AW in the Lower Pacific
American Whitewater’s conservation program focuses on dam relicensing and continued protection of key watersheds on public land. American Whitewater is a founding member and current Steering Committee member of the California Hydropower Reform Coalition. American Whitewater has participated in the relicensing of 22 hydro projects throughout the state. Our goals are to secure annually scheduled whitewater releases, access improvements, real time flow information and improved instream flows for river ecological purposes.
Many of the California and Southern Oregon Rivers are in Dick Schwind's California Guidebook
California Rivers Through Native Eyes
02/10/2022 - by Theresa Lorejo- Simsiman
Reciprocity is the touchstone of the stewardship work we do here at American Whitewater. We never paddle solo when we enter a process to negotiate new hydropower licenses, defend river access, or speak out against detrimental dam proposals. We actively seek collaboration with individuals and groups mutually sharing our time, expertise, and resources for the protection of the watersheds we hold dear. Often these key partners include Native Communities who bring to the table the traditional knowledge of the lands and waters they have stewarded for time immemorial. To date however, there is scant Native information to be found in our National Whitewater Inventory of over 5,500 rivers. In the spirit of reciprocity, American Whitewater is offering our river database as a platform to share the Indigenous narratives of the rivers we enjoy. In California, we have partnered with the Redbud Resource Group to research, interview and chronicle stories of Native Communities. Redbud is a Native led 501c3 non-profit focused on improving education and public health outcomes for Native communities. For our first California River Through Native Eyes, we start with the North Fork Feather River from the Rock Creek Reach down through the Poe, homeland of the Konkow Valley Tribe of Maidu. You can read their story online and in our most recent Winter 2022 American Whitewater Journal.
Photo of Doctor Charlie Gramps Provided by Matthew (Gramps) Williford Sr.
CA State Water Board Orders More Water For Butte Creek
08/18/2016 - by Dave Steindorf
The California State Water Resources Control Board has ordered the decommissioning of the Centerville Powerhouse on Butte Creek to protect spring run salmon. This is part of a relicensing agreement that American Whitewater has been working on since 2003. As a result, Butte Creek, located in Northern California will be receiving more water.
New Gauges On The Kern River
12/01/2015 - by Dave Steindorf
After 3 years of discussion and negotiation with Southern California Edison and the US Forest Service the Kern River has several new online flow gauges on the Upper Kern River. These gauges will replace the cumbersome and antiquated flow phone that was part of the Kern River #3 license.
Improved Flows on the Yuba - One Step Closer (CA)
12/29/2014 - by Dave Steindorf
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Yuba/Bear and Drum Spaulding projects in Northern California. Our review of this 1000 page documents says that it spells good things for boaters.
AW Calls for Public Hearing - River Access & Bridges in CA
07/09/2012 - by Megan Hooker
Under utilized provisions of the California Streets and Highway Code require that an Access Feasibility Study be conducted when a new bridge is built, and American Whitewater wants to make sure they are completed. Today, American Whitewater requested a public hearing regarding the Access Feasibility Study that was done for the SR 99 Bridge over the Feather River conducted by Caltrans. This is a good opportunity for California residents to get involved and improve river access - not just on the Feather, but on any new bridge project in your area!
DWR Releases Oroville Whitewater Park Feasibility Study (CA)
02/02/2010 - by Dave Steindorf
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released the whitewater park feasibility study on the Feather River in Oroville California. Download the report and attend the meeting on February 4th in Oroville.
Associated News
Associated Projects
Clean Water Act
American Whitewater's advocacy to protect water quality.
Conservation System
The National Landscape Conservation System represents the crown jewels of BLM lands and rivers.
Feather River (CA)
AW's work to restore the Feather River
Kern River (CA)
American Whitewater's history on the Kern River.
Klamath Restoration (OR & CA)
American Whitewater supports restoration of the Klamath River for the benefit of salmon while providing appropriate opportunities for whitewater recreation.
McCloud (CA)
American Whitewater has been involved with the FERC relicensing process for the McCloud River below McCloud Dam since 2006.
Merced Wild and Scenic River
American Whitewater's advocacy to maintain the boundary of the Merced Wild and Scenic Merced River.
Mokelumne (CA)
AW negotiated releases, access, and other previsions on the Mokelumne through a dam relicensing process.
Pit River (CA)
AW's restoration of the Pit River.
San Joaquin (CA)
The "Big Creek" dam relicensing on the San Joaquin River is one of AW's landmark river restoration successes in California
San Joaquin River Gorge Protection
American Whitewater is working to protect the San Joaquin River Gorge and preserve and its free-flowing nature.
Smith River (CA/OR)
The Smith River is known for exceptional water quality and is free flowing from the headwaters to the ocean.
Yosemite Whitewater (CA)
AW advocates for opportunities to enjoy the unique and spectacular rivers of Yosemite National Park.
Yuba and Bear Rivers (CA)
The Yuba and Bear rivers are some of the best whitewater resources in California. American Whitewater is an active participant in the FERC relicensing negotiations that impact these rivers.
Associated Rivers
Documents
West Coast River Touring (4/1/1974)
A whitewater guidebook to the Pacific Coast of the United States from the Rogue River to the Salinas Valley in California.
Upcoming Events
October 2024 |
||||||
S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
29
|
30
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
CA, Pit 1 Releases
08:00 am -6:00 pm america/los_angeles Actual flow can vary depending on inflow - at least 900 cfs |
5
CA, Pit 1 Releases
08:00 am -6:00 pm america/los_angeles Actual flow can vary depending on inflow - at least 900 cfs |
6
CA, Pit 1 Releases
08:00 am -6:00 pm america/los_angeles Actual flow can vary depending on inflow - at least 900 cfs |
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
CA, Pit 1 Releases
08:00 am -6:00 pm america/los_angeles Actual flow can vary depending on inflow - at least 900 cfs |
12
CA, Pit 1 Releases
08:00 am -6:00 pm america/los_angeles Actual flow can vary depending on inflow - at least 900 cfs |
13
CA, Pit 1 Releases
08:00 am -6:00 pm america/los_angeles Actual flow can vary depending on inflow - at least 900 cfs |
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
1
|
2
|
Events