September 2024

Volume 25, Number 6

September, 2024

The Oregon Whitewater Association brings private boaters together for the enjoyment of whitewater boating. Our vision is to promote whitewater safety and training for all of our membership in an effort to provide safety awareness and confidence when executing river rescue skills. OWA is the community of choice where fun and river adventures thrive and where people and rivers connect.

Photo of the Month

This month's featured photo was taken by Evan Stafford with the American Whitewater Association. On August 28th, Tribal members gathered alongside government officials and nonprofit partners to cheer as the final cofferdam was breached at Iron Gate reservoir, freeing the Klamath River from Lake Ewauna to the Pacific Ocean. After over two decades of Tribal advocacy, an agreement was reached to remove four hydroelectric dams, Iron Gate, Copco 1 and 2, and JC Boyle, re-opening over 400 miles of the river and tributaries to the legendary salmon runs that have been stifled by these impoundments for over a century.

If you want to have your favorite river picture featured, send it to vicepresident-newsletter(at)oregonwhitewater.org. You can also submit pictures through Instagram or the OWA Facebook group.

  • Klamath River Freed

    Klamath River Freed

Contact Information

Your OWA Officers and Volunteers

OWA Board of Directors

Scott Harvey, President
Steve Adams, Vice President - Events
Jason Davis, Vice President - Newsletter
Steve Kasper, Secretary
Doug Smith, Treasurer
Steve Herring, Membership Director
Jason Urasky, Technology Director
Will Brezinski, Training Director

OWA Volunteers

Scott Harvey, Trip Editor
Cary Solberg, Advertising Editor
Jason Urasky, Webmaster
Jason Davis, Newsletter Editor

Bruce Ripley, Safety Auction Lead

President's Corner

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This is the time of year when the transformation from summer to fall changes rapidly. Dealing with excessively hot and…

Next OWA Meeting

Meeting link will be sent out via H2OAddicts and posted in the OWA Facebook group

What: Volcanoes and Geology of PNW

Who:   Dr Scott Burns

            PSU Professor of Geology

 

When:   Oct. 9 2024 6:30pm

Where:  Flying Pie Pizza

Do you know of a speaker for one of our monthly meetings?

Do you know someone engaging, entertaining, and full of knowledge who you would like to hear speak at a club meeting? Any club member who successfully connects OWA with a speaker for one of our meetings will be entered into a prize drawing for a $150 gift certificate to one of our sponsors. To discuss a potential speaker, email VicePresident-Events(at)oregonwhitewater.org.

Trip Reports

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This month we will follow some of our members, as they contribute to Team River Runners success on the Main Salmon
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With the help of our very own David Pauli, we navigated through Hells Canyon.

Stay safe and healthy on the river and be prepared for emergencies.

Do you have a trip coming up? OWA has two extensive Wilderness First Aid kits and AED’s that go on all club trips and are available for club members to take on private trips. You can check them out by sending an email to firstaid(at)oregonwhitewater.org

Special Feature

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To help avoid confusion during a water rescue or recovery there is a standard whistle usage protocol that is used to…

Knot of the Month

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The Alpine Butterfly is a strong loop that can be tied on a bight. The loop does not roll to either side as a figure 8…

Do you have something to share with the OWA community through the newsletter?

Do you want to share the tale of your latest multi-day rafting adventure or just the basics of your recent day run?  Do you have a recipe your river friends must try? Is there other river-related content you want to share? Any club member who submits written content published in the newsletter will be entered into a prize drawing for a $150 gift certificate to one of our sponsors. To submit newsletter content or photos for our social media accounts, email VicePresident-Newsletter(at)oregonwhitewater.org.

OWA has a Facebook group exclusively for members.  It is a great place to connect with other members to meet up at the river or exchange gear tips. Anyone can follow the OWA Instagram page. 

AWlogo.pngOWA is an affiliate member of American Whitewater.  OWA members receive a $10 discount off of individual membership.  American Whitewater is a national non-profit 501©(3) river conservation organization with a mission is to protect and restore America’s whitewater rivers and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.  Click the Logo to visit the AW website and learn more.