Earlier this year Cody Erhart, a recent landscape architecture program graduate, produced images for American Whitewater depicting what Sullivan Creek (WA) might look like following the removal of Millpond Dam. We are pleased to share these images which are a blend of science and art aimed at facilitiating discussion about the future of Sullivan Creek.

Earlier this week FERC granted a permit that gives a private company sole rights to study and seek to develop a damaging hydropower project on Montana's famed Madison River. The project would pipe water from Quake Lake around the Class IV/V Slide section of whitewater to a new powerhouse downstream. American Whitewater and regional paddling clubs have opposed this project and will continue to do so.

If you want to obtain a permit to float the Selway, Snake, Middle Fork of the Salmon, or wild main Salmon Rivers in 2010, you need to know about changes coming in the Forest Service permit lottery and launch reservation system. The Four Rivers Lottery is going "green", incorporating an entirely online system as part of our desire to go paperless.

Right now the State of Colorado is accepting input on a management proposal for unroaded backcountry areas on Forest Service land including lands along Los Pinos, Piedra, Hermosa Creek, Mad Creek, Saint Vrain River, Conejos River, Lime Creek, Upper Animas River, Cache la Poudre, Elk River, and the Taylor River. Even though Americans already decided to protect ALL roadless areas in the Forest System through a federal plan in 2001, a plan that has been upheld in recent court decisions, the state continues to push a plan that includes some troubling provisions that impact the backcountry experience our community enjoys.

Public Notice - Regional Watershed Supply Project proposed by Million Conservation Resource Group.

The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers announces the scoping comment period for the Flaming Gorge/Green River Pumpback has been extended to September 28, 2009.

By the end of September, the Upper Colorado River Stakeholders Group will submit a local resource management plan alternative for the US BLM's Kremmling and Glenwood Springs Field Offices. American Whitewater has worked for over two years to represent paddlers in the negotiations, ensuring the plan explicitly protects flows that support a range of outstanding boating opportunities in Gore Canyon, Pumphouse, and Glenwood Canyon. The alternative plan crafted by the group seeks to balance permanent protection for recreational values in the Colorado River; water project yield; flexibility for water managers; and certainty for stakeholders.

Fifty years ago today a 7.3 magnitude earthquake triggered a massive rockslide that dammed Montana's Madison River and buried a Forest Service campground beneath 80 million tons of rock. Recently, a power company pitched a plan to divert water from the lake that was formed behind the slide to a powerhouse in the valley below, which would severely impact the river. American Whitewater, Beartooth Paddlers, and the Jackson Hole Kayak Club filed comments last week introducing legal, recreational, and ecological arguments against the project.

Timberline Tours and American Whitewater Present the 2009 Gore Canyon Race
Saturday, August 22, 2009

This is the classic Class V whitewater race on the Upper Colorado River that brings together the finest whitewater rafters, kayakers and paddlers of all types of river craft. As always the race is open to all boaters willing to take on some of the best Class V whitewater in the state of Colorado.

Spectators are welcome but remember: stay off the railway tracks!

The 7th annual Goden Community Rodeo Series will kick off Wednesday, May 20th. The GCRS is a series of freestyle kayak competitions spread across four Wednesday evenings each summer. The event has become one of Colorado's premier opportunties to build commuity and business relationships between whitewater paddlers, spectators, the paddle sports industry and local businesses. American Whitewater is a happy to sponsor this years event.

Whitewater enthusiasts will descend onto the historic town of Buena Vista on the Upper Arkansas River May 22-25th, 2009 (Memorial Day Weekend) for a huge kickoff party to celebrate the start of the summer whitewater boating season. American Whitewater will be there again this year to give paddlers and river enthusiasts opportunities to learn about the issues facing Colorado's iconic rivers, and what paddlers can do to protect and enjoy them.

We are excited to announce the 3rd annual South Platte River Cleanup on Sunday, April 26th in celebration of Earth Day in Denver, Colorado. This is an all volunteer event to pick up trash along the South Platte River and Bike Paths.

Last year, we saw over 200 rafters, kayakers, cyclists and pedestrians that successfully removed over 2 TONS of garbage from the river and bike path. This year we anticipate an even larger turnout. We have even more sponsors and prizes. This is a great way to give back to your community and take care of the river and bike path that wind through Denver.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the regulatory agency that manages many of the leases necessary to drill for oil and gas on public land, is planning an auction of parcels in southern Utah that has the potential to impact iconic southwestern rivers. American Whitewater has joined with the Utah Rivers Council, outfitters and other business owners to protest specific parcels scheduled for auction on December 19th.

Earlier today Governor Ritter announced that the State of Colorado secured a vital delay that prevents the Forest Service's rush to implement a new management plan for the state's pristine backcountry roadless areas. These landscapes represent some of the most outstanding recreational assets of the intermountain West attracting visitors from around the world. These areas include some spectacular whitewater destinations such as sections of the Animas and Poudre Rivers.