Yankee Jim’s Access Delays, NF American River (CA)
01/15/2026 - by Jeff Venturino
Placer County Public Works has recently informed American Whitewater that planned walk-in access to Yankee Jim’s Bridge for paddling the Ponderosa/Shirttail section of the North Fork American will not be available for the 2026 paddling season or may not occur until very late in the spring. Several factors have contributed to the delay of access. Recent storms have caused soil saturation that is hampering contractors’ ability to complete earthmoving work without erosion or water quality impacts. This same soil saturation has caused road failures in a couple of places on Yankee Jim’s Road that have required repair before work can be completed. Curiosity about the project status has led many individuals to disregard road closures and, in some cases, even vandalize closure gates and equipment. In one instance a semi-truck disregarded the closure and required extensive recovery activity while hampering contractors’ ability to work. There is still significant earthmoving and blasting activity that needs to be completed before a safe path to the river will exist. Any additional updates will be posted to the American Whitewater river page for that section and may also be posted to the Placer County project website.
A Rogue River Adventure with American Whitewater
01/15/2026 - by Thomas O'Keefe
American Whitewater members are invited to join American Whitewater staff and board members for an exclusive trip on Oregon’s renowned Rogue River, June 11-14, 2026. The Rogue is one of the nation’s first designated Wild and Scenic Rivers and this trip blends outstanding whitewater, beautiful canyon scenery, and time to connect with American Whitewater’s mission and work. The trip will be fully outfitted by Northwest Rafting Company and includes professional guides, exceptional meals, all river equipment, and transportation to and from Galice. Participants may bring their own boat, rent a boat, or join as a passenger on one of the rafts. A portion of the trip proceeds supports American Whitewater’s river conservation work. To reserve a spot and for more details click read more below.
Securing Safe and Lawful River Passage in Colorado
01/14/2026 - by Hattie Johnson and Kestrel Kunz
The Colorado legislative session kicks off on Wednesday January 14th and American Whitewater has already had our lobby team at the Capitol talking with lawmakers about the importance of securing legal protections for people enjoying rivers. American Whitewater, Colorado Whitewater, and the American Canoe Association founded the Responsible River Recreation Alliance this past fall and continue to grow our coalition. That group is pursuing a bill in Colorado’s 2026 legislative session to clarify the public’s lawful ability to float, scout, and portage around hazards on Colorado’s rivers to ensure public safety, the health of outdoor recreation economy, and cultural values of river towns across the state. With the session set to begin, it is a critical time for your state reps to hear from you. Please use and personalize your letter in this easy action form today!
It's Permit Season!
01/14/2026 - by Thomas O'Keefe
If you haven't started already it's time to start planning for that big multi-day trip you've been wanting to do. American Whitewater's permit database can help you find the information you need.
Join American Whitewater on the Middle Fork of the Salmon (ID)
01/13/2026 - by Bethany Overfield
American Whitewater is pleased to offer a special six-day journey on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River, widely considered one of the crown jewels of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This trip takes place July 2–7, one of the most sought-after weeks of the season for ideal flows, warm weather, and stunning wilderness scenery.
The trip will be led by renowned kayak guide Phil DeReimer and the exceptional team at ARTA River Trips. You’ll be joined on the river by American Whitewater team members Dave Steindorf and Scott Harding, with opportunities for meaningful conversation about American Whitewater’s work protecting and restoring rivers across the country.
ARTA River Trips will provide professional guides, top-tier equipment, and outstanding meals. The trip is open to those who wish to raft or kayak, though space is limited.
Comment on Steep Water Quality Cuts Proposed in New Federal Rule
12/29/2025 - by Kevin Colburn
The Clean Water Act just can’t catch a break, and neither can those of us who like our rivers to be safe for people to enjoy. Earlier this month the administration proposed a new rule that would leave about 80% of wetlands unprotected and strip basic protections from vast numbers of rivers and streams. The implicit goal of the rule is to allow for more development and pollution at the expense of our nation’s water quality, flood resilience, outdoor recreation, and ecology.
The government has heard from industry groups that want more latitude to pollute and develop streams and wetlands–and they listened. Now they need to hear from the rest of us. We make it super simple using our easy-action form to comment opposing this new rule AND send a letter to your reps in Congress letting them know the Clean Water Act is not being applied as they intended–and to step up and protect this nation’s waters! If you have an extra moment, please read more and find out how to send a personal comment directly to the agency.
American Whitewater Secures Safer, Smarter Management for Slab Creek Run (CA)
12/18/2025 - by Scott Harding
American Whitewater just secured a key decision that improves how boater use and crowding is
managed on the Slab Creek Run of the South Fork American River in Northern California. By
shifting the trigger for additional whitewater releases to better reflect how boaters actually
use the river, the decision helps protect safety and the on‑river experience as use grows on this
amazing Class IV+ run. The outcome creates a clear pathway for adding more whitewater release
days when use grows, potentially tripling the number of boatable days and adding a fall season.
📷 Darin McQuoid
Help Restore Eel River Whitewater (CA): Comment on Dam Removal by Dec. 19
12/10/2025 - by Scott Harding
As the federal review begins on removing two obsolete dams from the Eel River in northwestern California, whitewater enthusiasts have a unique opportunity to speak up for restoring this remarkable river and securing public access once the dams come out. Please take a moment to submit a comment supporting dam removal and public access. Comments are due by 2 PM on December 19 (Pacific time).
Boaters Protect More Big Sandy Lands!
12/10/2025 - by Kevin Colburn
American Whitewater is thrilled to announce that over the past two months we purchased two parcels of land bordering the Lower Big Sandy River in West Virginia, providing critical recreational access and protecting three quarters of a mile of this special river. These purchases were made thanks to generous donations from the whitewater community, and are in addition to the 4.25 miles of river frontage American Whitewater purchased last year on the Big Sandy. With these purchases now complete, American Whitewater will be donating the lands to the West Virginia Land Trust for their permanent protection.
New Whitewater Reaches Await as Eel River Dam Removal Advances
12/10/2025 - by Scott Harding
Two obsolete dams on Northwestern California’s Eel River are slated for removal, marking one of the most significant emerging river-restoration efforts in the West. American Whitewater is working to ensure this historic transition creates opportunities for the public to safely experience newly restored whitewater reaches and witness the river’s recovery from a century of dams and diversion. Once the dams are out, the Eel will become California’s longest free-flowing river.
Big decisions coming for Chehalis River–proposed dam, salmon and flood response
12/09/2025 - by Thomas O'Keefe
Storm season in western Washington is upon us, and with it, the risk of atmospheric rivers bringing severe flooding. Nowhere is this more evident than in the naturally flood-prone Chehalis River Basin, where the debate about a proposed flood control dam on the upper river has reached a critical milestone with the release of the state’s draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The DEIS report from the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) details potential implications of construction and operation of this new mega-dam for salmon, fish habitat, recreation, water quality, water temperature, and many other ways the project could impact the river and its communities and ecosystems. The 75-day public comment period for the DEIS began on November 20th and will conclude on February 4th. You can make your voice heard by submitting written comments and testifying at one or more of five public hearings.
Shoshone Water Rights Accepted as Instream Flow
12/09/2025 - by Hattie Johnson
In a big win for the Colorado River, the purchase of water rights to protect and leave in the river flows that support river health and recreation was unanimously approved by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. On November 19th, the Board signed off on “the interest in the acquisition” of both the junior and senior water rights associated with the Shoshone Hydropower Plant as an instream flow. American Whitewater was a party in the contested hearing in front of the Board in support of the acquisition of the instream flow right. We jointly submitted a prehearing statement with the Colorado River Outfitters Association describing in detail the benefits to river recreation on the mainstem of the Colorado from Kremmling to Glenwood Springs. These are some of the most senior water rights on the river and keep boatable flows in the river through one of the longest boating seasons in the state. The Colorado River District and Public Service Company of Colorado, along with the support of the Colorado Water Conservation Board staff, were asking the state to accept the donation of these water rights as an instream flow and to ensure that the Colorado River District would have a say in how they are operated.
American Whitewater Online Store Offers Array of Gifts
12/08/2025 - by Bethany Overfield
If you’re holiday shopping for the river enthusiasts in your life, we have some stellar merchandise available in our webstore! Proceeds from webstore sales help propel our river stewardship work so you can feel extra good about gifting with American Whitewater. Of course, you’re encouraged to treat yourself as well!
We have new camo hats, new mesh hats, 2026 calendars, a selection of wonderful books for adults and children and some great apparel. We also have our 2026 American Whitewater calendar, which is always a big hit. If you order this week you should get your goodies by late next week, so head over to the webstore now!
Defending Public Lands and Waters–Winter Stewardship Update 2025
12/08/2025 - by Evan Stafford
What does having safe access to clean water flowing through public lands mean to you and your family? For most of you reading this, we’d be willing to wager it’s incredibly important to your quality of life and that having intact and protected public lands is something you hold close to your heart as an American. Take a look at our 2025 Winter Stewardship Update to see some of the ways American Whitewater membership supports our work protecting rivers and creeks in our national parks, forests, and other public lands. Your membership dollars and donations are an incredibly efficient and effective way to show your love for public lands and rivers and to support your ability to safely access them. Plus bonus–all American Whitewater members with an active membership on Dec. 31 will be entered in a drawing to win a week of boating in Ecuador through Small World Adventures or a Dagger Indra Kayak (S/M, shipped to your door)!
Deerfield River: The Next 40 Years of Whitewater (MA)
12/08/2025 - by Robert Nasdor
A decade of advocacy efforts in the hydropower project licensing on the Deerfield River in Massachusetts has finally resulted in a new hydropower license that will preserve and expand whitewater boating and angling opportunities for the next 40 years! Whitewater releases on the Deerfield River are the result of 40 years of effective river advocacy that created the advocacy model, resulting in scheduled releases and river restoration on more than 100 rivers nationally.
Tax Smart Charitable Giving–Make the Most of the 2025 Rules
12/05/2025 - by Clinton Begley
As you plan your year-end giving, 2025 is a uniquely powerful year to make tax-smart, non-cash gifts that protect the rivers you love and strengthen your own financial strategy. Tax rules are scheduled to tighten in 2026, reducing the benefit of charitable deductions for many donors—especially those who use donor-advised funds (DAFs) or like to plan multi-year support. By acting before December 31, 2025, you can lock in today’s more favorable rules while sustaining American Whitewater’s work for years to come. If you would like to talk about a significant gift or multi-year commitment through a DAF contribution, appreciated stock, or other non-cash gift, please contact Clinton Begley at clinton@americanwhiter.org.
2026 Advances Southeast Release Schedule Announced!
12/04/2025 - by Kevin Colburn
American Whitewater and our affiliate clubs have spent the past 25 years working to restore flows to incredible Southeastern rivers impacted by dams. A lot of our work has focused on releases and access on Class II and III rivers, but we also secured releases in some classic steeper reaches previously dewatered by hydroelectric diversions. Each year we meet with power companies and agencies to schedule future releases, review ongoing ecology studies, and discuss any issues with the release programs. We strive to create a schedule with minimal conflicts to maximize recreational value. Below are the 2026 dates for the Class IV/V Cheoah, Nantahala Cascades & Upper, West Fork Tuck, and Tallulah rivers. Also 2026 marks the fourth year of releases on the Great Falls of the Catawba! Thankfully, none of these rivers were significantly affected by Hurricane Helene. Enjoy these releases, big thanks to all the volunteers and agency staff that make these releases possible, be safe out there, and we appreciate your support of this work.
American Whitewater Year-End Membership Drawings
12/02/2025 - by Bethany Overfield
As our way of saying, “Hey! Thanks!”, we're elated to announce that we have two great prizes for our end-of-year membership drawing for 2025. All current American Whitewater members as of Dec. 31, 2025 will be entered to win a week of boating in Ecuador through Small World Adventures or a Dagger Indra Kayak (S/M, shipped to your door). If you’ve let your membership lapse, now would be a great time to renew! If you’ve been sitting on the riverbank and haven’t yet joined, we’d love to have you as a member!
American Whitewater is a membership-based nonprofit organization, and we depend on our members to fuel the work that we do. This support goes beyond financial contributions—our membership base shows up for us as volunteers, advocates, and as die-hard river protectors. We couldn’t do any of the access, restoration, or conservation work we do without you.
Colorado Gives Day Happening Now!
11/28/2025 - by Kestrel Kunz
Colorado Gives Day is happening now through December 9! Donate today to have your dollars go even further in supporting American Whitewater’s river access work in Colorado. We need your support more than ever this year as we are tirelessly working to secure legal public access to Colorado’s rivers in the 2026 state legislature. Donations made through Colorado Gives this year will go directly to our Colorado Access Program and will ensure that your dollars are matched from the $1 million incentive fund.
Success: Klamath River Access Sites Staying Open (OR/CA)
11/19/2025 - by Thomas O'Keefe
Two weeks ago, the states of Oregon and California unexpectedly announced the seasonal closure of three of the new Upper Klamath River access sites. Pioneer Park West, Moonshine Falls, and K’utárawáx·u were scheduled to close from November 20 through March 31 — a move that would have cut off direct access to the Big Bend Run and the K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon Run during the very season when flows are typically at their best and affected take-out access for the Keno and K’íka·c’é·ki Valley runs. Thanks to rapid engagement by American Whitewater, strong support from outfitters, and calls from many of you, both states have now reversed course. All three access sites will remain open this winter, with only short, weather-dependent closures if conditions genuinely warrant them. This is an important victory for the boating community and ensures that the public can safely reach and enjoy the newly undammed Klamath River during its prime winter and early spring season.