New Mexico’s Rivers get Another Chance in Congress! 

04/25/2025 - by Kestrel Kunz

On April 18th, bill champions Senator Heinrich and Representative Vasquez reintroduced the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act. The bill, reintroduced for the 4th time since 2020, is set to protect nearly 450 miles in the Gila and San Francisco watersheds in southwest New Mexico.  Last month, we traveled to Washington D.C. to thank the New Mexico delegation for their continued dedication to protecting New Mexico’s last remaining free-flowing rivers and to discuss bill reintroduction. Please join us in celebrating this milestone for New Mexico and the hard work put in by Senator Heinrich and Representative Vasquez to protect the greater Gila River watershed for future generations! 

Lawmakers Pull Back Bad Bridge Access Legislation in NC

04/22/2025 - by Kevin Colburn

Earlier this year, North Carolina legislators introduced a bill that would have made using public bridges over rivers as put-ins and take-outs illegal. Thankfully, the language criminalizing river access was recently removed from the bill, SB 220, and is no longer a threat. We’d like to thank the many boaters that reached out to your state legislators on this issue, and the legislators that changed course. Boater outreach helped inform the legislature to step back from a bill that would have had major consequences. 

Extended South Yuba (CA) Flows Continue

04/15/2025 - by Jeff Venturino

Flows on the South Yuba River (CA) will continue to be closer to natural flows for a second year as Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) works to repair diversion and hydropower infrastructure connected to Lake Spaulding. Although PG&E typically makes deliveries to water users below Lake Spaulding through its powerhouses and low-level outlets, repair delays continue to prevent them from diverting water. While there are clear negative impacts to irrigators and other downstream water users, domestic water supply should not be impacted. Sections that will likely run later than usual again include Yuba Gap, Golden Quartz, Washington to Edwards, Edwards to Purdons, Purdons to 49, and 49 to Bridgeport.

Accident Summary for July–December 2024: Available online now

04/15/2025 - by Evan Stafford

Limited Edition River Inspired AW Gear–Only Available Until April 20!

04/15/2025 - by Evan Stafford

Show your support for American Whitewater with limited edition river inspired gear! American Whitewater has partnered again with FLOAT to bring you these tees, tanks, and hoodies, but only for a limited time! Celebrate the beauty of rivers and that ever important ingredient–flowing water! Purchasing these items directly supports American Whitewater’s stewardship efforts! We have several t-shirt and hoodie styles available and for every item sold FLOAT donates $8 to our program protecting, restoring and ensuring safe access and enjoyment of our rivers. Head on over to FLOAT and SHOP today–lots of fun colors and styles to choose from. Don't delay. . . this offer is only available this week and expires on Sunday, April 20th! 

Access to a Renewed Klamath River (OR/CA)

04/14/2025 - by Thomas O'Keefe

The four Klamath River hydropower dams have been removed, and this brings new opportunities for boating and experiencing the 45 miles of restored river. Before boating, river users need to learn about the new river reaches and know the current status of access points. We know everyone is eager to get out on the river, however some areas are not ready to receive visitors. It’s incredibly important that the boating community respect these closures and encourage others to help protect the area's natural and cultural resources. 

Klickitat River Hatchery River Access Closure (WA)

04/10/2025 - by Thomas O'Keefe

Major upgrades are currently underway to modernize the 75-year-old Klickitat Hatchery in southern Washington state, funded by a $35 million project from the Bonneville Power Administration. The hatchery is closed to the public during this time, including parking, all river access, and portage around the low-head dam at the hatchery. Due to the closure, boating from Parrots Crossing to Summit Creek or Leidl is not recommended, particularly due to hazards associated with the low-head dam. Experienced boaters familiar with the area may have the ability to navigate this stretch at appropriate flow levels, either running the dam or portaging below the ordinary high water mark. If you are unfamiliar or uncertain about navigating this route safely, we advise that you avoid attempting this run during the 2025 and 2026 boating seasons.

Boat passage at Poudre River Diversion Dam (CO) Moves Forward

04/10/2025 - by Evan Stafford

After multiple years of advocacy by American Whitewater, the local outfitting community led by Rocky Mountain Adventures, and our nonprofit partners, the City of Fort Collins has agreed to improvements that will allow for boat and fish passage at the Gateway Diversion Dam in the lower Cache la Poudre River canyon. These dam modifications will restore aquatic connectivity and nearly double the length of the Filter Plant run, one of the river’s most popular reaches and one of the few true quality beginner whitewater runs in the area.

Southeast Rivers 6 Months After Hurricane Helene

04/10/2025 - by Kevin Colburn

It’s been a busy and often hard time in Western North Carolina in the six months since Hurricane Helene. While many rivers in the region were unaffected by the storm, American Whitewater and many other groups and individuals have been working hard on the more impacted rivers. This article offers a quick run-down of some of what we’ve been up to and where things stand on rivers including the Nolichucky, Pigeon, French Broad, and Green.

Support the West Virginia Bridge Access Bill

04/10/2025 - by Kevin Colburn

The West Virginia Public Waterway Access Act would require that significant bridge construction projects include river access if it is safe and practical to do so. This common-sense bill would efficiently protect and improve river access across the state over time, and would benefit countless communities by providing simple close-to home paddling and fishing opportunities. In a state where boating is big business, this proposed law makes a ton of sense. If you live in WV, reach out to your legislators (house and senate) and share your support for Senate Bill 801, the West Virginia Waterway Access Act.

Opportunity to Comment on Need for Improved Access to Row River (OR)

04/04/2025 - by Thomas O'Keefe

The Army Corps of Engineers is currently updating their Master Plan for Cottage Grove and Dorena Lakes in the Willamette River Basin, Lane County, Oregon, and American Whitewater is encouraging the local paddling community to provide comments on the need for parking for day use and a trail to the river that is accessible to the public for hand-carry craft during the winter paddling season. This Master Plan identifies Future Management Needs for Recreation and references a need to “improve Row River public access” at Schwarz Campground, but provides no details on who this would serve or how it might be implemented. 

2025 Recreational Flows for Slab Creek & Ice House (CA)

03/11/2025 - by Theresa Lorejo-Simsiman

American Whitewater has negotiated 2025 recreational flow dates for the Upper American River Hydroelectric Project operated by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, including the Slab Creek and Ice House runs. Thus far, California’s snowpack and rainfall sets up excellent whitewater opportunities for the South Fork American River below Slab Creek Dam and South Fork Silver Creek below Ice House Dam. The forecasted water year for the watershed will give us six days of scheduled flows for Slab Creek and four days of flows on Ice House. Based on boater feedback, Slab Creek will have flow level days in the range of 850, 900, 1000, and 1100 cfs. Flows on Ice House will be 400 and 500 cfs.  

Photo provided by Trevor Croft Rafting Magazine

Help Stop New Access Fee and Bridge Access Ban in NC

03/10/2025 - by Kevin Colburn

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is proposing an annual $30 license to use the river access sites they manage, and at the same time legislators are proposing legislation that would make it illegal to put in or take out almost anywhere else, namely at public bridges and right-of-ways. Together these proposals squeeze boaters onto relatively few rivers where they must pay a fee. Obviously this is a huge problem and we need our community in North Carolina to take action by contacting your legislator and the NCWRC to protect our river access in the state. Let your NC rep know how you feel about the access bill by finding your legislator here and let the agency know how you feel about their proposed “Conservation License” here.

NF American River's (CA) Yankee Jim's Bridge Closing on March 24th

03/05/2025 - by Jeff Venturino

Placer County Public Works is moving forward with the replacement of Yankee Jim’s Bridge and a hard closure of the board on both sides of the river is likely to begin March 24th, although that timeline could move back a week or two. The road will be closed for the duration of the 2025 paddling season, and on the Colfax side until the end of 2027. In February 2026 there will be partial springtime walk-in access from the Foresthill side only. American Whitewater has advocated for improved access outcomes and temporary access solutions on this necessary public works project since its inception. Replacing the bridge will improve parking, provide a more durable and accessible stairway to the river, and allow for emergency and fire vehicles to cross the North Fork American now and in the future. Additional updates to the project and timeline will be posted at yankeejimsbridge.com.

Stewarding Our Public Lands and Waters Requires a Workforce

02/24/2025 - by Evan Stafford

Public land agencies like the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), National Park Service (NPS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have been chronically underfunded, and as visitors to these lands have increased, our workforce stewarding them has not. These agencies manage thousands of miles of rivers critically important to our clean water supply and recreation economies. They are now being stripped disproportionately of their on-the-ground staff who play a direct role in managing rivers and the infrastructure we rely on to access them. American Whitewater works closely with agency staff, and while we don’t always agree on every issue, we deeply respect the work they do and it’s important we speak up and defend them from unwarranted firings, which leave our public lands and waters vulnerable. Our public lands and waters need you to raise your voice in support of their workforce and we’ve made it super simple to do right now by reaching out to Congress using our easy-action form.

Grant Funding Freeze Creates Uncertainty for River Projects

02/12/2025 - by Clinton Begley

Federal grants play an important role in amplifying the membership contributions and donations that sustain American Whitewater’s mission. These grants account for a significant portion of our budget, supporting important projects that protect and enhance river access and recreation opportunities across the country. An example of recent success is the creation of our revised river safety code, open source river signage toolbox, and river safety video series, all produced under grant funding from the United States Coast Guard. We have also had several partnership agreements with the Forest Service and National Park Service over the years allowing agencies to leverage our expertise and skills to improve river access. A memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued in January has created new uncertainty around federal funding destined for all kinds of causes you may care about. This includes over $400,000 in grant funding awarded to American Whitewater for work this year. Although a judge in Rhode Island has temporarily blocked the memo, the future of these projects remains uncertain, threatening to stall or cancel efforts that benefit our members and local communities.

Protect America’s Outdoor Heritage

02/12/2025 - by Evan Stafford

The American system for preserving public lands and supporting its citizens' access to them has been the envy of the world, but it’s currently under attack. Use our easy-action form to ask your lawmakers to support a new bipartisan bill introduced by Congressman Zinke (MT-1) and Congressman Vasquez (NM-2) that helps keep public lands and waters in public hands by requiring congressional approval for the large-scale transfer or disposal of public lands and waters.

Support Colorado River Access with a Night of Films

02/10/2025 - by Hattie Johnson

Join American Whitewater and the Roaring Fork Kayak Club for a night of river films, including, River of Sorrows, on February 20th in Glenwood Springs at the Vaudeville Theater. Doors will open at 5:30 and films begin at 6. We are fundraising for incredibly important work to defend and expand legal access to rivers in Colorado. Access is foundational in our ability to enjoy, restore and protect our rivers. Rig to Flip is creating a new and exciting film to describe the confusing - and definitely not public friendly - state of river access. Get your tickets and enter to win awesome prizes here. You do not have to be present to win, so grab a $5 ticket and you could win a drysuit!

Comment Period Extended - Weigh in on Grand Canyon Fees and Management Today!

01/28/2025 - by Kestrel Kunz

American Whitewater is formally commenting on the drastic proposed fee increases for the Grand Canyon and you should too. At the start of the year, the National Park Service proposed a 244% increase for non-commercial permit fees for the Grand Canyon effective March 1, 2025. Non-commercial permit fees would increase from $90 to $310 per person. In addition, a new $55 fee is proposed for trips from Diamond Creek to Pearce Ferry. Comment on the proposed fee increase now! 

West Rosebud Creek Releases Now Scheduled and More Reliable (MT)

01/28/2025 - by Kevin Colburn

American Whitewater and our affiliate club, Beartooth Paddlers have worked with the power company and other stakeholders to simplify and schedule the summer recreational pulse flows on West Rosebud Creek, located southeast of Livingston, MT. For the past decade these dam releases have mitigated some of the hydropower project’s impacts on recreation, but their unpredictability caused challenges for visitors as well as dam operators. The new approach will remedy those issues, and now the public can plan their boating trips to West Rosebud Creek well in advance. Under the new approach, whitewater releases will be conducted the first weekend in July (Saturday and Sunday releases) and the second and third Saturdays (only) in July. These dates have been scheduled for the next ten years.