Restoring Rivers

Transforming rivers from afterthoughts to community assets

A healthy river can increase property values, boost recreational opportunities and local business, reduce water pollution, and protect people and property from flooding. But dams, levees and other man-made structures disrupt the natural functions of rivers, leaving many of them lifeless or cut off from their communities. American Rivers is championing solutions that bring rivers back to life. We are a national leader in removing and reforming outdated dams and we are the voice for 21st century natural flood protection solutions. Through our National River Cleanup program, we help communities keep their rivers clean and trash-free. Across the country, we are proving that rivers are remarkably resilient, and when given a chance they can thrive once again.

Our Restoring Rivers Work Dams and Dam Removal: Improving -- or removing -- outdated, harmful dams Floods and Floodplains: 21st century solutions to protect people and river health National River Cleanup™: Keeping rivers and streams clean and trash-free

Press Releases American Rivers Selected as 2010 Orvis Conservation Grantee (03/03/10) American Rivers releases Citizen’s Guide to Army Corps of Engineers (02/26/10) Forge Pond Dam Breach is a Wake Up Call for Dam Owners (02/26/10) American Rivers signs agreements for world's largest river restoration project (02/18/10) American Rivers stands by Klamath restoration agreements (02/10/10)

Blog Posts Unsafe Dams Threaten Communities Nationwide (03/08/10) And the Oscar goes to…the effort to remove Matilija Dam! (03/08/10) American Rivers Receives Grant to Restore Two of the Nation’s Largest Rivers (03/03/10) World's biggest river restoration kicks off Thurs at official ceremony in Oregon (02/16/10) How Restoring Rivers can Make us More Resilient (02/09/10) More