Recent Whitewater Access Success in Washington State
At American Whitewater we are proud of several recent successful access situation resolutions in Washington State. These are just a few of the projects we are pleased to have brought to completion:
Canyon Creek, Lewis River Drainage — New Access Stairway
As part of the new license for PacifiCorp’s hydropower projects on the Lewis River, we worked to negotiate access improvements to Canyon Creek. The new stairway at the take-out is the result of these efforts. PacifiCorp will manage and maintain the site throughout the length of their hydropower license.
Skykomish River — Cable Drop Access Developed
Despite its status as one of the most popular whitewater runs in the state, river managers have done little to recognize the need to improve access to the Skykomish River. This trend has started to change and the Forest Service has stepped up to embrace river-based recreation and the need to manage public access to the Skykomish River. The new access stairway at Cable Drop is one example of a project where we partnered with the Forest Service and our local affiliate Washington Recreational River Runners to enhance public access to the water with a trail that better accommodates all watercraft.
Middle Fork Snoqualmie — Road Improvements
In 2017, American Whitewater joined local conservation and recreation groups to celebrate the paving of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road. This project was more than a paving project with upgrades to stream crossings and construction of a new road prism that is higher in elevation and less susceptible to damage in storm events. American Whitewater worked with local affiliate Paddle Trails Canoe Club to identify the most important access points where pullouts along the road provide parking and short trails to the river enable paddlers to access the water. Mountains to Sound Greenway worked with us to ensure that these access points were recognized and included in the design and construction of the new roadway.
Sauk River — Several Access Improvements
Over a period of a decade, American Whitewater worked with the Forest Service on a number of projects to improve access to the Sauk Wild and Scenic River and implement projects first conceived in the original river management plan. Formalized boater access at Bedal, Whitechuck, Backman County Park, Sauk Prairie Bridge, Highway 530 Bridge, and White Creek represent the culmination of years of successful partnership to improve outdoor recreation in and around the community of Darrington. We have been pleased to see all these projects implemented, and to have played a small role in a broader effort to increase the visibility of outdoor recreation and support outdoor education for local youth in the community. Our most successful projects support local communities and our projects on the Sauk have that as a primary goal.
Sultan River — New Trail to the Put-In
Under the Federal Power Act, hydropower power licensees have a responsibility to protect, mitigate, and enhance resources that include recreation on rivers impacted by hydropower development. As part of the settlement agreement for the relicensing of the Jackson Hydroelectric Project on the Sultan River, Snohomish PUD agreed to design and construct a new trail to access the Sultan River Gorge. Prior to this agreement, paddlers were frequently chased away by watershed security and accommodations for reservoir recreation were viewed as adequate mitigation for recreation. Over the period of a decade, American Whitewater and local volunteers developed a positive working relationship with the utility. Now paddlers are warmly greeted by utility personnel when the river is flowing and access is much less of an ordeal than it was in the past.
Wenatchee River — Protected and Enhanced Access
We participated in two recent projects to protect and improve access to the Wenatchee River. At the Dryden Dam, the State Department of Transportation was looking to surplus their property and the fate of the alternate access site and portage route around the dam was uncertain. American Whitewater stepped in to support efforts of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to acquire the property ensuring that it will remain in public ownership and stay accessible to the public. Further upstream in Plain, American Whitewater supported a project by Chelan PUD to improve access where Beaver Valley Highway crosses the Wenatchee River. The new access is on Chelan PUD property on the downstream side of the bridge and provides a much safer and user-friendly alternative to the informal access within the bridge right-of-way that was used for many years but created safety concerns.
