America's 'Most Endangered River' in 2020: The Mighty Mississippi

Heavy flooding are expected to strain the Mississippi and Missouri rivers in Spring 2020, just as resources are stretched thin by the coronavirus.

2 minute read

April 15, 2020, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The 2020 list of America's Most Endangered Rivers, published annually by American Rivers, includes sections of two of the most environmentally, geographically, economically, historically, and culturally significant rivers in the United States—the Mississippi and the Missouri. 

A year after catastrophic following up and down the Mississippi River watershed, projections for flooding along the two watershed look dire again. In 2020 that risk is combined with the added public health threat of the coronavirus, influencing the selections on the list this year. Here's the complete list, with links to detailed pages for each:

  1. Upper Mississippi River
  2. Lower Missouri River
  3. Big Sunflower River, Mississippi
  4. Puyallup River, Washington
  5. South Fork Salmon River, Idaho
  6. Menominee River, Michigan and Wisconsin
  7. Rapid Creek, South Dakota
  8. Okefenoke Swamp and St. Marys River, Georgia and Florida
  9. Ocklawaha River, Florida
  10. Lower Youghiogheny River, Pennsylvania

While climate change and flooding are the risks mentioned for the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, mining is listed as the threat for the plurality of rivers listed here.

American Rivers is a national advocacy organization devoted to the protection, restoration, and conservation of the country's watersheds. Planetizen shared news of previous Endangered Rivers lists in 2019, 2018, and 2015. The mainstream media also picked up coverage of the 2020 list, including with the following articles:

Tuesday, April 14, 2020 in American Rivers

Aerial view of Eugene, Oregon at dusk with mountains in background.

Eugene Ends Parking Minimums

In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.

December 3, 2023 - NBC 16

Green Paris Texas city limit sign with population.

How Paris, Texas Became a ‘Unicorn’ for Rural Transit

A robust coalition of advocates in the town of 25,000 brought together the funding and resources to launch a popular bus service that some residents see as a mobility lifeline—and a social club.

November 30, 2023 - Texas Monthly

SMall backyard cottage ADU in San Diego, California.

San Diegans at Odds Over ‘Granny Towers’

A provision in the city’s ADU ordinance allows developers to build an essentially unlimited number of units on single-family lots.

November 29, 2023 - CALmatters

Mission Bay and Potrero Hill

San Francisco Approves Zoning Reforms to Avoid ‘Builder’s Remedy’

The county board of supervisors voted to approve zoning changes that bring it closer to compliance with state housing mandates.

3 hours ago - Reason

Aerial view of housingin Las Vegas, Nevada with desert mountains in background.

Where Are Millennials Moving to?

As the housing crisis rages on, four U.S. states are seeing high levels of new migration from young and middle-aged workers.

4 hours ago - Yahoo Finance

Aerial view of houses against partly cloudy sky in San Mateon County, California.

California Cities Cite Historic Preservation to Block Development

Are some cities using historic designations disingenuously?

5 hours ago - Mercury News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

"Rethinking Commuter Rail" podcast & Intercity Bus E-News

Chaddick Institute at DePaul University

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.