The Most Endangered Rivers in the United States

The 2019 list of "America's Most Endangered Rivers" raises alarms and calls for actions about the threats facing ten rivers, including some of the most famous and picturesque rivers in the country (previous "Endangered River coverage on Planetizen).

Leading the list is the Gila River in New Mexico, facing threats from a diversion project expected to release an environmental impact statement under the National Environment Policy Act this month. Heather Hansman provides detailed coverage of the Gila River for the Outside magazine, timed to promote and detail the announcement of the list.

Hansman writes: "Whatever part of water use you might think is most important—from farms to fish to floating—the Gila is a stronghold, but right now its tenability as a habitat and a water source is threatened by nature and by humans. This year is a tipping point."

Here is the complete list:

1. Gila River, New Mexico
2. Hudson River, New York
3. The Upper Mississippi River (multiple states)
4. Green-Duwamish River, Washington
5. Willamette River, Oregon
6. Chilkat River, Alaska
7. South Fork Salmon River, Idaho
8. Buffalo National River, Arkansas
9. Big Darby Creek, Ohio
10. Stikine River, Alaska

Risks facing rivers are numerous, ranging between climate change, environmentally insensitive infrastructure development, illegal levees, mines, and water pollution from industrial and agriculture operations.