’s responsibility to provide these opportunities.

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 and some spectacular backcountry whitewater destinations that flow through them. Today's decision clears up legal ambiguity that had existed.

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. The assessment 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. We're excited to see the process of bringing whitewater to Oroville moving forward!

Colorado - In a major victory for clean air and clean water 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. The sweeping ruling suspends all drilling, mining, exploration, and existing or future leasing.

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 next steps in this process are that the developer will have three years to investigate the site and file a formal application for hydropower development.

We're looking for stories and photos for an upcoming issue of the American Whitewater Journal. If you've got anything interesting to write about Canoeing, Volunteer Stewardship, or the Best Runs for Beginners, read on. Deadline is October 25, so don't delay!

Tallulah releases are scheduled to happen this fall! American Whitewater received notification that fall whitewater releases on the Tallulah River will occur the first three weekends of November.

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.

Colorado - The long anticipated Draft Resource Management Plans and Draft Environmental Impact Statements (DRMP/DEIS) for the Bureau of Land Management's Kremmling and Colorado River Field Offices have been released for public comment.

Both documents outline a Preferred Alternative that includes two options that address river segments found eligible for inclusion into the National Wild and Scenic River System.  Under this Management Plan, the BLM will consider defering any suitibility determiniation, and adopt and implement the Stakeholder Group’s Management Plan in order to protect the free-flowing nature, Outstandingly Remarkable Values, and tentative classifications of all river segments.

As the winter rains return to the Pacific Northwest, those passing through Washington's Olympic Peninsula in search of paddling opportunities will have an opportunity to see the largest dam removal effort in the nation underway. Olympic National Park recently opened the Elwha Dam Overlook Trail where visitors can view dam removal progress in person.

Wyoming/Colorado - The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has found the preliminary permit application for the Regional Watershed Supply Project (Flaming Gorge Pumpback) "deficient", stating that additional information and attention to scheduling is needed before the agency can complete it's evaluation of the project. If the Project's proponent fails to provide the information requested within 30 days, the application may be rejected.

Several bills currently threaten Wild and Scenic Rivers throughout the country, including the St. Croix in Minnesota and Wisconsin (HR 850/S1134), California's Merced River (HR 869 and 2578), and Oregon's Crooked River (HR 2060).  These bills will be moving out of committee this fall, and American Whitewater recently joined with other conservation organizations and many of our Affiliate Clubs in submitting a letter to Congress voicing our concerns.

A public comment period is now open for the restoration of the Klamath River through November 21st. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced in late September that the federal government has completed numerous peer-reviewed scientific and technical studies providing new and detailed information about the environmental and economic impacts of removing four Klamath River hydroelectric dams.

Late last month Snohomish PUD submitted a preliminary permit application to investigate the feasibility of a hydropower project at Sunset Falls on the Skykomish River. This is not the first hydropower project that has been proposed at Sunset Falls, however the river is part of the Washington State Scenic River system (RCW 79A.55.070), is within a Northwest Power and Conservation Council Protected Area from hydropower development, and has been recommended for designation as a Wild and Scenic River for its Scenic, Recreation, Fish, and Wildlife values.

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the recipient of our October 2011 Volunteer of the Month award: Neal Dana! Neal is an instrumental volunteer helping AW put on Gauley Fest. Each year, Neal offers up his electrical expertise helping us safely wire the Gauley Fest site for power. In recognition of his efforts, Neal will be receiving a custom Destination Shirt from Kokatat! Thanks Neal!

A strong response from the whitewater community has gone a long way towards protecting summer whitewater on the Upper Youghiogheny River. The story started when property owners on the back coves of Deep Creek Lake started pressuring politicians to raise the minimum summer lake leve . This could have eliminated many summer releases! A discussion between the Editor of the Garrett County Republican and Friendsville Town Councilman Jess Whittemore resulted in an editorial that drew an unprecedented 160 supportive letters from paddlers and local businessmen. This set the stage for the October 3 town council meeting in Friendsville, which drew state senators, representatives, and other important figures in Garrett County. Read on to get the latest update!

Join AW Staff and Volunteers on the Pit River in Northern California this weekend!  Whitewater releases are scheduled for October 1st/2nd, and October 15th/16th and are expected to be about 850-950 cfs. Come on out Saturday night and join us at the Pit River Recreation Area to celebrate the releases and get caught up on our Stewardship work in California. We look forward to seeing you on the river!

Maryland's Upper Youghiogheny River is one of the finest expert whitewater runs in the country and one of the few with a predictable summer release schedule. Hundreds of private and commercial paddlers assemble in Friendsville every summer weekend to run the river. Recently a handful of property owners on the back coves of Deep Creek Lake have been pressuring politicians to raise the “lower rule band”, the minimum level for the lake at a given time. This could eliminate 70% of summer releases! Read on to find out how you can stand up for summer whitewater on the Upper Yough.

As many folks know, Gauley Fest is American Whitewater’s biggest fundraising event. As such, we’re very proud to announce another excellent Gauley Fest for the record books. If you couldn’t make it to the big GF, check out a few photos we’ve posted on our Facebook page. Many thanks go to all the people that attended, vendors that bought booths and volunteers that helped out. Finally, remember that Gauley Fest will always happen on the third weekend of September (which may or may not be the third release weekend on the Gauley River). So go mark September 14-16, 2012 as the dates for the next Gauley Fest. We hope to see you there!

The Feather River Festival will kick off this Friday, September 23rd with films from the National Paddling Film Festival, and the weekend will be filled with river events for all ages and skill levels.  We hope to see you there! 

The Forest Service is developing a new Forest Plan for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and has released a Proposed Action. The Forest Service is accepting public comment on this plan that will guide management for the next decade or more. 

Grand Junction, CO - This week, after much deliberation, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) approved a highly diluted request to fund a feasability study for the Flaming Gorge Pipeline. The feasability study, which uses the Flaming Gorge Pipeline as a test case, will focus on establishing a process that will identify issues and opportunities for developing new water supplies for Colorado's front range. Conservation groups continue to have numerous concerns about the process even in a scaled back form.

If you're coming out to Gauley Fest, make sure you check out the Ladies on the Lower G fundraiser put on by Anna Levesque and Girls at Play. It's a fun paddle down, you guessed it, the Lower Gauley and all the funds raised goes to American Whitewater. It should be an awesome trip and we hope you'll check it out.

The biggest dam removal in history begins September 17, 2011 on Washington’s Elwha River. In partnership with American Rivers and the Hydropower Reform Coalition, American Whitewater is releasing Episode 1 of our Year of the River film series.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans a higher than normal whitewater release for the World Kayak Canyon Doors Freestyle Festival on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. Summersville Dam will release to 4700 cfs from 5:30 - 11:00 am; afterwards, the release will gradually drop to 700 cfs over the next 8 hours. This is significantly more water than the regular weekend Gauley releases of 2800 cfs. This added water makes all sections, especially the Upper Gauley, more challenging. Paddlers utilizing this special release should exercise caution to avoid unpleasant surprises. Signs advising of this flow increase will be posted by the National Park Service at all major access areas.

Protection provided by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act are currently under threat by several pieces of legislation in Congress. HR850/S1134 targets the St. Croix River in Minnesota and Wisconsin, HR 869 and HR 2578 target the Merced River in California, and HR 2060 applies to the Crooked River in Oregon. If passed, the implications reach beyond these three rivers - opening the door to development threatens to undermine the integrity of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System overall. 

Wyoming/Colorado - Proponents of the 501-mile long pipeline that will send water from the Green River in Wyoming, to Colorado's Front Range, have submitted an Application for a Preliminary Permit with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The project, known as the "Flaming Gorge pipeline," had been under consideration by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for more than two years until the agency canceled it's environmental review. New plans for the pipeline now include hydropower production, requiring FERC to issue the permit.

South Feather releases are expected to begin in late September, then run till late October.

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the recipient of our September Volunteer of the Month award: Shanti Savage! Shanti is a volunteer extraordinaire and river guide on the San Juan (CO). She is very involved with the Lower Dolores Boating Advocates and has helped AW by taking press down the San Juan and also with the Delores River Festival. Thanks and great job Shanti! In recognition of her efforts Shanti will be receiving a custom Destination Shirt from our partners at Kokatat.

American Whitewater needs your help! Besides AW's 10 staff members, Gauley Fest, presented by Subaru, requires over 300 volunteers to make it work! Sign up now to volunteer via our volunteer registration form, thanks!

The September/October  issue of AW Journal features a Celebration of Wilderness Rivers. Our index now provides direct links to each article.

Current members, read the Journal now! 
Not a current member? Renew or Join today!

Yesterday, national and regional conservation-oriented paddling organizations submitted comments on the US Forest Service’s 489-page Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding recreation on the Wild and Scenic Upper Chattooga River.  Also joining the comments were three individuals that enjoyed paddling the river prior to the controversial 1976 paddling ban.

The National Park Service shares an open letter to boaters regarding what to expect this season on the Gauley River (WV) including the recent acquisition of a parcel of land at upper Swiss that provides a public take-out on the lower Gauley.

John L. Berry, a true whitewater pioneer, died on Aug. 11th. He was 86. Berry was an outstanding whitewater competitor during the 50's and 60's. He was National C-1 and C-2 Champion and a member of the first US Whitewater Team in 1961. In 1957 he and his long-time C-2 partner Bob Harrigan lead the first descent of West Virginia's Cheat Canyon (Shown in the photo) and the New River Gorge from Thurmond to Fayette Station. In the mid-sixities he led several trips down a pre-dam Gauley River. He was also a remarkable boat designer. In 1960 he built one of the first American closed-deck C-1's; in the '70's he created several legendary open canoes. Anyone who paddles whitewater today owes much to his work.

 

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the recipient of our August Volunteer of the Month award: Katrina O'Brien! Katrina is a rockstar volunteer for AW's Deerfield Fest in Massachussetts, the biggest paddling festival in the Northeast. Thanks Katrina! In recognition of her efforts Katrina will be receiving a custom Destination Shirt from Kokatat.

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