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River Issues
After only four
years, the Wenatchee River Festival has emerged as the Pacific
Northwest’s biggest river and whitewater celebration.
Our goals are simple and clear:
- Raise awareness of river conservation,
access and safety issues in the Pacific Northwest and
awareness about the whitewater organizations that exist to
promote those issues.
- Raise funds to support the work of American
Whitewater.
- Promote rivers and paddling in the
Wenatchee River Valley.
- Provide an opportunity for paddlers in the
region to get together and celebrate the beauty and magic of
their whitewater rivers.
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The Festival is sponsored by the
Washington
Kayak Club with proceeds contributed to support
the
American Whitewater conservation, access, and safety
work throughout the Pacific Northwest. WRF is organized by
local volunteers and in partnership with AW regional
affiliate clubs and business partners. |
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All
proceeds from the WRF are used to support American Whitewater's
continued work, in partnership with local volunteers and
affiliate clubs. There are many regional projects and several
local to the Wenatchee River Valley.
Contact Tom O'Keefe [425.417.9012] - American Whitewater
Pacific Northwest Stewardship Director for more information
about any of these projects.
Wenatchee/Okanogan Forest Planning
The Forest Service is developing a new Forest Plan for these
forests that will guide management for the next decade or more.
The last plan was in 1990. Of interest to river advocates, these
plans evaluate rivers for Wild and Scenic designation. Once a
river is determined to be suitable for designation it is managed
to protect its free-flowing nature until Congress has an
opportunity to take action (learn
more).
Peshastin Dam
The Peshastin Dam on the Wenatchee River is a severe hazard that
must be portaged. The lowhead dam is a recognized "drowning
machine." Regional volunteers have documented this hazard with a
long-term goal of creating a chute that can be safely run and
that also includes a new play feature. Several such projects
have been completed in Colorado and at other sites across the
country.
Chelan Gorge
The Chelan Gorge is a class V run on the east side of the
Cascades just north of the Wenatchee River. American Whitewater
recognized the potential this bypass reach held for expert
paddlers and participated in several years of negotiations to
secure recreational releases. Now that the utility has a new
hydropower license we are hopeful that releases can begin in
2008 (learn
more).
Projects of Regional Significance
Sultan River
Robe Canyon
MF Snoqualmie Stewardship and Pratt River Wild and Scenic
Condit Dam Removal White Salmon
Projects of National Significance
Protection of Backcountry Roadless Areas
Updating Mining Laws [e.g.
1872 Mining Law]
Restoring
the
Clean Water Act
Restoring Adequate Funding for Public Lands
Funding of
USGS Stream Gauging Program
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