WRF 2008 - River Issues

River Issues

After only three 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.

The Festival is sponsored by the Washington Kayak Club with all 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.

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.

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).