National Park Service Shares 2024 Gauley Season Details (WV)
08/23/2024 - by Kevin Colburn
American Whitewater is happy to share an open letter to boaters from the great rangers and staff of the Gauley River National Recreation Area, which contains some new information this year. This letter will keep you up to date on important management actions of the National Park Service on the Gauley River for the 2024 season. In addition, as part of our agreement with the land owner, there is no camping allowed on the Legg field that American Whitewater leases for overflow parking. As always, respect this and other private property. Enjoy, be safe, and be ready to help others out there.
North Fork Kern (CA) Kern River #3 Relicensing Comparative Flow Study
08/08/2024 - by Jeff Venturino
Southern California Edison is currently in the process of relicensing their Kern River #3 (KR3) hydroelectric project with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). In support of that effort they have been conducting a Whitewater Boating Study for the last two paddling seasons. We’re amplifying SCE’s request for participation in their Flow Comparison Study for flows on the North Fork Kern below Fairview Dam. Your participation can help to shape the future of flows on the North Fork Kern! More information about the KR3 relicensing is available at SCE’s relicensing website.
Watauga River (NC) Reopened to Boating, at Least Temporarily
08/08/2024 - by Kevin Colburn
On July 12, American Whitewater was granted status as an intervenor in a contested case pending in North Carolina challenging the rights of the public to recreate on short sections of the Boone Fork and Watauga Rivers upstream of their confluence. In addition, on August 1, the existing temporary restraining order was modified to include the following language: “This Order is not intended to, and does not, prohibit or limit navigation of the stream segments by individuals in kayaks or other recreational watercraft.”
Our ability to respond to this threat and others like it is an example of your member contributions at work. Without your support we would not have been unable to mount such a strong and swift challenge in this case. But we must remain vigilant. Please consider renewing your membership, or making an additional donation today to ensure we can continue to stay engaged, and be prepared to respond when new threats arise.
You can join or renew your membership here, or make an additional contribution via our donation page.
Restoring Flows in Colorado
08/07/2024 - by Hattie Johnson
American Whitewater has been advocating for healthy rivers and flows for recreation as an integral pillar of Colorado’s Water Plan since it was directed by an Executive Order in 2013 by then Governor Hickenlooper. Our flow study approach was later included in the plan’s nonconsumptive needs toolbox and, as recently as last year, our collaboration with river based businesses and conservation organizations made significant changes to the updated water plan. We’ve long identified a need to fully grasp the quantification of water needs for recreation and risks to them under future drier conditions. Over the past year we have been working to do just that on a statewide scale.
American Whitewater Releases Decision Making Tool for Gunnison River (CO)
08/07/2024 - by Kestrel Kunz
This Spring, American Whitewater released an interactive web tool that analyzes how flows in the lower Gunnison River meet environmental and recreational flow needs. The goal of the tool is to create a better understanding of the relationship between recreational and environmental flow needs in the Gunnison River and to inform reservoir releases when there is flexibility in the system. With the tool complete, we aim to work with both river managers and the general public to ensure that the tool is used effectively to help educate river users and inform river management. If you are interested in learning more about the tool and how to use it or if you have feedback about the tool, please reach out to Kestrel Kunz at kestrel@americanwhitewater.org.
Thank you for completing our community survey!
08/02/2024 - by American Whitewater
Your voice is an essential contribution to our work, thank you for helping shape the path ahead.
By completing this survey you have been entered into a prize drawing - winners will be drawn and
announced this fall.
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-The American Whitewater Team
Local Counties' Proposal Falls Short at Protecting the Dolores River (CO)
07/28/2024 - by Kestrel Kunz
American Whitewater responds to a proposal from Mesa and Montrose Counties in Colorado that does not adequately protect the Dolores River and it's broader landscape. The canyons, mountains, and tributaries that surround the Dolores River make up the most biodiverse and largest unprotected landscape in Colorado. Rivers and their surrounding landscapes are interconnected and in order to have a healthy watershed the management of the adjacent lands is very important. The two counties' proposal encompasses only 7.5% of the landscape proposed for protection by American Whitewater and our partners. It’s been over 50 years since people came together to try and protect this landscape. With the increasing threat of climate change, destructive development, and an exploding population, the Dolores River and its canyons can’t afford to wait another decade or even another 5 years before action is taken.
Keep Updated on Rivers Affected by Fires with the AW Wildfire Info Map
07/25/2024 - by Scott Harding
It's peak fire season in much of the country and active wildfires are currently burning along several whitewater rivers in the West. Be sure to check the American Whitewater Wildfire Information Map for the latest details on whether there's an active wildfire that could affect your time on the river. It's the only map that combines detailed information on whitewater runs with constantly updated fire locations, air quality info, and more.
- Take Action! Georgia Right to Paddle Imperiled
07/22/2024 - by Kevin Colburn
The Georgia General Assembly has embarked on a process that could result in a sweeping loss of the public’s right to paddle rivers in Georgia. Following some legislative back-and-forth, a committee is now formally convening that will address the matter and may choose to issue a list of streams that they consider to be open to public use under civil-war-era state law. American Whitewater feels strongly that the General Assembly should support outdoor recreation through codifying a modern set of public river use rights rather than attempt to delineate every stream that is or is not open to the public. Read on to see some tangible steps that paddlers can take to help.
Gauley Paddlers Encouraged to Step Up Safety
07/10/2024 - by Kevin Colburn
This year we want to encourage boaters to have a great time on the Gauley, but to also keep it classy and keep the safety of your group and others front of mind. Here are some tips, based on conversations with the National Park Service and our own recommendations as fellow paddlers. Every fall the predictable flows, sublime scenery, and powerful rapids of the Gauley bring boaters together from vast distances for something of an annual reunion in a National Park setting. Mixed into the roar of the rapids are the cheers of river runners celebrating each other’s good and bad lines, and at times the joy of the river and community fuels a party-like atmosphere on the river. At the same time, the Gauley River has significant hazards that claim lives with sobering regularity.
Take action! Ensure Impacts to Dolores River Are Fully Analyzed
07/10/2024 - by Hattie Johnson
Flows in the Dolores River below McPhee Dam depend on how its dam and irrigation infrastructure are operated. Since the construction of the dam, boatable flows are only available in years when the reservoir is overflowing. Native fish and a healthy and diverse riparian corridor are dependent on these wildly variable dam releases. Two agreements that direct the operations and water management for McPhee Dam are up for renewal in 2025. Flows have been less consistent over the past 24 years and have resulted in significant impacts to boaters, fish, and riparian habitat. We believe that an environmental analysis of those agreements must be updated before the current agreements are renewed, for the health of the river and to be legally compliant with the National Environmental Policy Act. Use this easy-action form to help us in asking the Bureau of Reclamation to fully analyze the impacts of future Dolores Project operations on environmental, cultural and recreational values.
Gore Fest is ON! August 23-25
07/10/2024 - by Hattie Johnson
American Whitewater is hosting the festival at Pumphouse Recreation Area in partnership with Whitewater Racing LLC who will be bringing you the beloved race through Gore Canyon. We are grateful for them to host the big race. Please check their website for more race details. American Whitewater will be supporting the festivities and be there for you to join or renew your membership and learn more about our work in the region. Join us starting on Friday August 23rd and camp through the weekend at Pumphouse. Camping is reservable on rec.gov but currently fully reserved at Pumphouse during the event.
113 Miles of River Protections Finalized in Colorado!
07/09/2024 - by Kestrel Kunz
In June, we welcomed river protections for 22 new river segments across 113 river miles in Colorado’s western slope. American Whitewater has been advocating for durable river protections and smart recreation management on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) since 2016. We are happy to celebrate the end of the GMUG Forest Plan revision process with a number of hard earned wins. The success is in large part because of letters, stories, and photos that our members contributed to this effort. Photo by Dustin Brown, Scenic River Tours
Legislation Seeks Study of Fees and Reservation Systems
07/01/2024 - by Kevin Colburn
New legislation being considered in Congress would require a federal inquiry into reservation systems being used by land managers to allocate recreational opportunities on public lands - most prominently recreation.gov. The legislation, called the RESERVE Federal Land Act, which is short for ‘‘Review and Evaluation of Strategies for Equal Reservations for Visitor Experiences Federal Land Act,” seeks answers to some very good questions about transparency, equity, financial benefits, and best practices for allocating recreational use. Boaters are encouraged to use our easy-action form to contact your US Senators and share your views on this legislation.
Contested Case Closes Portion of Watauga River, AW Moves to Intervene (NC)
06/24/2024 - by Kevin Colburn
American Whitewater has requested intervention in a contested case pending in the Office of Administrative Hearings challenging the rights of the public to recreate on sections of the Boone Fork and Watauga River, located near Boone, North Carolina. Our intervention is intended to provide the tribunal with factual evidence that the rivers are regularly paddled, legally and physically navigable, and thus open to the public for paddling. Paddlers that have run these sections are encouraged to contact American Whitewater through this form to help us document paddling use of these streams.
Fall River Dam Relicensing Kicks Off (ID)
06/18/2024 - by Kevin Colburn
The Fall River is home to a gem of a whitewater run flowing through a low canyon set in agricultural fields in Southeast Idaho, just west of Yellowstone National Park. A hydropower dam that regulates the flows in the whitewater run is up for relicensing starting this summer. The 5-year dam relicensing process will likely result in a new 30-50 year license for the dam in 2029. The new license could include improved instream flows and public access, and American Whitewater will be participating in the process with the help of local paddlers to seek such improvements.
Colorado Water Quality Control Commission Votes to Protect 15 Streams
06/12/2024 - by Hattie Johnson
On June 12, the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission voted unanimously to approve a proposal to designate 385 miles of rivers and creeks as Outstanding Waters, ensuring these pristine waters will be preserved in that condition well into the future. The designations will be finalized at the Commission's upcoming August meeting. The Colorado River Basin Outstanding Water Coalition included American Whitewater, alongside several other groups representing anglers and environmental advocates. The coalition collected years of water quality data, vast and impressive support from stakeholders, and evidence of threats to these headwaters streams.
North Fork American River (CA) Yankee Jim’s Bridge Replacement Project Update
06/12/2024 - by Jeff Venturino
Access to the North Fork American at Yankee Jim’s bridge is likely to be different in the next few years. Placer County Public Works is currently in the process of replacing Yankee Jim’s Bridge with an intended timeline of initiating construction in October of 2024. American Whitewater has been working with Placer County Public Works to develop an improved river access, including a railing that can be used to slide rafts to and from the river, and to minimize impacts to paddlers during and after construction.
2024 Gauley Fest Vendor Registration is Live!
06/10/2024 - by Bethany Overfield
We’re excited to kick start 2024 Gauley Fest planning! Started in 1983 to celebrate the derailment of a hydro-electric project that would have disrupted the flows on the Gauley River, Gauley Fest has grown to become the largest paddling festival in the world. The Gauley Fest vendor marketplace is second to none for reaching the whitewater boating and outdoor community in the US.
The 2024 Festival will take place from September 19th through September 22nd. We’ll be posting more details in the coming weeks, but Vendors can register for booth space now!
2024 Gauley Fest Vendor Registration is Live
06/10/2024 - by Bethany Overfield
We’re excited to kick start 2024 Gauley Fest planning! Started in 1983 to celebrate the derailment of a hydro-electric project that would have disrupted the flows on the Gauley River, Gauley Fest has grown to become the largest paddling festival in the world. The Gauley Fest vendor marketplace is second to none for reaching the whitewater boating and outdoor community in the US.
The 2024 Festival will take place from September 19th through September 22nd. We’ll be posting more details in the coming weeks, but Vendors can register for booth space now!