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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!

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!

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!

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.

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! 

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! 

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!

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.

The Army Corps of Engineers recently cancelled their review of the Flaming Gorge Pipeline in Wyoming and Colorado.  The project, proposed by Aaron Million, was originally slated as a water supply project, diverting 250,000 acre-feet of water annually 560 miles from Flaming Gorge Reservoir to Southeastern Wyoming and the Front Range of Colorado. This spring, Million indicated interest in adding hydropower to the project, and has stated that he will seek review with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission instead.  American Whitewater is tracking the issue.  

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!

A large coalition of conservation groups in Colorado, including American Whitewater, have announced their formal opposition to the Regional Watershed Supply Project (aka Flaming Gorge Pipeline). You can join us in protecting the Green and Colorado Rivers by signing our petition. For more information, the coalition is hosting a telephone town hall at 7pm on Wednesday July 27th, in which thousands of citizens are expected to participate in discussing the proposed pipeline and its flaws.

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. Paddlers wanting to run the Selway during the road closure period may put in upstream of the Indian Creek Bridge, however there are no designated or developed launch sites in this area.

AW is collecting contact information for a possible volunteer opportunity documenting the environmental effects of the Yellowstone River oil spill.  Read more if you are a skilled whitewater boater and are interested.

Colorado's backcountry is a human-powered recreation paradise. For paddlers we enjoy great rivers like the Animas or dropping Adrenaline Falls on Lime Creek. Right now the Colorado Roadless Rule that will guide management of these backcountry areas is open for public comment. We encourage all paddlers to weigh in.

The Secretary of the Interior recently announced a 6-month extension to his Department's moratorium on new uranium mining claims on over 1 million acres along the rim of the Grand Canyon.  This extension will protect the area while the Department of the Interior reviews the 300,000 comments received on their proposal to extend the protections for the next 20 years.

Washington DC - American Whitewater and Colorado River Oufitter representatives traveled to Washington DC to meet with Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Department of Interior today.  The Secretary's leadership on water issues in the Colorado River Basin, and opportunities for Public-Private partnerships were among the topics discussed.

Colorado - The BLM is acccepting final comments on the proposed permit and fee system for Ruby and Horsethief Canyons of the Colorado River.  Comments will be accepted from June 6 to July 6 - only one month. 

Photo Credit - Daniel Anderson

Pacificorp and American Whitewater have decided to cancel the Bear River (ID) releases this coming weekend (May 7-8, 2011) for a variety of hydrological, recreational and administrative reasons.  Following this weekend in-flow triggered releases will resume.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

Colorado - American Whitewater would like to announce our new part-time program staff in the Dolores River basin - Jay Loschert! Jay will be working with AW's Colorado Program Director to organize the local paddling community and to work with the US Bureau of Reclamation and our stakeholders in the Dolores to improve instream flows below McPhee Dam. Welcome Jay!

The Outdoor Alliance, a coalition of human-powered recreation organizations, seeks a highly motivated individual to fill a two-year Grass-top Advocacy Fellow position. The Fellow will build coalitions of climbers, paddlers, hikers, backcountry skiers and mountain bikers to positively impact conservation policy at the state, regional and national level.

The Bridger-Teton National Forest continues to seek public input for the next stage in creating its comprehensive management plan for the Wild and Scenic Snake River Headwaters. Paddlers are encouraged to review the background information and offer the Forest Service your feedback by taking a survey posted in this article.  Feedback is appreciated by April 11, 2011. 

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. 

Spring is definitely in the air and we want to give folks an update on the changes to expect this year for the Bear River Black Canyon whitewater releases, located in Southeastern Idaho.

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.

Colorado - American Whitewater is conducting a study of flow-recreation relationships for the Yampa Basin, and identifying specific metrics for use in the Watershed Flow Evaluation Tool. This study is intended to inform local, state, and federal planning efforts as to the full range and quality of recreational boating opportunities for the Wild and Scenic suitable Yampa River, as well as the Elk and White Rivers, and their tributaries. Your participation in the flow survey is requested.

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

American Whitewater is pleased to introduce our newest staff member.  Last week Megan Hooker, of Portland, Oregon accepted the new half-time Stewardship Assistant position with American Whitewater.  Megan will provide vital support on river conservation and restoration projects around the West, with a strong focus on projects in California. 

Colorado - On December 23, Governor Bill Ritter issued a report outlining a series of proposals for resolving disputes between landowners and rafters in Colorado. He also signed an executive order creating the River Access Mediation Commission to provide a way for some of the most contentious conflicts between boaters and property owners to be addressed. The Governor’s River Access Dispute Resolution Task Force was a 17-member group created in July of 2010 to help craft ways to sort out conflicts on Colorado rivers on a stretch-by-stretch basis as those disputes arise.

Colorado - In an effort to protect what little water is left in the Upper Colorado River, Grand County has filed for two Recreational In-Channel Diversion water rights in district court.  These rights are associated with two whitewater parks on the Colorado River. American Whitewater has worked with Grand County over the past three years to develop tools to protect river health, and provide a range of boating opportunities. These rights are part of a suite of protective measures we hope to unveil later in 2011.

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.

American Whitewater is pleased to recognize Todd Hoffman as our Volunteer of the Month for January, 2011.  River stewardship issues are really heating up right now in the Northern Rockies and Todd has been a big help, especially in Northern Idaho. Thanks Todd, and Congratulations!

Last month American Whitewater filed a motion to intervene and comments on a new proposal to dam northern Idaho’s Boulder Creek.  Boulder Creek is listed as critical habitat for the federally threatened bull trout, and offers paddlers a high quality steep creek experience.

Last week water was allowed to flow through a newly restored Clark Fork River channel flowing through the old Milltown Dam reservoir site, near Missoula, Montana.  We are happy to share some photos of this major river restoration milestone. 

The Park Service is seeking your advice on how to manage several newly designated Wild and Scenic Rivers in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.  Paddling is currently prohibited on most of these rivers.  We encourage paddlers to offer management suggestions that support river recreation and conservation before the end of 2010.

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. 

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are hosting two "scoping" meetings this week in order to help them craft a good management plan for newly designated Wild and Scenic Rivers in the parks, on several of which paddling is currently prohibited.  Paddlers are encouraged to attend these meetings, and/or submit written comments on this important issue. 

Idaho Rivers United is seeking affirmation from river enthusiasts that they represent your interest in protecting the Lochsa and Clearwater rivers from a massive effort to move "mega-loads" of oil infrastructure along the rivers. IRU has a short online form with which you can endorse their efforts.  

Today American Whitewater filed comments offering additional support for several rivers that the Shoshone National Forest found eligible for Wild and Scenic designation, and recommending that several additional streams be found eligible.  Eligible rivers are afforded interim protection from dams and certain other impacts. These comments were generated with the help of the regional paddling community. 

American Whitewater has put together a short flow study on the Wild and Scenic St. Joe River.  If you have experience paddling or fishing on the St. Joe, please take a few minutes to fill out this survey.  Also, please share this survey widely among the regional paddling and angling community. 

Earlier this fall the licensees who operate the Milner Hydro Project, submitted a proposal to amend the requirements of their license to include April as a month when whitewater recreation can be provided on the Milner Mile. Local paddlers and AW were consulted in the development of this proposal which was formally approved last week by FERC.

The Shoshone National Forest is in the process of revising their Forest Plan.  The Forest covers much of the rugged Wind River Range and portions of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone watershed.  As part of that process USFS staff are selecting which rivers they deem to be eligible for Wild and Scenic River designation. AW is asking for your help and involvement over the next week to provide feedback on this evaluation.

Utah - The National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management are developing a Comprehensive River Management Plan for the Virgin Wild and Scenic River. As paddlers, our input on what makes the Virgin River and its tributaries outstandingly remarkable will help protect this river system for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.

Between now and December 6th, we need your input!

Colorado - American Whitewater has recently brought our expertise to bear on Dolores River Management and is actively working to restore reliable and sufficient flows to the Dolores Canyon.

Today, we need you to join us in asking the US Bureau of Reclamation to take a leadership role in protecting the recreation and environmental values of the Dolores River. By signing on to our letter, you are demonstrating public support for Federal decisions that protect natural resources and enhance instream flow conditions.

American Whitewater is pleased to recognize Ian Foley as our Volunteer of the Month!

Ian invested an immeasurable amount of personal time and resources in coordinating releases on the North Fork of the South Platte River in Colorado. Ian worked closely with staff at the Denver Water Board to provide an additional 300cfs for the first annual Bailey Festival.

Thanks Ian! In recognition of his efforts, Ian will be receiving a custom OuterCore Long-Sleeve Shirt from Kokatat!

Fort Collins, CO – The Save the Colorado River Campaign Fund announced its grants for 2010. In total, $150,000 was donated to ten environmental groups from the top of the river basin all the way to the bottom – all working to protect and restore the Colorado River.

American Whitewater received funding to protect streamflows, and thus boating opportunities, in the Upper Colorado River Basin.

PPL Montana will reopen the road that provides access to its Madison Dam and public recreation areas immediately downstream in the Bear Trap Canyon for the Labor Day weekend. The road was closed after equipment atop the west side of the dam was damaged by a falling boulder from the wall of Bear Trap Canyon early Monday (8/30)

American Whitewater is collecting input from paddlers on this week-end's North Fork South Platte releases.

The first of it's kind release into Bailey and Foxton canyons will be evaluated for the quality of boating these additional flows provide.

Please join AW for the First Annual Bailey Festival, and participate in the flow study.

Kremmling, CO - The popular Pumphouse Section of the Upper Colorado River will be the site for a Pack It Out Campaign coordinated by the US Bureau of Land Management, in partnership with American Whitewater and NRS.

In an effort to reduce impacts from human waste on this popular overnight run, these groups are teaming up to educate river users and hand out FREE WAG BAGs on August 14th.

American Whitewater is pleased to release a short video celebrating our successful restoration of boatable flows to West Rosebud Creek downstream of the Mystic Lake Hydroelectric Project.  The video is also intended to raise awareness of a new proposal to dam and divert West Rosebud Creek immediately below the existing hydropower facility. 

On August 14-15, Denver Water is planning to release 300 cfs into the North Fork of the South Platte River. When combined with natural flows, we are expecting great boating levels in the Bailey and Foxton sections. Stay tuned as the event takes shape, but be sure to put August 14th on your calendars!

Colorado's Governor has created a Task Force charged with establishing a framework for landowners and boaters to efficiently and fairly resolve disputes over the use of rivers as they arise. The Task Force will NOT decide whether there is a "right to float" in Colorado.

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.

Fort Collins, Colorado - Northern Colorado Water Conservation District, one of the largest water providers in Colorado and the proponent of diverting Colorado's Wild and Scenic Cache la Poudre River into new reservoirs, has stolen the Save The Poudre Coalition's name and used it to mock elected officials, scientists, buisness leaders, and the public's interest it protecting the river.

American Whitewater is pleased to announce releases this coming weekend (July 10 and 11, 2010) on both the Black Canyon of the Bear River (ID) and West Rosebud Creek (MT).  Both of these rivers are Class IV/V and the releases are the result of years of hard work by AW staff, volunteers, and affiliate clubs.  Enjoy!

South Yuba and Canyon Creek Update 6/03/2010

South Yuba:  at JBR is running about 1500.  In the next couple of days it is more likely to go up, say by 200-300, than to drop.

Middle Yuba: above Our House Dam (Plumbago)  740 cfs  6 am June 3
After running these rivers, fill out the boater survey to help establish future flows in South Yuba and in Canyon Creek..  

The survey is at:  http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB2297AJ8Q9ZL

Next update 06/04/2010

Canyon Creek (CA)

175 to 200 cfs will be released into Canyon Creek through Thursday, May 20.  On Friday, May 21 through Tuesday, May 25, and maybe beyond, NID will release 300 CFS into Canyon Creek.

South Yuba (CA)

On Friday May 21 and Saturday May 22 PG&E will release 250 cfs from Spaulding Dam.  On Sunday, May 23 the flow is likely to increase.

In late March the Utah Governor passed legislation that allows landowners to prevent paddlers and anglers from traversing many of the state's rivers and streams. The new law will go into effect in one year, and is anticipated to have many negative effects on local tourism and outdoor industry economies, as well as the quality of life for Utah residents.  AW is now exploring which rivers may have potential for future public access protections with a survey. 

A proposal to ship massive pieces of oil extraction equipment from Korea across back roads in Idaho and Montana to Alberta is raising concerns from paddlers, conservation groups, businesses, public safety officials, and everyday citizens.   Comments on a portion of this project are due May 14, 2010.

Join Mountain Whitewater Descents on May 22nd to help clean-up the banks of the Cache la Poudre River.

On Monday, March 29, 2010, American Whitewater joined a diverse group of stakeholders in signing and submitting two inter-related settlement agreements that call for the continued operation of Boundary Dam on the Pend Oreille River, enhanced operation of Sullivan Dam on the natural Sullivan Lake, and the removal of Mill Pond Dam on Sullivan Creek.  The agreements are the culmination of over three years of consistent efforts to resolve issues related to the surrender of the Sullivan Project, located in northeastern Washington. 

On March 18, 2010 the Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) released their new management plan for the Blackfoot River.  After conducting their analysis and considering public input, FWP decided not to institute a limited permit system on the Blackfoot.

Your help is critical to passing House Bill 1188 and protecting the general publics right to float in Colorado. The last time the State's General Assembly considered a river access bill was 1996. The bill didn't even make it to the House floor. Please make sure this precious opportunity to clarify and codify the right to float is not squandered.

American Whitewater staff and members of Colorado Whitewater provided testimony yesterday on HB 10-1188 in the Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee.

After over 7 hours of testimony, the Committee voted 4-3 to move the bill into the full Senate for debate.  Thanks to the efforts of CW and AW, the senate has  amended the bill to include all paddlers, not just commercial outfitters, and moves Colorado closer to recognizing the publics "right to float" on Colorado's Rivers.

Last week American Whitewater sent a letter to the Utah legislature opposing HB 141, a bad stream access bill that is currently under consideration by the Rules Committee.  We are hopeful that the Executive Appropriations Committee will chose not to fund this bill because it is a waste of money in economically tight times.  Calls from paddlers to the Executive Appropriations Committee highlighting the potential impacts of this bill would be useful in educating Committee members. 

After several years of international diplomacy, last month the Governor of Montana and the Premier of British Columbia signed an agreement permanently halting proposed mining and petroleum extraction in the Canadian portion of the North Fork of the Flathead River's watershed.  Last week Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester introduced legislation that would offer the same protections for the watershed on our side of the border.   Together, the recent actions of Montana and British Columbia will protect one of our Nation's last best rivers. 

This spring, the Colorado Legislature is considering a bill, which helps protect the rights of commercial boaters to float on commercial sections of river, and increases the safety of boaters by decriminalizing incidental contact with private land to portage obstacles. HB -1188 is a good bill, but doesn't go far enough! HB-1188 passed out of the House by a vote of 40-25, and is scheduled to be introduced in the Senate Judiciary Committee for a vote on March 17th. We urge you to contact members of Colorado’s Senate Judiciary Committee and ask them to support HB-1188, and to amend the bill to include all members of the paddling public.

A couple of Colorado media outlets came out opposed to HB 1188! But we can fight back and let our opinions be heard too.

VOTE NOW in the ONLINE POLL - it takes 1 minute!

A landmark legislative battle is playing out right now in the state of Utah regarding the rights of paddlers to traverse the state's rivers. A 2008 court case clarified the public's right to paddle and fish Utah rivers.  In response, legislators have sought to pass new laws that redefine the rights of the public. The fate of two competing bills will determine whether paddlers will be able to continue enjoying Utah Rivers or not. 

Whether you are a Colorado Resident, or someone who travels to Colorado to hit the peak paddling season each year, we need your help to ensure all boaters have safe access on all Colorado rivers.  AW asks that you Contact Colorado's State Legislators and Urge them to Add Private Boaters to the “River Outfitter Bill”.
 

The Colorado legislature is considering House Bill 10-1188 (HB-1188), legislation that attempts to clarify Colorado’s river access laws.  As written, HB-1188 is limited to commercial outfitters and sections of river that have been commercially rafted. AW continues to work to amend the bill to include private paddlers, and is neither supporting or opposing the bill at this time.

American Whitewater is pleased to announce that our Colorado Stewardship Program has been granted additional foundation support for it's work in the Dolores River basin. Funding for our Dolores River Project will enable AW to grow our advocacy role in the Dolores River basin, and engage our membership and affiliate networks to put to use the tools, resources, and partnerships available through our Stewardship Program.

Due to the current weather predictions, the US Army Corps of Engineers has cancelled the public meeting scheduled for Summit County (December 8). The meeting will be rescheduled for January 2010. Stay tuned for meeting anouncement.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has added a public hearing on the Moffat Collection Project.  Date: December 8, 2009  Location: Keystone Conference Center (0633 Tennis Club Road, Keystone, CO, 80435)  Time: Open House 4:00 pm; Public Hearing begins at 6:00 pm

Earlier this year Cody Erhart, a recent landscape architecture program graduate, produced images for American Whitewater depicting what Sullivan Creek (WA) might look like following the removal of Millpond Dam.  We are pleased to share these images which are a blend of science and art aimed at facilitiating discussion about the future of Sullivan Creek. 

To meet their projected future water needs, Denver Water proposes to develop 18,000 acre-feet per year of new water from the Upper Colorado River basin.  Denver Water's  prefered project, currently being evaluated by the Army Coprs of Engineers (ACOE), includes raising Gross Reservoir on South Boulder Creek in Boulder County to store an additional 72,000 acre-feet of water from the Fraser River and Upper Colorado basin.

AW is evaluating how severely the project will impact paddling opportunities in the Upper Colorado and Boulder Creek drainages.

For more info, attend one of three public hearings announced by the ACOE.

Earlier this week FERC granted a permit that gives a private company sole rights to study and seek to develop a damaging hydropower project on Montana's famed Madison River.  The project would pipe water from Quake Lake around the Class IV/V Slide section of whitewater to a new powerhouse downstream.  American Whitewater and regional paddling clubs have opposed this project and will continue to do so.    

If you want to obtain a permit to float the Selway, Snake, Middle Fork of the Salmon, or wild main Salmon Rivers in 2010, you need to know about changes coming in the Forest Service permit lottery and launch reservation system. The Four Rivers Lottery is going “green”, incorporating an entirely online system as part of our desire to go paperless.

Right now the State of Colorado is accepting input on a management proposal for unroaded backcountry areas on Forest Service land including lands along Los Pinos, Piedra, Hermosa Creek, Mad Creek, Saint Vrain River, Conejos River, Lime Creek, Upper Animas River, Cache la Poudre, Elk River, and the Taylor River. Even though Americans already decided to protect ALL roadless areas in the Forest System through a federal plan in 2001, a plan that has been upheld in recent court decisions, the state continues to push a plan that includes some troubling provisions that impact the backcountry experience our community enjoys.

Public Notice - Regional Watershed Supply Project proposed by Million Conservation Resource Group.

The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers announces the scoping comment period for the Flaming Gorge/Green River Pumpback has been extended to September 28, 2009.

By the end of September, the Upper Colorado River Stakeholders Group will submit a local resource management plan alternative for the US BLM's Kremmling and Glenwood Springs Field Offices.  American Whitewater has worked for over two years to represent paddlers in the negotiations, ensuring the plan explicitly protects flows that support a range of outstanding boating opportunities in Gore Canyon, Pumphouse, and Glenwood Canyon. The alternative plan crafted by the group seeks to balance permanent protection for recreational values in the Colorado River; water project yield; flexibility for water managers; and certainty for stakeholders.

Fifty years ago today a 7.3 magnitude earthquake triggered a massive rockslide that dammed Montana's Madison River and buried a Forest Service campground beneath 80 million tons of rock. Recently, a power company pitched a plan to divert water from the lake that was formed behind the slide to a powerhouse in the valley below, which would severely impact the river. American Whitewater, Beartooth Paddlers, and the Jackson Hole Kayak Club filed comments last week introducing legal, recreational, and ecological arguments against the project.

Timberline Tours and American Whitewater Present the 2009 Gore Canyon Race
Saturday, August 22, 2009

This is the classic Class V whitewater race on the Upper Colorado River that brings together the finest whitewater rafters, kayakers and paddlers of all types of river craft. As always the race is open to all boaters willing to take on some of the best Class V whitewater in the state of Colorado. 

Spectators are welcome but remember: stay off the railway tracks!

The National Forest Service is currently in the process of implementing a new river management plan for the Wild and Scenic Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River. The USFS proposes to maintain all exisiting designated roads but take steps to curtail off-road use that is damaging ecological and recreational values of the river corridor. Today, American Whitewater submitted a letter to the USFS in support of their proposed actions. 

Earlier this year, the Idaho Legislature passed new legislation to provide funding for programs aimed at preventing the introduction of invasive aquatic species in Idaho. The new law requires boaters, both motorized vessels and non, to contribute to the Idaho Invasive Species Fund. For most paddlers, this means that you must purchase a $5 sticker for each boat you intend to paddle in Idaho each year, and stop at a boat inspection station each time you enter the state where an inspection station exists.

On June 18th the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a new 50 year license for several dams on the Spokane River, near Spokane Washington and Post Falls Idaho.  The license is based on several years of intense negotiations between the power company, tribes, agencies, and non-governmental organizations. Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club, Northwest Whitewater Association, and American Whitewater were involved on behalf of paddlers.  The results of the new license are significant, and paddlers will certainly notice some positive changes in the not too distant future. 

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the 2009 release program for West Rosebud Creek, located in Montana's beautiful Beartooth Mountains. Paddlers should expect optimal boating conditions on weekends beginning sometime in early to mid July and these conditions will likely continue well into August.  Read this article to learn how to predict flows, and enjoy West Rosebud safely!

Paddlers are reminded that based on nearly a decade of negotiations and study, Idaho's Bear River is finally benefiting from pulse flows that provide great Class IV and V boating as well as ecological benefits.  There are currently two different types of releases: scheduled and flow-dependent.  The dam owner has alerted us that flow-dependent releases are anticipated on both Saturday and Sunday of this weekend.

American Whitewater's Colorado Stewardship Director, Nathan Fey, talks with John Grace at LVM about the current state of water rights and whitewater in Colorado. Nathan goes on to explain what the threats are to one of the nation's most iconic rivers, and what we as whitewater enthusiasts can do to help. Not to mention you'll get to see some cool video of the Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park, the infamous Barrel Springs rapid in Glenwood Canyon of the Colorado and Gore Canyon too.

The US Army Corps of Engineers announced two additional meetings and an extension of the scoping comment period for the RWSP, also known as the Green River Pumpback. One of the proposed benefits of the RWSP, the largest water project in Colorado's history, is the mitigation of future pressure on the Upper Colorado River and the state's western slope rivers.  With the recent ACOE announcement, western slope communities will have a chance to review and comment on the proposed project. The comment period has been extended until July 27, 2009 and two additional scoping meetings will be conducted in both Grand Junction and Craig, Colorado.

The 7th annual Goden Community Rodeo Series will kick off  Wednesday, May 20th. The GCRS is a series of freestyle kayak competitions spread across four Wednesday evenings each summer. The event has become one of Colorado's premier opportunties to build commuity and business relationships between whitewater paddlers, spectators, the paddle sports industry and local businesses. American Whitewater is a happy to sponsor this years event.

Whitewater enthusiasts will descend onto the historic town of Buena Vista on the Upper Arkansas River May 22-25th, 2009 (Memorial Day Weekend) for a huge kickoff party to celebrate the start of the summer whitewater boating season. American Whitewater will be there again this year  to give paddlers and river enthusiasts opportunities to learn about the issues facing Colorado’s iconic rivers, and what paddlers can do to protect and enjoy them.

We are excited to announce the 3rd annual South Platte River Cleanup on Sunday, April 26th in celebration of Earth Day in Denver, Colorado. This is an all volunteer event to pick up trash along the South Platte River and Bike Paths.

Last year, we saw over 200 rafters, kayakers, cyclists and pedestrians that successfully removed over 2 TONS of garbage from the river and bike path. This year we anticipate an even larger turnout. We have even more sponsors and prizes. This is a great way to give back to your community and take care of the river and bike path that wind through Denver.

Yesterday Montana Governor, Brian Schweitzer, signed into law a stream access bill that passed the Montana House and Senate with strong bipartisan support. The law recognizes that both rivers and roads are public highways and that the public can legally travel from one to the other.  At the same time the law meets landowner interests of protecting their land and livestock through attaching access-friendly fences to county roads and bridges through the public easement. 

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. 

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.

Green River, Wyoming - After much anticipation, the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) has announced the first set of public meetings on thecontroversial Regional Watershed Supply Project (RWSP)--also known as the Green River or Flaming Gorge Pumpback. The Project proposes to remove up to 250,000 acre-feet of water from the Green River at Flaming Gorge, sending it east through 500 miles of pipelines to Colorado's Front Range. The project also proposes two new reservoirs for Colorado's Front Range. The ACOE will be holding several meetings to describe the project, the NEPA process, and to solicit input on the issues and alternatives to be evaluated before permiting the RWSP.