Join a whitewater rafting trip on the Mokelumne River (near O.A.R.S. HQ in Angels Camp) and join Foothill Conservancy’s efforts in protecting this special stretch of river.

The public will have the rare opportunity to raft the Mokelumne River with O.A.R.S. on July 19th. There will be two, possibly three, special river rafting trips on the Mokelumne’s six-mile Electra-Middle Bar run to benefit the Foothill Conservancy and support its work to protect and restore the Mokelumne River.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

Make sure there’s a river in your grandchild’s future… http://vimeo.com/4531603

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

Although O.A.R.S. does not offer whitewater rafting trips to the Galapagos Islands, they do offer 11-day sea-kayaking trips, 10-day multi-sport trips, as well as 10-day sailing trips to these enchanted islands.

If you are fortunate enough to be one of O.A.R.S.’ Galapagos Islands vacationers, you can be instrumental in protecting the area’s priceless natural heritage!

The Galapagos Islands face serious threats to their unique biodiversity. In 2007, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre placed them on their list of World Heritage Sites in Danger.  In response these threats, the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) has launched a new education and funding program to help meet the challenge of lasting protection for the islands.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

Spirit of the Stanislaus Event In Angels Camp  ~  Sunday, June 7th  ~  Activities Begin 2:30 p.m. 

To mark the 30th anniversary of the filling of the Stanislaus River Canyon, which flooded a unique limestone river canyon that used to attract over 70,000 whitewater rafters, hikers and other visitors every summer, the “Spirit of the Stanislaus” event  is planned for Angels Camp, California, on Sunday, June 7. 

The event will be held at Utica Park between 2:30 and 6:00 p.m., with live music, food and beverage vendors, speakers and a raffle to benefit Friends of the River (FOR), one of the event’s official sponsors. An evening showing of historic and contemporary river films, including the recent IMAX film “Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk,” will conclude the day’s festivities, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

O.A.R.S. was the first whitewater rafting company in the U.S. to offset all of its carbon emissions, working with NativeEnergy.  The Angels Camp, California, as well as the Flagstaff, Arizona, (Colorado River operations) warehouses and office operations run entirely from solar power. 

North Fork of the Stanislaus River, near Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

From outdated flood control schemes to harmful dams and mining projects, our nation’s rivers and clean water are at risk. American Rivers, the nation’s leading river conservation organization, today released America’s Most Endangered Rivers: 2009 edition spotlighting ten rivers in need of urgent action.

“Our nation is at a transformational moment when it comes to rivers and clean water,” said Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers. “Water is life, yet our nation’s water infrastructure is so outdated that our clean drinking water, flood protection and river health face unprecedented threats. Our country needs the smart, cost-effective solutions for clean drinking water, flood protection and river health outlined in America’s Most Endangered Rivers that will bring us into the 21st century.”

This year’s report highlights the sorry state of the nation’s water infrastructure — our drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems, and our dams and levees – and the need for green, 21st century investments to protect clean water, public health and safety, and the fish and wildlife that depend on healthy rivers.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

Thank you American Rivers for your tireless efforts to see this bill through to fruition!

The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 designates 86 new Wild and Scenic Rivers, totaling over 1,100 miles in Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming, Utah, California, and Massachusetts. The legislation includes important protections for 350,000 acres of land along the rivers and also contains new Wilderness designations for over two million acres of public land.

Rebecca Wodder, President of American Rivers, the nation’s leading river conservation organization, attended the signing ceremony at the White House.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

Save the Mokelumne River from EBMUD’s plan to expand Pardee Reservoir.  EBMUD’s proposal would drown the Mokelumne’s Middle Bar reach and extend the reservoir nearly a mile above Hwy 49.  We’d even lose the Middle Bar Bridge.  EBMUD heard the complaints last week and has scheduled an additional hearing on its 2040 water plan for TONIGHT.

Come to this public hearing and tell EBMUD to keep the Mokelumne a river. 

WHEN:  6:30 pm

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

1 Comment »

Great news for whitewater rafting enthusiasts and all fans of the Great Outdoors…

David Moryc and Caitlin Jennings from American Rivers just notified the O.A.R.S. office about 1,100 miles of rivers in 8 states that may soon be protected as Wild & Scenic. 
 
The second largest Wild and Scenic Rivers package in history now heads to President Obama’s desk, after passing the House of Representatives today by a vote of 285-140. The bipartisan H.R. 146, the legislative vehicle for the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, will safeguard over 1,100 miles of rivers in Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming, Utah, California, and Massachusetts. The legislation includes important protections for 350,000 acres of land along 86 new Wild and Scenic Rivers and it also contains new Wilderness designations for over two million acres of public land. Last week the bill passed the Senate by a vote of 77-20.
 
“Passage of this bill is an expression of the home grown support for one of the largest environmental protection measures in decades,” said Rebecca Wodder, President of American Rivers. “Today congressional leaders established a legacy of clean water, outdoor recreation and the economic benefits of healthy rivers and wild places for our grandchildren.”
 
American Rivers is extremely grateful to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Chairman Jeff Bingaman, Chairman Nick Rahall, and all the sponsors of the Wild and Scenic Rivers provisions. Without their determination to see this legislation through we could not have protected these national treasures for future generations of Americans.
 
A Wild and Scenic River designation protects riverside land along both sides of a river corridor, blocks dams and other harmful water projects, and preserves a river’s free-flowing nature. It helps protect and improve clean water, as well as the river’s unique historic, cultural, scenic, ecological, and recreational values.
 
The law was enacted in 1968 and three years ago American Rivers set the goal of designating 40 new Wild and Scenic Rivers by the 40th anniversary of the law. With passage of this package we more than double our goal by designating 86 new Wild and Scenic Rivers.
 
“From the Snake River headwaters in Wyoming to the desert Southwest’s Fossil Creek, to the trout streams of the Rockies, and the popular fishing and paddling streams of the Pacific Northwest, local people—hikers, whitewater rafters, kayakers, hunters and anglers—pushed for these historic protections,” said Wodder. “These rivers are the lifeblood of the land and our communities and the Wild and Scenic River designations are a tremendous gift to future generations.”
 

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

California rivers need your support!  Save the Mokelumne River from Pardee Expansion.

An East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) plan would drown the Middle Bar Bridge, Middle Bar reach and part of the Mokelumne Electra Run.  The river is popular for whitewater rafting, kayaking, fishing and hiking.

EBMUD has released the draft environmental impact report for its 2040 Water Supply Management Plan. The plan includes expanding Pardee Reservoir. The reservoir would be enlarged by more than 1,200 acres, destroying miles of the Mokelumne River and inundating the historic Middle Bar Bridge.

The Foothill Conservancy is currently working to secure National Wild and Scenic River designation for the Mokelumne River.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »