The River Radius Podcast

Tim Palmer has spent much of his life floating down, writing about, and photographing America’s rivers. With 34 books and scores of awards to his name (including the first-ever lifetime achievement award presented by American Rivers), he’s one of river conservation's most seasoned voices. In this episode, guest host Clark Tate joins Tim to talk about a recent run down the newly dam-free Klamath, his lifelong bond with Pennsylvania’s Youghiogheny River, the origins of America's flood management system, the benefits of giving rivers the room they need to run when the waters inevitably rise, and how increasingly severe floods both reveal our vulnerabilities and offer opportunities. GUESTTim PalmerSeek Higher Ground: The Natural Solution to Our Urgent Flooding CrisisYoughiogheny: Appalachian River (updated edition)Watching the River Run (photo book) HOSTClark Tate@lclarktate    THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

This September brings the one year anniversary of Hurricane Helene and the powerful flooding that pounded Southern Appalachia. Incredible work has been to remove the bridges and cars and houses and trees that filled up the rivers. And more work continues today and for the next 18 months to clean up the remaining smaller trash. In this episode we learn about these details and how some communities did not flood because dams were removed prior to Helene, and how more dams are being removed post Helene.  Our guests are Hartwell Carson and Andy Hill from Mountain True in North Carolina. GUESTSHartwell CarsonAndy HillMountain True@mtntruefacebookPREVIOUS EPISODES ON HURRICANE HELENEPart 1, Hurricane Helene in Appalachia, The SciencePart 2, Hurricane Helene in Appalachia, River RescueEPISODE ON RIVERS OF SOUTHERN APPALACHIA 10 Rivers For 2025SPONSORSAmerican RiversAmerican Rivers: Hurricane HeleneAmerican Rivers: Rivers of the United StatesDenver Area Nissan Dealers@nissanusa  THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

After incredible collaboration and momentum at the Snake River amongst several tribes and two states to create a legitimate pathway for the 4 Lower Snake River Dams to be breached and therefore allow the anadromous Salmon, Steelhead and Lamprey of the basin to avoid extinction, the collaboration has been cancelled by the current presidential administration.  Why?  What comes next?  Our guests are full of passion and wisdom for this story: Kayeloni Scott from the Columbia Snake River Campaign and Libby Tobey from the Grand Salmon Project. GUESTSKayeloni ScottColumbia Snake River CampaignLibby TobeyGrand Salmon Project FILMS ABOUT SNAKE RIVER"Covenant of the Salmon People""The Grand Salmon"Watch for live events, request a screening in your town RESOURCESColumbia Basin Restoration Initiative "Trump Administration Abandons Deal With Northwest Tribes to Restore Salmon"  Pro Publica"Remove the dams. Replace their services. Restore the Salmon."  Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association"Snake River Fact Sheet"  Idaho Rivers United PREVIOUS RIVER RADIUS EPISODES ON SNAKE RIVERSalmon 1: Mountain OriginsSalmon 2: Big Dam Problems & SolutionsSalmon 3: Fighting Extinction Real TimeDam Removal: Updates & Trends SPONSORSDenver Area Nissan Dealers@nissanusaBuddy Boy Adventure Waste Kit@buddyboyusa THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

For 40 years, American Rivers has published its annual Most Endangered Rivers list — a powerful statement sparking awareness and action to restore waterways across the country. In this 40th anniversary episode, we talk with Chantel Dominguez from American Rivers to explore this year’s list, river by river, moving through the challenges they face and the tangible solutions for each. We also revisit three rivers from last year’s list to learn about their increasing health and vitality.Thumbnail pic credit:  Sinjin Eberle, American RiversEPISODE SPONSORSDenver Area Nissan Dealers@nissanusaOver It Raft Covers@overitraftcoversFB  Over It. Raft Covers. EPISODE GUESTChantel DominguezAmerican RiversAmerican Rivers Most Endangered Rivers ListAmerican Rivers MembershipLink to Supportive Action for Each River:Mississippi River Tijuana RiverRivers of Southern AppalachiaPassaic RiverLower Rio Grande RiverRappahannock River  Clearwater River BasinSusitna RiverCalcasieu RiverGauley RiverRELATED EPISODESPart 1, Tijuana River, Binational FlowPart 2, Tijuana River, Source of the PollutionPart 3, Tijuana River, SolutionsPrevious American Rivers Most Endangered Rivers List Episodes10 Rivers for 202410 Rivers for 202310 Rivers for 2022 THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

Every year, we ask one big question: What is a River? This year, the currents brought us to Dr. Robert Macfarlane—writer & professor—and his newly released book, Is A River Alive?, Dr Macfarlane joined us to explore that very question. From the chalk streams from his home in England to rivers across three continents, Macfarlane pursues his answers. In this episode, we move through his global journey, his new water literacy, and why he calls himself a teacher first. GUESTSDr Robert Macfarlane, University of CambridgeDr Robert Macfarlane, Wikipedia@robgmacfarlaneBook:  IS A RIVER ALIVE?Audio Book:  IS A RIVER ALIVE?Film:  MOUNTAIN narrated by Willem DafoeThe poem Inversaid by Gerard Manley HopkinsRights of NatureUniversal Declaration of River RightsRiver Seine in Paris and a Declaration of River RightsBritain's Premier Nature Writer Cries Us a River SPONSORSNatural Systems DesignIG @naturalsystemsdesignin @natural_systems_designAmerican WhitewaterIG @americanwhitewaterFB @American WhitewaterMembershipJournalRiver Info     THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

In this episode, we dive into About Damn Time, Dana Romanoff’s powerful film that follows Cindell “Dellie” Dale and a crew of boatwomen as they navigate handcrafted wooden dories down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. They spent 17 days and 277 miles running the river and filming the story. Their journey becomes a vivid exploration of women reshaping a river culture long dominated by men. We ask: How did they work together to tell this story? What wisdom flows from these women to the next generation of dory guides? And why is the dory the most poetic boat ever built to run through the Grand Canyon?GUESTSDana RomanoffCindell "Dellie" DaleOARS Grand Canyon Dories SPONSORSDown River EquipmentAmerican RiversAmerican Rivers: Take ActionAmerican Rivers: Colorado River in the Grand CanyonAmerican Rivers: Rivers of the United StatesRESOURCESGrand Canyon National ParkColorado RiverDory  THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

Every July, more than 500 paddlers push off from Kansas City down 340 miles of massive Missouri River current, paddling day and night across the state in one of the world’s longest nonstop river races. This is the MR 340, an event of endurance, suffering and transformation. From solo racers chasing records to 10-person canoes grinding it out over four brutal days, every paddler faces the same river. In this episode, we sit down with Kate Mansker, a racer from the very first MR 340 in 2006 who still holds course records, and Steve Schnarr, the race director who steers the chaos behind the scenes. Together, they chart the evolution of the race, the legends it’s created, and what it takes to avoid the Reaper.  GUESTSKate ManskerSteve SchnarrSPONSORSDenver Area NIssan Dealers@nissanusa River City Outdoors@outdoorsstlFacebookBig Muddy Adventures@paddlestlFacebookTerrain Magazine@terrain_magazineFacebook MR 340 RACE INFOwww.mr340.orgRace trackingFacebookArticle 1:  They Were Magnificent Humans: An Oral History of the First MR340Article 2:  Missouri River Relief to host 20th annual MR340 race on Missouri River THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

Live from the River Management Society’s Annual Symposium in Ashland, Oregon, we bring you a live conversation with Paddle Tribal Waters. This powerful project is paddling the entire length of the Klamath River from its headwaters to the Pacific Ocean during the summer of 2025. We dive into the vision and logistics behind this month-long river journey. Hear how Paddle Tribal Waters is weaving together stories of ecology, culture and river life. SPONSORSNorthwest River Supplies@nrswebFacebookAmerican Whitewater@americanwhitewaterFacebook HOSTRiver Management SocietyRMS Symposium@rivermgtsociety GUESTSRios to RiversPaddle Tribal Waters@riostorivers Danielle Rey FrankAmada Lang@moddssRuby Rain Williams @rubyrainwilliamsKeeya Wik @keeya.wikiJulian Tohnikyaw Rogers @tohnikyaw  THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

Katie Veteto is a river guide with quiet calculated confidence and a sharp eye for water. Within a few years she was navigating one of the most difficult crafts on the river—the massive sweep boat. NRS's new film Driving Sweep, directed by River Radius Contributing Host Greg Cairns, follows her journey of learning, doubt, and determination as she takes on a role historically dominated by men. Through her story, the film offers a powerful reflection on resilience, mentorship, and making space in wild places.GUESTSKatie VetetoKatie Veteto was born in Southern Utah, raised in the Missoula Valley, and now spends her time in Missoula, MT and Salmon, ID. She grew up seeing the rivers of the West through the joyful lens of community and recreation and continues to guide on rivers in Montana and Idaho. Katie is an elementary school teacher. During Katies time off, you’ll find her romping in the woods with her dog Tuck, swing dancing, knitting hats, writing, or bumping around on a bike. In the Summer you’ll find her somewhere on the Middle Fork of the Salmon.Greg CairnsContributing Host & Film Creator SPONSORSNRS@nrsweb Valley Nissan@valley_nissan WATCH THE FILMYouTube linkRead about the film GIVEAWAYEnter Here@riverradiuspodcast  THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

Two friends become enamored with R1 rafting and together began running class 5 runs to include waterfalls. Then they decide to spend a summer R1ing and making a river film about their fun. Kenny Beauchamp and Ryan Huck tell their story of being friends, running scary fun water and learning to make a film.   GIVEAWAYEnter Here GUESTSRyan Huck @hucknstuff29Kenny Beuachamp @steep_creek_kennyFilm Acct @steep_creek_productions_llcWebsite:  www.steepcreekproductions.comEPISODE SPONSORSSOTAR@sotaronthewaterTurtle Box Audio@turtleboxaudioListen Responsibly Valley Nissan@valley_nissan THE FILM:  JUST GET A KAYAKFILM CREWSage Yazzie @nativenaturellcMusic Jackson Corbo on Spotify & InstagramDrone pilot @anakin_fpvThad @thaddeusthefirst FILM SPONSORSSOTAR@sotaronthewaterTurtle Box@turtleboxaudioOver it Raft Covers@overitraftcovers Colorado Water Trust@cowatertrust Gili Gear@giligear River Station Gear@riverstationgear  THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

This is the 3rd and last episode about the Tijuana River. The Tijuana River is a story of trade, immigration and international borders. This is a river that flows across the US Mexico border and carries pollution and sewage. Our guest is Dr Maria-Elana Giner; she served as commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission and upon request of President Trump, she resigned from this position in April of 2025. In this 3rd episode we look for solutions to this epic challenge for the US and Mexico. CO-HOSTRamon ChairezUn Mar de Colores GUESTSDr Maria-Elana GinerIBWC Wastewater Treatment PlantLetter or Resignation, Dr GinerNew IBWC CommissionerNews on Dr Giner resigning as Commissioner RESOURCESTijuana RiverTijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve Tijuana, MexicoSan Diego / Tijuana Metro AreaNavy Seals impacted by Tijuana River PREVIOUS EPISODES ON TIJUANA RIVERPart 1, Tijuana River, Binational FlowPart 2, Tijuana River, Source of the PollutionSPONSORSAmerican Rivers@americanriversFacebookKaris Family FoundationThe Buddy Boy@buddyboyusa THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

Many of our favorite rivers run through public land, land that is owned and managed by the Federal Government, and so therefore owned by the citizens of the United States. There is renewed chatter in Washington DC suggesting that major sales of public lands can create significant revenue for the Federal Government. This episode hosts experts on this topic from the Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association, and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition to learn more about who wants this, why this is being considered, what are the benefits, and how listeners can engage in the process.   GUESTSKathy RinaldiGreater Yellowstone Coalition Jack HurtyIdaho Outfitter and Guides Association ARTICLES ON TOPICRepublicans weigh sales of public land in reconciliationCould federal land be sold to pay for tax cuts? LINKS TO SENATORS & REPRESENTATIVESFind your House of Representatives MemberFind your US Senator SPONSORSThe Buddy Boy@buddyboyusaDenver Area Nissan Dealers@nissanusa SURVEY LINKRiver Radius Survey EMAIL SIGNUP LINKContact Form THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

Do you ever wonder if bots are being used to acquire river permits during the annual cancellation lotteries each year? So do we. So we built a bot to see if it works to secure permits. And we tried talking with rec dot gov to get their input. Check out this episode for a tour of bots, permits, bureaucracy and access to public rivers.  SURVEY ABOUT THE RIVER RADIUS PODCASTRUNOFF EMAIL LIST SIGN UP2021 EPISODE ABOUT RIVER PERMITS GUESTSHayden BlackfordAmerican WhitewaterKevin ColburnRiver Permit Survey Results PreviewRivers Requiring Permits ListAllocating Recreation with Fairness at the ForefrontReserve ActRec Dot GovAre Bots Reserving all the Popular Locations?SPONSORSAmerican WhitewaterIGFBValley Nissan IG         THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

The Tijuana Rivers courses through the City of Tijuana Mexico where 2 million people live.  Several hundred thousand homes in Tijuana are not connected to the city sewage system and this leads to significant pollution of the Tijuana River.  And because the city of Tijuana butts right up to the US Mexico border, the path of the river sewage and the responsibility for managing is not always clear.  This episode goes into Tijuana to learn more about why the pollution exists, where it comes from and the status of various infrastructure tools that manage the pollution.  CO-HOSTRamon ChairezUn Mar de Colores GUESTSHernando DuranTijuana Verde en EspanolTijuana Verde in EnglishWaylon Matson4 Walls InternationalRosario Jacqueline MorenoChris HelmerCity of Imperial BeachIBWC Wastewater Treatment PlantTijuana RiverTijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve Tijuana, MexicoSan Diego / Tijuana Metro AreaNorth American Free Trade AgreementUnited States Mexico Canada Free Trade AgreementSPONSORSAmerican Rivers@americanriversFacebookKaris Family FoundationDenver Area Nissan Dealers@nissanusa THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

This episode is on site where a beautiful desert mountain river flows through an estuary and into the Pacific Ocean. Before the Tijuana River meets the ocean, it navigates through a dense urban border region with 5 million people. The outcome is a river that is carrying toxic sewage and pollution to the ocean, closing beaches and creating illness in the river and beach communities. This is the first episode in a series about this beautiful place, the epic pollution, and the incredible people who are engaged in the work to clean up this river and ocean. GUESTSRamon ChairezDr Paula GranadosDr Kimberly DicksonDr Matthew DicksonTijuana RiverImperial Beach ClosedSaturn Boulevard Hot SpotTijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve Tijuana, MexicoSan Diego / Tijuana Metro AreaSPONSORSAmerican Rivers@americanriversFacebookKaris FoundationDenver Area Nissan Dealers@nissanusa THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

River runners became paramount for river rescue in many parts of Appalachia when Hurricane Helene inflated the rivers to record levels. People were stranded in buildings, bridges blew out, and houses were swept downriver. This live episode at the America Outdoors Conference hosts 3 river runners who immediately engaged in the rescue of people stranded by the floods, and, the rescue of the rivers from their own floods. They tell the stories of their work beginning at daybreak on day 1 of Hurricane Helene.  GUESTSKorey HamptonMitch HamptonFrench Broad AdventuresSteven FoyNantahala Outdoor Center RELEVANT LINKS AND CONTENTUSA Today articles about Korey and Mitch running rescuesUSA TodayHeroes & heartbreak: 36 hours of hell during Helene's historic floodsUSA TodayFrom rescue to recovery:The grim task in flood ravaged WNCNew York Times, print and podcast story about Mr TiptonNY TimesFor hours he clung to a tree. But none came.The Daily Podcast (NY Times)60 Minutes: Families in WNC rebuild in wake of Helene: "This is home"Read:  Hurricane Helene SPONSORSDenver Area Nissan Dealers@nissanusaRiver Management Society2025 Symposium@rivermgtsocietyFB River Management Society Part 1, Hurricane Helene in Appalachia, The Science THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

In September of 2024 when Hurricane Helene arrived in the mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee and South Carolina, it landed where the ground and rivers were already saturated and swollen with rain. The result was “the storm of record” taking out thousands of bridges, sending thousands of landslides down the mountains and taking human life. This episode hosts the National Weather Service and the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center to explore the storm and the river reaction, and then Dr Phillip Prince goes deep in describing landslides and debris flows and their impact.  GUESTSTrisha PalmerNational Weather Service Greenville Spartanburg, South CarolinaMatt WilsonLower Mississippi River Forecast CenterSlidell, Louisiana Dr Phillip PrinceGeo Models You Tube Channel RELEVANT LINKS AND CONTENTRead:  Hurricane HeleneVideo:  French Broad River Flooding 2024 - Hurricane Helene in Woodfin, NCArticle:  Helene deals billions in damage to infrastructureArticle:  Reflections on loss and opportunity in flood ravaged Western North Carolina SPONSORSDenver Area Nissan Dealers@nissanusaRiver Management Society2025 Symposium@rivermgtsocietyFB River Management Society  THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

Dr Len Necefer opens up 2025 for The River Radius. Len is the mind and perspective I wanted to welcome me and you both into this 6th season of The River Radius. We talk through the relationship of rivers and elections, of books for this year, the work and impact of Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, and other river and life layers. Len is the founder of Natives Outdoors, the Sonoran Avalanche Center, runs rivers, is articulate and intelligently humorous. This is the 2nd episode with Dr Len Necefer and both are some of my favorites. 1ST EPISODE: Part 1, Dr Len Necefer, Living in the SoupApple PodcastsSpotifyGUESTDr Len Necefer websiteNatives OutdoorsOutside TV: Running DryDr Len Necefer personal IG account Sonoran Avalanche Center IG account RELEVANT LINKSOffice of Indian Energy Policy and ProgramsHonold Foundation BOOKSSurviving Autocracy by Masha GessenThe NativesOutdoors reading list for the outdoor industrySPONSORSDenver Area Nissan Dealers@nissanusaRiver Management Society2025 Symposium@rivermgtsocietyFB River Management Society  THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

To move from 2024 into 2025, we have one guest in two episodes for you. Our guest is Dr Len Necefer. This is the first episode. We talk through life wrapped in intellect and self facing humor, 6th grade reading levels, native art and the modern retail market, an upriver bike ride, and river runs at the northern most reaches of the North American continent. Len is the “star” of his Outside TV show where he is riding his bike up the Colorado River from Mexico to Colorado.  He is the founder of Natives Outdoors. He served the Obama Administration in the Dept of Energy. And Len is part of the founding crew of the Sonoran Avalanche Center. Len and I sat on top of a small mountain, on a park bench looking down on the deep desert river and ski town of Tucson, Arizona on a Sunday morning in the end of November to laugh and learn, and talk life and rivers. GUESTDr Len Necefer websiteNatives OutdoorsOutside TV: Running DryDr Len Necefer personal IG account Sonoran Avalanche Center IG account RELEVANT LINKSBogs in collaboration with Natives OutdoorsHonold FoundationReturning Rapids Returning Rapids of Cataract 2021Autopsy of a Post Reservoir River SPONSORSDenver Area Nissan Dealers@nissanusaOver It Raft Covers@overitraftcovers THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

Do rivers have rights? Should they have a set of rights that guide how they are used? In September of this year, 2024, the Biobio River in Chile was assigned a Declaration of Rights. This non binding document allows for work to be done towards making the Declaration influential and even binding at a later date. We speak with International Rivers and Malen Lebu in Chile to understand this more. SPONSORSDenver Area Nissan Dealers@nissanusaOver It Raft Covers@overitraftcoverspromo code, free shipping: riverradius GUESTSMonti AguirreInternational RiversEvaluna Morales@azulcordilleraMalen LebuFacebook@malenlebu IGKayakimun@kayakimunRios to RiversBiobio RiverDeclaration of Rights for the BiobioEarth Law CenterMaranon River, Peru, Declaration of Rights    THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree