Endangered Rivers

Aerial view of Eel River running through California forest

The Nation’s Most Endangered Rivers

An annual list from American Rivers highlights the waterways most at risk from climate change, poor water management, pollution, and other dangers.

April 19, 2023 - American Rivers

Hoover Dam Downstream

Climate Change Increasingly a Risk to the Country's Most Endangered Rivers

Conservation advocacy group American Rivers has ranked the Colorado River, ravaged by drought and mismanagement, as the most endangered river in the United States.

April 22, 2022 - American Rivers

Idaho

2021 Most Endangered Rivers List Highlights Environmental Justice

The annual list of endangered rivers created by American Rivers has always documented pollution and other threats like dam construction, but this year, the confluence of water and systemic racism warrants extra attention.

April 19, 2021 - American Rivers

Mississippi River Flooding

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.

April 15, 2020 - American Rivers

Gila National Forest

The Most Endangered Rivers in the United States

American Rivers has announced their annual list of the most endangered rivers in the country.

April 17, 2019 - American Rivers

Big Bend National Park

2018's Most Endangered Rivers

The American Rivers advocacy organization this week released their annual list of most endangered rivers in the United States.

April 11, 2018 - American Rivers

Lower Colorado River

America's 'Most Endangered Rivers' Face New Threats in 2017

The American Rivers advocacy group has released its annual report on the country's most endangered rivers, paying special attention to the threats posed to the country's waterways in new federal policies and budget plans.

April 12, 2017 - American Rivers

'Most Endangered River' in the United States: the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon

American Rivers' list of the "Most Endangered" U.S. rivers provides an annual reminder of the abuse waterways bear in the name of the country's economy and culture.

April 7, 2015 - American Rivers

America's Most Endangered Waterways

In time for Earth Day, American Rivers has released its annual list of the country's most threatened rivers. Topping this year's list is the Colorado River, a waterway so dammed, diverted and over-tapped that it ultimately "dries to a trickle."

April 22, 2013 - Take Part

America's Rivers Under Threat

Hillary Rosner speaks with Bob Irvin, president of American Rivers, on their newly released list of the most endangered rivers in the country.

May 17, 2012 - The New York Times Green Blog

'America's Most Endangered River'

American Rivers has named the Catawba River--which spans both Carolinas--as America's Most Endangered River for 2008, citing rapid development and outdated water supply management as factors in its ranking.

April 25, 2008 - The State

The Most Endangered River In The Nation

The Sante Fe River in New Mexico has been rated the most endangered river in the nation by the environmental group American Rivers.

April 17, 2007 - NPR

Ten Most Endangered U.S. Rivers

American Rivers releases 2005 report of the nation's most endangered rivers.

April 13, 2005 - American Rivers

America's 10 Most Endangered Rivers

A new report charges that Congress and the White House are making a bad situation worse as the nation's rivers and streams are becoming more polluted.

April 15, 2004 - American Rivers

Nation's Most Endangered Waterway

American Rivers has ranked The Missouri River as the nation's most endangered river for the second year in a row.

April 4, 2002 - CNN

Saving The Nation's Most Endangered Rivers

Can we save the 13 most endangered rivers in the U.S.? Dick Russell suggests solutions.

May 1, 2001 - E-The Environmental Magazine

Most Endangered U.S. Rivers

Environmental group American Rivers has released a list of the most endangered rivers in the U.S.

April 13, 2001 - National Geographic

America's Endangered Rivers

Dams blamed for North America's native freshwater species going extinct as fast as species in rainforests.

July 30, 2000 - E-The Environmental Magazine

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