American Whitewater Scores Early 2022 River Stewardship Victories

Michele Crockett

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Evan Stafford American Whitewater Cataract Canyon

American Whitewater has some lofty goals for 2022, including getting some changes to the Clean Water Act reversed. The 68-year-old river conservation organization has already nailed some significant victories this year and is gunning for more.

“We’re trying to re-establish rules under the Clean Water Act that would define the waters that the Act covers as broadly as possible—so that it covers the headwaters of streams, wetlands, everything that’s connected to a watershed,” said Evan Stafford, American Whitewater’s communications director. 

Evan Stafford Cataract Canyon
American Whitewater Communications Director Evan Stafford surfing in Cataract Canyon (photo courtesy of Evan Stafford)

Other objectives on the list for 2022 include restoring watersheds and improving river resiliency in the wake of increased wildfires, protecting and enhancing access to rivers on public lands, and expanding Wild and Scenic protection for sections of 1,041 rivers across the U.S. American Whitewater’s goals change from year to year, influenced by the makeup of Congress and the Biden Administration’s goals on the federal level.

The recent focus on redefining waters was prompted by signals that a broader definition might fit with the Administration’s high-level policy objectives. American Whitewater has been working on several bills that would improve how resources are permitted through federal agencies. If successful, these initiatives would shift the focus of permitting to be more inclusive of recreation objectives and management plans. 

“There’s all kinds of fun policy stuff that gets rolled up in a big package that we hope will get past this Congress,” Stafford said.

Although the one thing most paddlers know about American Whitewater is that it maintains an extensive database of river beta, the second thing might be that the group has significant experience in federal policy work. As the American Whitewater website aptly puts it, the 12-member staff punches above their weight.

“We are leaders in the policy area,” said Stafford. “We’re fortunate to have a really strong and experienced group of staff members who have been with us for 20 years. They’ve been traveling to DC regularly throughout that period and advocating for all kinds of policy and stewardship work.”

Some of the 2021 victories that American Whitewater influenced include two Clean Water Act successes, acquisition of private timberlands along the White Salmon River to preserve access and protect forested lands along the river, and the $10.85 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, $2.3 billion of which provides for dam removal and river restoration and access.

Stafford attributes much of American Whitewater’s success to engagement from the community, citizens who reach out to their Congress members or to agencies that manage public lands.

“All these efforts really require the community to be engaged,” he said. “Making a ruckus really makes our job a lot easier.”

As an example, the Middle Fork Feather River’s Devils Canyon run was recently reopened, ending a two-year post-wildfire paddling ban imposed by the Plumas National Forest. American Whitewater won this victory with the help of citizens who sent nearly 1,000 comments to U.S. Forest Service officials. 

“Each of these fights is either hard won or a narrow miss,” Stafford said. “That one was a solid victory.”

Devils Canyon of Middle Fork Feather—access recently reopened thanks to nearly 1,000 letters to the Forest Service from the American Whitewater community (photo by Greg Lee, courtesy of American Whitewater)

Pandemic increased river stewardship interest

As with every other outdoor activity, participation in river running shot up with the onset of the pandemic, although interest has leveled off somewhat. What Stafford found refreshing was that the surge of interest in river conservation by new boaters hasn’t yet abated.

“More people getting out on rivers coincided with an increase in engagement and support for river stewardship work,” Stafford said. “People are more willing to take greater steps in stewardship work.”

The rise in the number of new paddlers prompted AW to do some work educating on the basics of river use ethics. The outcome was the Paddle Wise (#paddlewise) responsibility code for river runners, which laid out seven directives to make paddling safer and more pleasant for all, including tips to paddle smart, paddle prepared, and paddle inclusive. 

American Whitewater Paddle Wise Responsibility Code and Bear River ID photo
American Whitewater introduced the Paddle Wise responsibility code, which offers seven directives to make paddling safer and more pleasant for all (image courtesy of American Whitewater)

The notion of inclusiveness extends to AW sharing the responsibility for river stewardship with other groups. Rather than trying to compete with other nonprofit organizations focused on various aspects of river advocacy—such as river cleanups—AW throws in with them. 

“The more, the better,” Stafford said. “Although we have a big footprint, American Whitewater has a very small staff. We can’t actively participate in every river cleanup or get involved in every access issue. We have to choose our battles and fight carefully. So we end up partnering with a lot of nonprofits and stewardship organizations. We work together to share resources, and we provide direction where we can.”

American Whitewater has about 100 affiliate clubs, mostly local paddling clubs, that often lead local initiatives. American Whitewater is also a member of the Outdoor Alliance, which brings together advocates from mountain biking, climbing, surfing, and other interest groups. 

“When we come together, we have a powerful voice for human-powered recreation,” Stafford said. “More hands on deck is ideal.”

American Whitewater helps to bring new river lovers and stewardship advocates into the world by partnering with organizations such as Diversify Whitewater (photo courtesy of Evan Stafford, American Whitewater)

Dam removal dreams within grasp

With the increase in river advocacy coming from new river runners, expanded cooperation among stewardship groups, and some positive shifts in federal policies regarding river issues, Stafford sees reason for hope for the future of river conservation.

“One thing that I’m glad to see is the growing recognition of how important clean water is,” Stafford said. “As water becomes more scarce, especially in the West, I’m pretty hopeful that there’ll be significant policy changes to address water shortages and water use. I also think there’ll be some technological advances that will make recycling water easier and create better systems for water storage, so that we can build fewer dams, take some dams down, and bring rivers back to better health.” 

One of his dream goals—the removal of Glen Canyon Dam—is moving inexorably toward reality, primarily because fundamental laws of nature, combined with the forces of climate change, have proven the enterprise a worse debacle than even the sharpest critics could have imagined when it was first built. 

Returning rapids Cataract Canyon photo courtesy American Whitewater
New rapids returning to the Colorado River below Cataract Canyon as reservoir levels drop and the river re-carves its channel through the sediment (photo courtesy of American Whitewater)

“The Colorado River basin is one of the major challenges of our time,” Stafford said. “Glen Canyon Dam is one I would remove if possible. And it seems inevitably on the horizon. Lake Powell doesn’t have many chances at being at a useful level, much less full again. But there are many complex questions surrounding the Colorado River. Although we’re not major players in proposals like Fill Mead First—there are giant utility water and electricity providers that will have more say on that—there are some questions we’re trying to help answer in terms of how to protect the ecology of the river both upstream and downstream and how to make sure that recreation opportunities aren’t lost. And there are some pollution issues at the bottom of Lake Powell that are going to be tricky to deal with no matter what happens with the dam.”

To help American Whitewater tackle these and other river conservation challenges, American Whitewater encourages river runners to choose the level and type of support that speaks to them, Stafford said. 

“We help people advocate for the projects they’re interested in. If a National Forest controls access to the rivers you want to visit, reach out to the Forest Service and tell them how much the rivers in the forest mean to you. Engage in the places you really care about.”

One of the easiest ways to get started? The next time you check American Whitewater’s comprehensive online river database for current water levels before a paddling trip, hit the donate button instead of dismissing it. Every action helps American Whitewater work to keep rivers healthy and accessible for us all. 

4 ways to support American Whitewater

  1. Become a member for $35 ($25 for students)
  2. Volunteer to support policy work, events, or other initiatives
  3. Buy some AW swag for yourself or as a gift for a fellow paddler
  4. Donate money, especially if you use the AW online river database or the river app

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