National BLM River Database Home > Background and Goals

Background

The River Management Society (RMS) historically published the River Information Digest, a publication that summarized basic information to assist boaters in planning a river trip. This digest, prepared with assistance from various Federal river-managing agencies, contained information to offer the boating public a general idea of the environment and regulatory requirements of rivers throughout the US. To reduce time and costs associated with printing an up-to-date publication, RMS began hosting relevant river information on the RMS site in partnership with the BLM. During recent updates to this river information, the BLM partnered with American Whitewater (AW) to create a cost-effective and user-friendly interface for BLM's river data. This database streamlines efforts to disseminate river data and creates opportunities for other agencies to incorporate their river data. Each BLM river section is linked to AW's comprehensive web database of boatable river sections in the US.

Goals

This river database serves to educate both river managers and other partners and individuals about the opportunities and challenges associated with the planning and management of BLM-administered rivers. This project enhances collaboration, supporting existing public and private data collection and dissemination infrastructures. It also serves as a forum to ensure river managers maintain and use technical expertise, thereby benefiting the floating public and associated watershed users.