Here Are The 10 Most Endangered Rivers In America

ACROSS AMERICA — Climate change, pollution and dams are some of the current major threats being faced by America’s waterways, according to an environmental advocacy group.

American Rivers released its annual report Tuesday of the country's most endangered rivers, highlighting 10 it says are most at risk of becoming irreparably harmed by human activity unless mitigating actions are taken within the next year.

“Rivers are among the most degraded ecosystems on the planet, and threats to rivers are threats to human health, safety and survival,” Tom Kiernan, president of American Rivers, said in a statement. “If we want a future of clean water and healthy rivers everywhere, for everyone, we must prioritize environmental justice.”

The group said it chose the 10 most endangered rivers based on three factors: proposed state and federal legislation that could be voted on in the coming year to help the rivers; the importance the waterways have to surrounding communities; and the natural environment and the significance of the threats.

The Snake River, which goes through Idaho, Washington and Oregon, was found to be the most endangered of the 10.

Millions of salmon travel up the river during spawning seasoning, and the local fishing industry brings in roughly $5.8 billion a year as a result, according to the report.

However, the salmon population is facing possible extinction due to four hydroelectric dams built by the federal government several decades ago. American Rivers said the dams have caused a 90 percent reduction in the wild salmon population traveling up the river to spawn.
The dams also led to the flooding of thousands of acres that were home to around 600 to 700 Native American cultural sites.

U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) proposed a $33.5 billion initiative in February that would lead to "critical river restoration" and involve removal of the dams as well as funding to replace the energy produced by them, according to the report.

American Rivers said local and federal groups need to come together and build on Simpson’s proposal to ensure the restoration and longevity of the Snake River.

“The Pacific Northwest has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to honor treaties and commitments with Northwest Native American tribes and revitalize the region’s economy through restoring abundant numbers of Snake River basin salmon and invigorating clean energy, agriculture and recreational opportunities,” the group said in its report.

Here’s the full list of the top 10 endangered rivers in the country:

1. Snake River in Idaho, Washington and Oregon — threatened by dams, climate change and poor water quality.
2. Lower Missouri River in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska — threatened by climate change and poor flood management.
3. Boundary Waters in Minnesota — threatened by sulfide-ore copper mining.
4. South River in Georgia — threatened by sewage pollution.
5. Pecos River in New Mexico — threatened by hard rock mining.
6. Tar Creek in Oklahoma — threatened by toxic water contamination.
7. McCloud River in California — threatened by raising the height of the Shasta Dam.
8. Ipswich River in Massachusetts — threatened by excessive water withdrawals.
9. Raccoon River in Iowa — threatened by factory farms and agricultural pollution.
10. Turkey Creek in Mississippi — threatened by two major land developments.

American Rivers’ full report on the threats faced by the rivers can be read online.