American Rivers | The River Blog

Protecting Rivers & Your Clean Water

Hurricane Irene Underscores Need For Better Preparation

August 29, 2011 | Dams & Dam Removal, Floods & Floodplains, Stormwater & Sewage

Over the past week Mother Nature has done a fine job of reminding those of us on the East Coast that she’s the one that’s really in charge. Between the earthquake that shocked us all, and Hurricane Irene still wreaking havoc as it moves up the east coast, we’re reminded that as much as we plan and prepare, natural disasters will still occur.

Northeast dam removals bringing river back to life this summer

Brian Graber, Director, River Restoration Program, Northeast Region
August 18, 2011 | Dams & Dam Removal, Wild and Scenic Rivers

As some really big dam removals on the Pacific Northwest’s Elwha and White Salmon Rivers are grabbing the headlines, “small” dam removals continue to be completed around the country. American Rivers provided technical assistance on two projects currently in (de)construction in the Northeast, and helped fund these projects through our partnership with the NOAA Restoration Center: Bunker Pond Dam, Lamprey River, Epping, New Hampshire, and Pawtuxet Falls Dam, Pawtuxet River, Cranston/Warwick, Rhode Island.

What will the Elwha dam removal mean for whitewater boating?

Amy Souers Kober, Senior Director of Communications
August 17, 2011 | Dams & Dam Removal

Tom O'Keefe of American Whitewater, shares in this guest blog, his excitement for the Elwha River restation project. I’m excited about the Elwha River restoration because it will offer new opportunities to enjoy the recreational opportunities of a restored river. The Elwha River is unique among rivers of the Olympic Peninsula as it cuts through several different geologic strata.

Small grant programs mean a lot to local communities

August 16, 2011 | Dams & Dam Removal, Floods & Floodplains, Wild and Scenic Rivers

With the state of the economy leading every newscast and talk of a “super committee” in Congress that will slash federal spending, it is to lose sight of all of the good things happening around us and positive impact many state and federal programs still have on local communities. Earlier this summer we announced, along with our partners at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Restoration Center, over $860,000 in grants that will improve river health, restore fisheries, improve public safety and reduce flood risks.

Preparing for dam removal: Elwha River video update

August 12, 2011 | Dams & Dam Removal

American Rivers has fought for more than a decade to remove outdated dams on Washington’s Elwha River, and now the beginning of this historic dam removal effort is just over a month away! Watch the latest report from King 5 TV, where divers from The U.S. Geological Survey and the Environmental Protection Agency fight strong currents and unpredictable ocean and weather conditions to study the river and its delta before dam demolition begins.

Saving Sierra Nevada rivers from misguided dam proposals

July 12, 2011 | Dams & Dam Removal, Water Supply

The South Sutter Water District recently proposed the 350-ft Garden Bar dam on the Bear River approximately 45 miles northeast of Sacramento California. Garden Bar Reservoir would permanently flood approximately 2,500 acres in the lower Bear River, 900 of which are permanently protected public open space. At a cost of nearly half a billion dollars, South Sutter claims Garden Bar dam would reliably provide less than 100,000 acre-feet of water, enough for about 100,000 homes.

Fish and Wildlife Service urges removal of Martis Dam on Truckee River

July 8, 2011 | Dams & Dam Removal, Floods & Floodplains

Potential removal of Martis Creek Dam, located near Lake Tahoe on a tributary to the Truckee River, has drawn the attention of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). While the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) is currently evaluating options for what to do about Martis Creek Dam, considered one of the 10 most dangerous dams in the county, the USFWS urged for dam removal so that Martis Creek can flow freely and provide habitat for threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout.

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