SPECIAL MENTION: Mississippi River Threat: Outdated flood management
1 Susquehanna River (NY, PA, MD) Threat: Natural gas extraction
2 Bristol Bay (AK) Threat: Massive copper and gold mine
3 Roanoke River (VA, NC) Threat: Uranium mining
4 Chicago River (IL) Threat: Sewage pollution
5 Yuba River (CA) Threat: Hydropower dams
6 Green River (WA) Threat: Exploratory drilling and mine development
7 Hoback River (WY) Threat: Natural gas extraction
8 Black Warrior River (AL) Threat: Coal mining
9 St. Croix River (MN, WI) Threat: Rollback of longstanding protections
10 Ozark National Scenic Riverways (MO) Threat: Overuse and poor management
For 26 years, American Rivers has "sounded the alarm" on 360 rivers through our America's Most Endangered Rivers report. The report is not a list of the worst or most polluted rivers, but is a call to action for rivers at a crossroads.
American Rivers' staff and scientific advisors review nominations for a major decision that the public can help influence in the coming year, the significance of the river to people and wildlife, and the magnitude of the threat, especially in view of climate change.
American Rivers takes credit for successes such as the removal of outdated dams, the protection of rivers with Wild and Scenic designations, and the prevention of harmful development and pollution.