As the new year approaches, the staff of American Whitewater would like to share some important milestones from 2010. Support for this success came from its members, major donors, industry partners and foundations.  The efforts below and many more are supported through your membership in American Whitewater.

Dillsboro Dam Removal
After 100 years impeding the Tuckasegee River’s flow and fish, the Dillsboro Dam has finally been removed. American Whitewater worked for 10 years to see this project through to fruition and we couldn’t be more happy with the result. Read More…

Ausable Chasm Access
Another decade-long fight for river access that finally came to an end in 2010. For years, the local power company saw fit to ban paddling on Ausable Chasm, based on no legal authority. American Whitewater fought for paddlers and finally succeeded in June, 2010. Read More…

AW tackles Dolores River Flow Management!
Over the past 2 years, American Whitewater has received several requests for assistance from our affiliate clubs, volunteers, and partner organizations in the Dolores River basin. Given the current staffing and success of our stewardship program, we are now in a position to meet this need. AW’s Dolores River Project is using information from our recreational flow studies to defend boating opportunities and to negotiate reliable and predictable boating flows each year. AW has worked hard to secure the funding and resources necessary to hire additional staff and a team of consultants to help advance our strategy on the Dolores River. Read More…

First ever scheduled releases for the North Fork South Platte!
This year, Colorado paddlers had the opportunity to enjoy scheduled releases for the North Fork of the South Platte River, outside of Denver, Colorado. These kayaking flows were delivered in accordance with the South Platte Protection Plan, which was developed by water providers, environmental groups, recreation groups, governmental organizations, local landowners and many other interest groups as an alternative to Wild and Scenic river designation. One of the goals of the plan is to enhance whitewater recreation flows on the North Fork when possible but this is the first time a weekend event was scheduled. Read More…

Developed better tools in determining river flows
In 2010, American Whitewater in California helped to develop better scientific tools that will be used to restore better flows in rivers across the country. The snowmelt hydrograph dominates the flow patterns of most rivers in the West. Working with academics in river research, as well as resource agencies, we have helped to define how fast flows can recede from the spring snowmelt and not cause harm to the river ecosystem. We are putting this knowledge to use on rivers such as the McCloud, the Yuba and the Rubicon.

Progress on Boating-Banned Rivers (Merced, Tuolumne)
In July, American Whitewater had the opportunity to meet with the National Park Service to discuss the Wild and Scenic River plans for the Merced and Tuolumne Rivers in Yosemite National Park. This meeting was a valuable opportunity to inform and educate the Park Service on our interest as well as well as helping us to better understand the challenges they face in putting these river plans together. It is our hope that this process will lead to a lifting of the blanket ban on boating that currently exist in the Park. Providing opportunities for people to experience what is truly one of the most amazing places on the planet, while protecting it for future generations, is a task that we welcome and to which we look forward to working on with the National Park Service.

Condit Dam Removal Moves Forward
Ten year river battles seemed to be a recurring theme in river stewardship this year. Condit Dam is finally moving through the final stages for its removal, slated for Fall 2011. We couldn’t be more pleased to see this river-stifling derelict finally coming out. Read More…

Condit Dam Campaign Launched
American Whitewater joined several other partners working to protect wild forest and river watersheds on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. These watersheds are vital to the health of Hood Canal and Puget Sound and are critical habitat for wildlife, steelhead and salmon. Read More…