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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.

River enthusiasts in Virginia, including American Whitewater, are circulating the below petition to raise support for legislation clarifying that paddling is fully supported by the State of Virginia. Join us by signing this petition!

Unhappy with a plan to protect 1 million acres of land along the Grand Canyon from new uranium mining,  congressmen recently introduced a rider to an appropriations bill that would prevent these protections. Tell Congress that opening the Grand Canyon to new uranium mining would be a huge mistake!

The power company's gate will be unlocked this Saturday on the Ausable River, granting access to the Ausable Chasm, and will remain open until the end of October.  Currently flows in the Ausable Chasm are far above the recommended range, and AW has been made aware that new wood has washed into the river, possibly creating hazards or passage issues.

Be advised that due to current river flow and weather conditions on the Hoosic River there will be no whitewater release at the Schaghticoke Dam this Saturday, April 23. Per the established protocols, the release is now postponed one-week until April 30 from 1-4 PM, once again river flow conditions permitting (i.e., allowing for the desired 900 - 1,600 cfs release)

The paddling community is rallying to support a proposed 20-year federal moratorium on new uranium mining claims around Grand Canyon National Park, citing unacceptable risk to the recreational, environmental, and aesthetic values.  Read more to learn how to submit a comment of your own. 

We now have an updated map of all the Nation's Wild and Scenic Rivers available as a Google Earth layer that complements the data from our National Whitewater River Inventory that is also available in Google Earth.

The Obama Administration issued a report on America's Great Outdoors earlier today that lists river recreation as among the top ten priorities of a new federal action plan for reconnecting people with nature through human-powered outdoor recreation. The report summarizes the results of listening sessions held around the country last summer and fall as the Obama administration sought public input on its action plan for America's Great Outdoors initiative. The report reflects the robust participation of the whitewater paddling community for heeding the call and standing up at the listening sessions to be the voice of rivers

A new challenge to paddlers' well established right to navigate rivers and streams in New York has recently emerged.  Landowners have filed charges against the editor of a news magazine who wrote about floating through their property.  The state is backing paddlers' rights, but not in the courtroom.

Follow Roy McPure as he walks you through his vision for damming whitewater rivers to generate a little electricity and make money. Support for small or "run-of-river" dams is seeing an increase as people explore new ways of making money with old ways of making electricity in an era of climate change related tax incentives.

2010 marked the 25th anniversary of protecting the Black and Moose rivers!  View an online video documentary on the Moose River and the early role that American Whitewater played in protecting this amazing river.

This festival has become a benefit for Gabriel Dailey, who is suffering from kidney failure. During the festival the Bottom Moose will be releasing Saturday and Sunday May 14, 15 the Black River will be releasing Friday-Sunday May 13, 14, 15.

This week American Whitewater, New England Flow and the Vermont Paddlers Club are filing a detailed written request for studies relating to a proposed hydropower project on the popular West River.  The requested studies would provide critical insight into the effects of the proposed project on recreation, hydrology, and Atlantic salmon.

American Whitewater is pleased to announce a new employment opportunity with our organization.  The AW Stewardship Assistant is a part-time position based in California.  Resumes will be accepted through January 7, 2011. 

Act today to secure historic funding for river and trail access!  This week congress will consider fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund through offshore drilling revenues.  This fund is the best resource available for purchasing new river access and conservation easements, and has been underfunded in the past.  Please Act Today.

Efforts by the Ausable Chasm Company to discourage legal public enjoyment of the Ausable River through intimidation have not thus far resulted in the State of New York filing any trespassing charges against paddlers.  The State generally supports recreational use of its navigable rivers like the Ausable.  Paddlers wanting to paddle the river are encouraged to read this article before their trip and make their own decision on whether or not to paddle. 

If you live in the Northeast, chances are you've been to Deerfield Fest lots of times without even realizing how much work goes into putting it on. Every year we're short on volunteers, we need your help to put on this critical AW fundraiser! If you are interested in volunteering for the Deerfield River Fest, head on over to the Deerfield Fest Volunteer Page for full details and sign up.

The Northeast's most popular whitewater festival, Deerfield Fest, is happening this July 31st in the town of Charlemont, MA. It's American Whitewater's biggest event and fundraiser in the Northeast. If you're a vendor interested in being a part of Deerfield Fest head over to the vendor page to register.

Last weekend marked a major success for the paddling community: federally mandated river access at the power company lands at the put in for the Ausable Chasm.  Unfortunately, in a surprize move the Ausable Chasm Company, which owns the land in the river corridor, had police onsite to write trespassing tickets for several paddlers.American Whitewater is seeking legal assistance regarding this matter.  If you are an attorney in the State of New York and are interested in this issue, please promptly contact kevin@americanwhitewater.org. 

New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG), under an order from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), plans to open New York's Ausable Chasm to paddlers on Friday, June 18th, 2010. American Whitewater would like to thank our volunteer Jared Hogle for all his assistance on this project.  In addition, it is likely that more paddlers sent FERC comments on this issue than on any other FERC project in the Country.  Congratulations to all of you, and we wish you many great runs on the Ausable!  

Many paddlers are contacting AW about the Ausable Chasm, which was supposed to be opened to paddling for Memorial Day weekend based on a  whitewater recreation plan filed in November 2009.  All FERC needs to do is publish a simple letter accepting the plan, yet for the past six months they have failed to do so. With the Class IV+ Ausable at a perfect boating flow for the Holiday weekend, we regretfully report that the gate remains locked.

KCCNY’s traditional Annual Esopus Slalom is being enlarged and enhanced by the addition of a diverse array of other activities for whitewater paddlers, creating the Esopus Whitewater FunFest! This expanded event is designed to engage whitewater paddlers with a wide variety of interests and abilities.

Hanover, NH, March 4, 2010 ­ Ledyard Canoe Club of Dartmouth College is hosting its second annual river festival the weekend of April 16th-18th. The festival will take place in New Hampshire's Upper Valley with competitions on the Wells River as well as the Connecticut and Mascoma rivers. In addition to the 7th annual Wells River Rumble race, competitions will include a kayak rodeo, a triathlon, and the longest consecutively held whitewater slalom race in the country.  There will be festival party on Saturday evening at the DOC House on Dartmouth College's campus in Hanover NH.  Everyone is invited to come and enjoy live music, a kayaking movie premiere, food and beer, raffles, and prize giveaways.

The annual Hoosic River Whitewater Release into the Schaghticoke Gorge will be on Wednesday, April 21, 2008 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. American Whitewater and Adirondack Mountain Club negotiated these releases through a multi-year dam relicensing process. The Hoosic has something for everyone: an impressive Class V upper section featuring a 30 foot falls, and a fun Class III lower section featuring numerous play waves and holes.

The Army Corps of Engineers announced today that they will be releasing 1500-1800cfs all weekend (March 26-28).  Read the full article for details, and as always, be safe out there. 

American Whitewater is pleased to recognize Jared Hogle as our Volunteer of the Month for December, 2009.  Jared was and remains the leading local advocate for access to New York's Ausable Chasm and other regional rivers. In recognition of his efforts Jason will be receiving an OuterCore Long-Sleeve Shirt from Kokatat!

A private hydropower company has proposed to install hydropower generation facilities in two Army Corps of Engineers Dams on the West River (VT), including Ball Mountain Dam which provides releases into the popular whitewater section of the West. The Company, Blue Heron Hydro (BHH) is hosting a public meeting and site visit to discuss their proposal. Paddlers interested in the effects that the hydropower installation may have on the West River are encouraged to attend the meeting and site visit.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is currently investigating opportunities for restoring natural functions to the Connecticut River Watershed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.  TNC's efforts are focused on reconnecting rivers and streams, restoring floodplain forests, and managing flows for people and nature. AW is working with TNC, and we are hopeful that this process will benefit several whitewater rivers and their enjoyment. 

Come see American Whitewater at this year's Deerfield Fest July 25th in Charlemont, MA.

After 15 years, Deerfield Fest keeps gettting better! The fest will have no shortage of things to do and will feature vendors, food, boats, a silent auction, plus - and most importantly - the chance to begin or renew an AW membership! Not to mention all the proceeds of the event go towards funding American Whitewater's river stewardship.

There will be a release from Ball Mountain Dam on the West River this weekend to manage reservoir levels. Ramping will start late Friday (6/26/2009) afternoon.  Flows are expected to be 1500 cfs all day Saturday and most of Sunday (definitely in the morning).

Today, American Whitewater filed a formal challenge of a May 1, 2009 decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to prohibit public boating access to New York’s Ausable River for 7 months of the year, while allowing access the other 5 months. Securing 5 months each year of  public river access to this incomparable river - after decades of no access whatsoever - is certainly a major success for American Whitewater and the paddling community.  While we are challenging the unfounded 7-month annual closure, we would like to thank the many paddlers and organizations that wrote FERC in favor of public access to the Ausable River over the past several years.

It is time once again for the Whitewater Release at Brookfield's Schaghticoke Development on the Hoosic River (Schaghticoke, NY).  This year the release will be on the next saturday that sufficient flows occur.  American Whitewater negotiated these releases, and we hope that paddlers enjoy them.

By this time many paddlers are well aware that there will be no spring scheduled whitewater release on Vermont’s West River for the first time in decades.  AW and our partner groups in New England have been unsuccessful in securing these releases, after significant efforts were made over the past several months (and years).  The Army Corps of Engineers decided to release the water on April 1 without alerting the paddling community of this significant change.  We will continue to work with the Corps and the other agencies involved to improve communications and reach a more mutually agreeable release schedule for next spring.

Last week Senator Feingold (D-WI) reintroduced the Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA), S. 787. This legislation will maintain the basic protection for rivers that we all appreciate and likely take for granted through restoring the reach of the Clean Water Act to headwater streams.  We would like to thank Senator Feingold for looking out for one of our most basic human needs - clean water.   Please call your Senator in the next week and voice your support. 

American Whitewater has joined the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in their Green Power Partnership. AW has purchased enough renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Clean Currents, a leading supplier of wind energy credits, to offset energy usage in our national office.

Today, President Obama signed the Omnibus Public Lands Bill into law.  This action officially designates 86 new Wild and Scenic Rivers and protects well over 350,000 acres of public lands. American Whitewater actively participated in the development of several of the individual Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River proposals that were part of the Omnibus Bill.  We also advocated for the passage of the Omnibus Bill. This is truly a great day for rivers and wild places.

Paddling representatives were shocked this week to receive a letter from Richard Carlson of the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) stating that the spring release on the Vermont’s popular West River would be made during the week rather than on a weekend as has been the practice for decades.  This news follows an ACOE decision last fall to move the release earlier into the spring when the state park that provides access is closed.  We ask that West River paddlers take action on this issue. 

Our nation's leaders are currently considering the passage of a large economic stimulus package designed to put people to work and stimulate the economy.  All current versions of the package include significant funding for construction and restoration projects on federal lands.  American Whitewater has joined forces with other members of the Outdoor Alliance to compile a list of infrastructure projects that are important to the active outdoor recreation community.  Please offer your suggestions through our easy online survey.

Yesterday the US Senate passed a bill that, if also passed by the House of Representatives, will protect millions of acres of public land and designate dozens of rivers as Wild and Scenic.  The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (S. 22) is a collection of bipartisan and locally developed land and river protection bills that have been in the works for years.  Swift passage in the House is expected, and President Obama may sign the bill into law as early as Tuesday.

Despite overnight temperatures dipping into the 20’s this year’s Moosefest was a great time as always. Plus, unlike some years, there was no need to dig through snow to get to your gear in the morning as skies were clear and the sun shinning for most of the weekend.

This weekend (Oct. 18th), come renew or start your membership with American Whitewater in Old Forge, NY at the ever-popular Moosefest. Stop by the membership table and show your love and support for your favorite whitewater non-profit. Plus meet pro paddler and Team Dagger member Corey Volt and AW's Jeff Paine who will both be manning the table.

AW will be set up at Mountainman Outdoors Supply Company on Saturday, Oct. 18th, from 4-6PM. Later on that evening AW will be setting up at one of the local pubs, Slickers, from 10PM-12AM.

The USGS announced today that a number of their streamgages are threatened by loss of funding.  The gages, located in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland are scheduled to be turned off on the last day of September of this year unless cost-share funding can be found.

A report released yesterday by American Whitewater finds that the flows mandated for the Saranac River's High Falls Gorge will likely fail to restore basic ecological functions to the river.  The report critiques the mandated flows using an analytical tool developed by the Nature Conservancy that compares human caused changes in certain aspects of flows that are ecologically important.

Earlier this month, the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) sent a letter asking the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to prohibit boating on the Mongaup River, except on scheduled boating release days. It is extremely unlikely that the DEC would take such an action, but AW and KCCNY will be responding just in case. 

Congratulations to Jeffrey Hatcher for winning the June pair of Smith Optics Sunglasses. With generous support from Smith Optics and Small World Adventures, American Whitewater is hosting a fundraising and membership drive ending on October 1, 2008. Steven Mills from Spring, TX was the winner of the April drawing for a pair of Smith Optics Sunglasses and Susan and Robert Glanville from Boston, NY were the winners of the May drawing.

Help AW protect rivers here in the states and you could win a trip with Small World Adventures in Ecuador.  Join or donate to be entered in for the next pair of sunglasses and the trip in Ecuador with Small World Adventures.  Anyone who joins or renews their AW membership or donates at least $10 to support our river stewardship efforts will be entered in a raffle to a week long trip in Ecuador with Small World Adventures and monthly prizes from Smith Sport Optics.

Boaters in the northeast have good reason to be excited this month. The Rio Project on the Mongaup River (NY) will reopen this month after being closed to recreation for nearly three years.  Releases will begin this month!

Yesterday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released its Environmental Assessment (EA) of boating on the Ausable Chasm.  The EA marks a critical milestone in the paddling community’s efforts to secure access to the beautiful Class IV Ausable Chasm.  The EA fully supports year-round paddling despite the power company's request for permission to totally block all paddling.  While the access plan will require several months to implement, an interim access plan could allow paddling this summer.

American Whitewater and Clif Bar are pleased to announce the 6th annual Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign, pledging $2,500 to American Whitewater Affiliate Clubs for river stewardship work. Funding for this very effective program is provided by Clif Bar. American Whitewater Affiliate Clubs have the opportunity to apply for one of two $1,250 grants. Grants will be distributed to clubs for projects that promote river stewardship, conservation, access and/or safety education on our nation’s rivers.