Join us July 2nd, for the Launch of “Bail! Bail! Bryce Whitmore and the Birth of Whitewater Rafting”

Join FOR and author Tyler Childress for an evening of stories, rivers, and history as he shares from his newly published biography-memoir chronicling the extraordinary life of Bryce Whitmore—the pioneering founder of California’s first rafting company and inventor of the self-bailing raft, fiberglass river kayak, and more. See details

We are excited to bring you this month’s Currents articles, which highlight key news about California's rivers, and what FOR is doing to protect them. Even more exciting is that most of these articles are good news.

Federal Watch: Fossils Fuels, Dams, and Dirty Deals

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. Read more.

AB-43 (Wild & Scenic Rivers) scoots through the California Assembly 

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. Read more.

Tower to Newsom: Delta Tunnel Not Cleared for Takeoff 

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. Read more.

Restoration Success! Salmon Return to the San Joaquin River 

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. Read more. 

Major Milestone Reached in Fight Against Sites Reservoir 

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, – 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. Read more.

Please consider a generous gift to help FOR fight the Triple Threat to Rivers. This is a critical year to stop Sites Reservoir, the Delta Tunnel and the Voluntary Agreements.