The American River has a turbulent history with failed dam projects, from the 1964 Hell Hole Dam washout to the infamous 1986 Auburn Dam coffer dam collapse, both leaving behind destruction and political battles. While the Auburn Dam remains unbuilt, the river’s future is still uncertain, and its story is far from over.

The Sites Reservoir price tag has ballooned to nearly $7 billion—over 50% more than previous estimates—raising serious doubts about the project's affordability and benefits. As costs soar and promised public benefits vanish, it’s clear that California deserves better water solutions than another bloated and outdated mega-dam.

The "Big Beautiful Bill" quietly opens the floodgates to billions in taxpayer subsidies for controversial dam and canal projects in California. While pitched as infrastructure, these projects could devastate rivers like the Sacramento and San Joaquin—benefiting powerful water districts at public expense.

Water contract conversions are quietly reshaping control over California’s rivers and water supply. A recent court ruling has cleared the way for permanent water repayment contracts under the 2016 WIIN Act—reducing oversight, consolidating power, and raising serious concerns about long-term environmental impacts.

The Turlock and Modesto Irrigation Districts are advancing a massive water grab that would raise dams, build new reservoirs, and claim nearly all remaining unappropriated water from the Tuolumne River. These sweeping plans threaten river flows, recreation, ecosystems, and the future of California’s largest San Joaquin River tributary.

AB 43, sponsored by Friends of the River, would permanently extend the state’s authority to protect federally designated wild and scenic rivers. With strong momentum and no formal opposition so far, the bill now heads to the Senate floor for a final vote.

Meet Dr. Devon Pearse, FOR’s New Lead Scientist; from whitewater kayaking to decades of fisheries research, Dr. Devon Pearse brings deep experience, passion, and scientific insight to Friends of the River. Learn more about his journey and why he’s excited to advocate for California’s rivers.

Planning a trip to one of California’s rivers? Whether you're rafting, swimming, hiking, or just relaxing by the water, it's essential to know how to stay safe and protect the river environment. These 10 river etiquette tips will help you and your family enjoy a safe, respectful outdoor adventure—while keeping California’s rivers clean, healthy, and thriving for future generations.

On Friday, July 11, Friends of the River submitted expert testimony in opposition to the California Department of Water Resources petition to permit the construction and operation of the proposed Delta Conveyance Project (Delta Tunnel). The testimony lays out a clear case that the project would cause serious harm to California’s rivers, fisheries, and communities while failing to provide the long-term water supply benefits claimed by proponents.

Join author Tyler Childress for an evening of stories, rivers, and history as he signs copies of his newly published biography/memoir, Bail! Bail! Bryce Whitmore and the Birth of Whitewater Rafting. This compelling new book captures the extraordinary life of Bryce Whitmore, the pioneering founder of California’s first rafting company and inventor of the first self-bailing raft, fiberglass river kayak, and self-aligning oar clips. 

The federal government is charging full-speed into a fossil-fueled future—reviving dam projects, gutting environmental protections, and turning independent agencies like FERC into puppets of political agendas. From Sites Reservoir to the McCloud River, a growing movement of Tribes and environmental advocates is pushing back to defend clean water, native species, and democratic oversight.

Bill AB-43, passed the California Assembly 57–3 and aims to permanently protect national wild and scenic rivers in California by removing the 2025 sunset clause on a key state law. This would ensure California can continue safeguarding these rivers from potential federal rollbacks on protections.

We did it—a dangerous attempt to fast-track the Delta Tunnel and gut environmental protections has been stopped… for now. Your calls and advocacy made a real difference—and lawmakers heard you.

There’s a light at the end of the tunnel in our fight to stop Sites Reservoir. After a year of participating in the water rights proceeding to permit the project, Friends of the River and our coalition of California tribes and environmental groups hit a critical milestone, – we submitted closing briefs to the Administrative Hearings Office of the State Water Board, detailing the extensive legal, environmental, and cultural flaws in the proposed project.

Spring-run Chinook salmon are in the San Joaquin River! So far this year nearly 400 adult fish have made it back from the Pacific Ocean. Challenged by low flows, warm water, and dams blocking access to summer holding and spawning habitat, spring-run are now listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

In April of this year, more than 30 people gathered for 9 days on the banks of the South Fork American River for FOR’s 2025 Guide Activist Training—a program designed not just to teach river skills, but to build a powerful, connected community of river advocates…

On May 3rd, more than 50 years after its founding, Friends of the River returned to the Stanislaus to help community groups highlight current restoration work on the Lower Stanislaus and build support for expanding efforts to improve fish habitat and overall river health. 

Governor Newsom’s revised state budget would remove barriers to fast-tracking the Delta Tunnel. For over half a century, California’s Governors have been fighting a persistent - and so far, uphill – battle to complete the State Water Project (SWP) and build new infrastructure to carry water around or under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

This month’s Federal Watch tracks shifting tides in Congress, endangered species protections, and federal agency staffing—revealing how decisions in D.C. ripple across California’s rivers. From fish protections on the chopping block, to subsidies for deadbeat dams, dive into the latest threats and under-the-radar developments.

The breathtaking dismantling of the federal government continues. The federal government is in chaos. Staff are being pushed to resign. Whole program areas that had been authorized by Congress are quietly slipping under the waves or being rendered ineffective. The nation that we thought we lived in is disappearing without notice or the consent of its citizens.