Media Items Archive

Contact:

Lisa Ronald, Western Montana Associate Conservation Director, American Rivers lronald@americanrivers.org, 406-317-7757
Karen Knudsen, Executive Director, Clark Fork Coalition

American Rivers has named the Clark Fork River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, citing industrial pollution from a shuttered pulp mill that threatens the river’s recovery from a hard-working past. The Clark Fork flows more than 300 miles through an area of ancestral and continuing importance to the Salish and Kalispel peoples. The river supplies habitat for diverse fish and wildlife species and drinking water and irrigation for local communities. It is the engine of the region’s agricultural and outdoor economies.

Today, the defunct Smurfit-Stone pulp mill and its unlined and unsafe waste dumps sit downstream of Missoula in the Clark Fork’s active floodplain, leaking toxic chemicals and heavy metals into groundwater that is connected to the river. Fish in this reach of the Clark Fork are considered too contaminated to safely consume. And although the mill has been closed for 13 years, and International Paper and WestRock are financially responsible for the costs of cleanup, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has yet to tackle the problem – despite compelling evidence that cleanup of the most contaminated part of the site should start immediately.

“Missoula, downstream communities, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes deserve clean water and edible fish. Cleaning up Smurfit-Stone is not just the right thing to do, it’s a smart economic decision since cleanup now is less expensive than cleanup after a disaster,” said American Rivers Western Montana Associate Conservation Director Lisa Ronald.

Forming the eastern headwaters of the Columbia Basin, the Clark Fork is Montana’s largest river by volume. It rises out of mountains along the Continental Divide near Butte and captures water from 28,000 miles of creeks and streams on its journey to Idaho’s largest natural lake, Lake Pend Oreille. It is a regional boating and angling destination and is home to native westslope cutthroat trout and threatened bull trout.

“The Clark Fork River is in the heart of our ancestral homelands, but it’s like being punched in the gut when you have something like Smurfit in that location. We want to restore the floodplain, reclaim lost pieces of our culture, and honor our treaty and our ancestors,” said Council Chairman for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Tom McDonald.

Between 1957 and 2010, the Smurfit-Stone pulp mill created pulp from woodchips and then produced rolls of kraft linerboard for cardboard boxes, some of which it bleached. The process generated a tremendous amount of chemicals and hazardous substances, which were either discharged directly into the Clark Fork, held temporarily in riverside settling ponds, or buried in unlined sludge ponds, waste dumps, and landfills. These waste management areas span roughly 1,000 acres of the site, though it’s the roughly 140 acres of buried sludge and industrial refuse that make up the most acutely problematic part of the site.

The rest of the waste management area – the 900 acres of settling ponds – are separated from the Clark Fork River by an unengineered, unpermitted gravel berm. Because it hasn’t been maintained since the mill shuttered in 2010, annual spring runoff and periodic flooding continue to erode the berm each year. A catastrophic flood, such as one like the Yellowstone River flood of 2022, would likely fully inundate or collapse the berm and pull industrial pollutants into the river and downstream.

“One of the biggest environmental concerns we have is that there will be a 100-year, 300-year, or 500-year flood that will take out the berms and potentially create a colossal catastrophic environmental nightmare in the Clark Fork drainage and watershed,” said Missoula County Commissioner Dave Strohmaier. “Right now, the berms are the only line of defense that keeps the Clark Fork River under extreme flood conditions from scouring out contaminants.”

To prevent catastrophic flooding and ongoing pollution of groundwater that’s connected to the river, the EPA must should direct International Paper and WestRock to clean up the roughly 140 acres of contaminated waste dumps. Additionally, EPA should conduct supplemental groundwater, soil, and wildlife exposure testing to better characterize the source and pathways of pollutants and develop a thorough and comprehensive cleanup that results in a river that is reconnected with its floodplain. The EPA has the authority through the Superfund process to require these cleanup actions.

“The Clark Fork Coalition and many others have worked hard to heal the scars of the Clark Fork River’s hardworking past, but a major wrench in recovery is the shuttered Smurfit-Stone mill,” said Executive Director of the Clark Fork Coalition Karen Knudsen. “Our community wants to do right by its river. It’s been 13 years since the Smurfit-Stone mill closed, and the time for cleanup is now.”

The annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a list of rivers at a crossroads, where key decisions in the coming months will determine the rivers’ fates. Over the years, the report has helped spur many successes including the removal of outdated dams, the protection of rivers with Wild and Scenic designations, and the prevention of harmful development and pollution.

Other rivers in the region listed as most endangered in past years include the Smith River (2018 & 2016), Middle Fork Flathead River (2017) and Kootenai River (2013).

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

About American Rivers
American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. For more information, please visit AmericanRivers.org

PG&E must remove obsolete dams to recover California’s flagging salmon runs

Contact:

Alicia Hamann, alicia@eelriver.org, 707-382-8859
Charlie Schneider, cschneider@caltrout.org 707-217-0409
Meghan Quinn, mquinn@americanrivers.org 530-539-5530
Nikcole Whipple, nikcolewhipple@gmail.com 707-353-0557

Washington — American Rivers today named California’s Eel River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, citing Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E’s) Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project that is driving Chinook salmon, steelhead, and Pacific lamprey toward extinction. With PG&E no longer wanting to operate the facilities and revealing new details regarding the downstream risks presented by a seismically unsound Scott Dam, American Rivers, working with a coalition of regional partners, called on federal regulators to require the company to remove the obsolete dams as part of the decommissioning plan.

“The delay in implementing fish passage solutions and restoration of California’s rivers has critically impacted Pacific salmon fisheries, even closing them for the 2023 season,” said Meghan Quinn of American Rivers. “This decommissioning project is an opportunity to revitalize what was once one of the most productive fisheries in California, benefitting local tribes and communities throughout the Eel River basin.”

The high elevation and cool headwaters of the upper Eel River are critical to the recovery of native fish in an era of climate change. But the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project’s two obsolete dams, Scott Dam (built in 1922) and Cape Horn Dam (built in 1908), together completely block access to that habitat. The dams also interrupt natural river processes, leading to habitat loss, proliferation of invasive species, and poor water quality in the Eel River watershed.

“It’s well established that healthy rivers contribute to healthy communities,” said Alicia Hamann, Executive Director for Friends of the Eel River, “In the Eel, this also means revitalizing and sustaining culture, supporting diverse economies, and providing endangered species a path to recovery. Removing both Scott and Cape Horn dams is key to returning California’s third largest watershed to a healthy state.”

“The dams have taken away the natural state of the river, which ties directly to the health of our people, both native and non. On the reservations in my area our groundwater is unsafe and the reduction in salmon runs has taken away an important source of subsistence. The majority of our people have lost the knowledge that we once traveled along the river based on what was accessible or in season. We migrated like our fish from the valley to the oceans and back again.” said Nikcole Whipple, a member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes, intern with Save California Salmon and Justice Fellow with Education Trust. “It’s time for the dams to come down and the river to be whole again. The regeneration of natural ecosystems needs to be a priority to help the underserved and underrepresented indigenous peoples in the Eel River and surrounding basins.”

The dams adversely impact Tribal Nations and Indigenous people for whom the Eel River holds cultural significance and who rely on it for sustenance. Loss of culturally and economically important fish runs, habitat loss and deterioration, and reductions in water quantity and quality are some of the negative impacts caused by the dams.

PG&E has already stated its intent to surrender their operating license and decommission the Project. Federal regulators must prevent PG&E from walking away from the damage its dams have caused. American Rivers and partners underscored the need for PG&E to remove the dams and restore river health.

“It’s clear these dams no longer serve their intended purpose and PG&E has said as much, but it’s also clear that the Project’s impacts, the damage the dams cause to the Eel River and its fish are worse than anticipated. There is no time to waste in getting these dams out of the river” said Charlie Schneider, Lost Coast Project Manager for California Trout.

The Eel River is the ancestral home of Tribal groups including the Wiyot, Sinkyone, Lassik, Nongatl, Yuki, Cahto, Pomo, and Wailaki peoples, and also now the home of other Tribes that were forcibly moved to the area in the early 20th Century. Many of these people continue to live along and care for the river today. The river is the third largest in California, and was once one of the most productive fisheries in the state. Once dam removal is complete, the Eel will be California’s longest free-flowing river.

Other rivers in the region listed as endangered in recent years include the McCloud River (2021), Bear River (2017), and San Joaquin (2016).

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

Contact:

David Moryc, American Rivers Senior Director of River Protections
dmoryc@americanrivers.org | 503-307-1137

Gershon Cohen, Alaska Clean Water Advocacy Project Director
gershon@aptalaska.net | 907-314-0228

American Rivers has named the Chilkat and Klehini Rivers among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, pointing out the threats of a proposed copper and zinc mine that would likely result in contamination of nearby creeks that feed directly into the two rivers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must enforce the Clean Water Act to ensure appropriate permits are obtained for the Palmer Project, by the Canadian and Japanese consortium American Pacific Mining and Dowa Mining and Metals. Furthermore, in order to best care for the watershed, Congress should establish co-management of the area’s federal lands with the Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan.

“The Chilkat Valley is an incredibly unique habitat for all five species of wild salmon, bald eagles, brown bears, and people because the Chilkat and Klehini Rivers are pristine and productive. Developing this copper/zinc mine will result in a huge loss for the region, Alaska, the nation, and the rest of the world,” said Gershon Cohen, Project Director of Alaska Clean Water Advocacy.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of salmon swim from the Pacific Ocean into the Jilḵáat Aani Ḵa Héeni (Chilkat River watershed) to spawn. The Klehini is a main tributary of the Chilkat, and both flow through the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, which is critical habitat hosting the largest congregation of eagles in the world. Additionally, it is home to the Chilkat Tlingits and the people of Haines, Alaska, who depend on these waters for their food, economy, and culture. Public support will play a significant role in advocating for co-management of the watershed with the Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan, whose people have been caretakers of this land for thousands of years.

“Land utilization is fundamentally important to the people of the Chilkat Indian Village at Klukwan (Federally Recognized Tribe). Our ability to live off the land and continue to harvest the wild stocks of salmon, to hunt the bear, and gather the berries that grow in our traditional territory sustains us today, as it has since time immemorial. The natural riches of these lands and waters have allowed our people not only to survive, but to thrive, for untold generations. Endangering the Chilkat River ecosystem with a hard rock mine will have devastating effects on our Tribal people that rely on the Chilkat River and Chilkat Valley as our sustainable food source.” – Kimberley Strong, President  | Chilkat Indian Village 

The Palmer Project is moving to the next stage of mining development where developers look to dig a mile-long “exploratory” tunnel under the Saksaia Glacier. This is directly above the Klehini River and the excavation will likely create huge waste storage piles and a major wastewater discharge that will almost certainly contaminate the creeks and rivers downstream. This development would be extremely dangerous for the already fragile ecosystem of the Chilkat Valley.

Congress and the EPA need to uphold the Clean Water Act and ensure social and environmental justice is served. Both entities must act now to ensure that fundamental protections guaranteed by the CWA are not abandoned, and mandate that the mining consortium apply for a standard surface water discharge permit. This will ensure all applicable State and federal water quality standards are met.

“Wild salmon are under increasing threat from climate change and ocean conditions, which means we must do all we can to protect freshwater habitat. The Canadian and Japanese owners of this project have refused to engage with Haines or the CIV, have not applied for or received the proper permits related to water quality and clearly don’t care about the health and productivity of the Chilkat watershed,” said Alaska Director for Rivers Without Borders Chris Zimmer. “We can’t let short term mine profits for foreign companies threaten the long-term health of the Chilkat watershed and those who depend on it.”

The annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a list of rivers at a crossroads, where key decisions in the coming months will determine the rivers’ fates. The report has helped spur many successes including the removal of outdated dams, the protection of rivers with Wild and Scenic designations, and the prevention of harmful development and pollution.

Rivers in the region listed as most endangered in past years include the Chilkat River (2019), Stikine River (2019) and Rivers of Bristol Bay (2018).

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

Federal Investment Needed to Protect Public Health Along the Ohio River

Contact: Heather Taylor-Miesle, American Rivers, htaylor-miesle@americanrivers.org, 202-423-4794

Washington — American Rivers today named the Ohio River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, citing that a lack of federal designation and investment leaves this vital river and watershed vulnerable. The Ohio River is the backbone of the environment, the economy, the culture, and the history for the communities that live along the mainstream and throughout the Basin. The Ohio River watershed is the primary drinking water source for over 5 million people.

“The Ohio River is one of the most vibrant, resilient ecosystems in the country, as evidenced by its ability to support a rich assemblage of aquatic life and offers recreational opportunities for the surrounding communities, on top of serving as a major transportation corridor and drinking water source. The protection of this valuable resource against current threats is absolutely critical and essential to our region,” says Chris Lorentz, vice-chair of the Ohio River Basin Alliance.

The Ohio River Basin is one of the largest watersheds in the nation and drains from areas affected by environmental pollution from heavy industrialization, including mining and resource extraction for energy development, chemical production, and durable goods manufacturing. This has resulted in significant discharges of toxic chemicals, including both legacy chemicals (such as mercury and dioxins) and chemicals of emerging concern (especially PFAS and Gen-X chemicals) as well as acid mine drainage. These forms of pollution threaten human and ecosystem health.

This vulnerability is most recently exemplified by the chemical release in East Palestine, Ohio, resulting from a Norfolk Southern train derailment which created harmful air pollution and leaked hazardous butyl acrylate into the Ohio River. This chemical disaster has left the future for an entire village uncertain.

To protect the Ohio River and the millions who depend on it, local partners and residents in the Ohio River Valley, with support from American Rivers, are calling on Congress. The federal government must designate the river as a protected water system and commit to significant, sustained federal funding for both the Ohio River Basin Alliance (ORBA) Restoration Plan and technical upgrades for the river monitoring equipment of the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO). These actions will secure general improvements to safeguard drinking water including increased baseline water monitoring and disaster preparedness. The Restoration Plan will also support the ecological well-being of the river, create ample recreation opportunities and invest in quality of life for communities throughout the watershed.

“Unlike the Great Lakes, Puget Sound, and the Everglades, the Ohio River is not designated as a federally protected water system. With federal designation, the door is opened to critical funding for restoration. Public health protections, including investments in ecosystem restoration and technical upgrades for water monitoring systems, are required to safeguard the drinking water of the over 5 million people who depend on the watershed for their primary drinking water source.” – Heather Sprouse, Ohio River Coordinator, West Virginia Rivers Coalition.

“Decades of environmental pollution have threatened the health of the Ohio River, and we’re proud to be joining many different stakeholders to fight for its future. It is absolutely essential that we guarantee real investment in the Ohio River for the many communities along its shores,” said Chris Tavenor, Associate General Counsel for the Ohio Environmental Council.

The word “Ohio” comes from the Seneca name for the river, Ohiyo, which means “it is beautiful.” Despite a legacy of heavy industrialization, the river continues to support rich history and culture and provides critical habitat for 150 species of fish and other aquatic life including many endangered species. The rivers, streams and tributaries are a source of recreation for communities throughout the watershed. Each year, the Ohio River Way hosts Paddlefest, which is the largest paddling gathering in the U.S. River enthusiasts paddle 250 miles of river between Portsmouth, OH and Louisville, KY.

“The economic future of communities along the Ohio River depends in large part on the protection and restoration of the water system,” said Ben Hunkler, Communications Manager with the Ohio River Valley Institute. “Research shows a cleaner, greener economy can create family-sustaining jobs, rejuvenate declining populations, spur much-needed economic growth, and improve quality of life in distressed communities across the Ohio River Valley. A clean, healthy river is a critical component of that transition.”

The Ohio River begins at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, flowing southwest and defining boundaries of Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois before flowing into the Mississippi River in Cairo, Illinois.

“Although the Ohio River spans many miles, it unites everyone; from those that draw their drinking water to those that recreate along its many diverse landscapes. We must protect the river so that we, and future generations, can have a fishable, swimmable, drinkable Ohio River.” – Jess Friss, Director of Community Programs, Three Rivers Waterkeeper

The annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a list of rivers at a crossroads, where key decisions in the coming months will determine the rivers’ fates. Over the years, the report has helped spur many successes including the removal of outdated dams, the protection of rivers with Wild and Scenic designations, and the prevention of harmful development and pollution.

Other rivers in the region listed as endangered in recent years include Ohio’s Big Darby Creek (2019) and Grand River (2012). The Ohio River was listed in 1992, highlighting the threat of dams.

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

Fate of Grand Canyon hangs in the balance with upcoming river management decisions

Contact: Sinjin Eberle, American Rivers, (719) 294-9388

Washington — American Rivers today named the Colorado River’s Grand Canyon America’s Most Endangered River of 2023, citing the harm that climate change and outdated river management have caused to the river’s unique cultural and ecological values. American Rivers highlighted a critical upcoming decision by the Bureau of Reclamation that will decide the fate of the canyon for the years to come.

Basin-wide drought over the last two decades has forced river managers to alter flows released from Glen Canyon Dam, which has severely impacted the health of the Grand Canyon, one of the nation’s most iconic and beloved landscapes. Without high flows to mobilize sand and sediment, beaches within the canyon have eroded severely, harming the habitat of native fish and wildlife, as well as cultural and recreational values. American Rivers urged the Bureau of Reclamation to recognize the important links between human health, healthy communities, and the environment, and to implement measures to better balance water supply and demand that consider and protect the life-promoting Grand Canyon ecosystem

“The Colorado River is on the brink of collapse and the Grand Canyon is in the crosshairs,” said Sinjin Eberle with American Rivers. “Decisions are being made now that will impact the Grand Canyon and the entire river for decades to come. One of our biggest concerns is that leaders will try to solve the basin’s water challenges by sacrificing the health of the Grand Canyon. That would be an utter tragedy. We must pursue lasting solutions that balance water demands with environmental health and safety, and the protection of this beloved national treasure.”

“Diné Natural Law tells us that we should treat Mother Earth as we would treat our own mothers. When she is in distress we should respect and nurture her,” said Erik Stanfield, Navajo Nation Historic Preservation Department. “Our concern for her should not be a reflection of self-interest, but rather an altruistic endeavor to give back when we have taken. We cannot repay all of her gifts, but we can show her kindness, gratitude, and a willingness to sacrifice when she suffers. This is the ethic that we would like to impart to the world outside of Diné-land. The Colorado River, Tooh in Diné Bizaad, is in deep crisis and needs our kindness, gratitude, and sacrifice to heal.”

“The Colorado River is in poor health. Climate change and drought increasingly impact the health and ecosystem of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon as a whole,” said Jakob Maase, AMWG Representative, Hopi Tribe. “The Hopi people have long been stewards of the Grand Canyon and mother Earth. We hope that agencies will listen and work with tribes on tackling these challenges of how to manage and protect the Colorado river and Grand Canyon. Glen Canyon Dam can no longer function in its same capacity and purpose of why it was built, requiring a lot of tribal input & consideration in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The Hopi Tribe will continue to work as stewards in addressing these issues impacting this wonderful place, we all share. It is important to maintain natural flows of the river for a healthy ecosystem for all.”

Winter snowpack has eased the threat of immediate drastic water restrictions, but climate change is still forcing painful decisions about water availability. Over the past two decades, river flows have dropped precipitously, and water levels of Glen Canyon Dam’s Lake Powell and Hoover Dam’s Lake Mead have fallen to historic lows, in large part driven by climate change.

To protect critical infrastructure including dam integrity, hydropower generation and the ability to deliver water through the Grand Canyon to Nevada, Arizona, California and Mexico, the federal government and the seven basin states must continue to work together to develop an equitable system that determines the amount and timing of water flowing through Glen Canyon Dam. (Grand Canyon National Park starts 16 miles below the tailwaters of Glen Canyon Dam.)

Adequate base flows, in addition to frequent high flow events, are more important than ever to plan and maintain in order to support and sustain the vital Grand Canyon ecosystem. These flows are critical to maintaining the natural ecosystem, safeguarding cultural values and archeological sites, and supporting the vibrant recreational assets within the canyon.

“The flowing river is the heart, the lifeblood, of the canyon’s special power.

If the Bureau decides now that in future drought years, dam managers can reduce releases from the dam and turn the river into a mere trickle, that would have drastic consequences for people and nature,” Eberle said.

More than a dozen Tribal Nations and Pueblos consider the Canyon sacred, and millions of visitors a year find awe, excitement, and connection. Diminished flows in the river mean a diminished experience for people. Reducing flows would also further harm the canyon’s ecology and biodiversity, from bighorn sheep and mountain lion, to endangered fish including Humpback Chub and Colorado River pikeminnow.

“For everyone who loves the Grand Canyon, this is an ‘all hands on deck’ emergency. It is vital that the public speaks up loud and clear on behalf of this special place,” Eberle said.

American Rivers called on the Bureau of Reclamation to protect public health and safety and support the ecosystem by ensuring that water delivered through the Grand Canyon is released in a way that not only accounts for critical infrastructure and sustains the river’s essential connection to the Lower Basin States and Mexico, but also protects the canyon’s cultural heritage and natural environment. Ultimately, the decisions being made now will impact the availability of drinking water, agricultural water, and water for the environment for everyone touched by the Colorado River.

American Rivers also underscored the importance of leadership and representation of Colorado River Tribes. As sovereign nations, tribes must have an equal role in the deployment and implementation of federal infrastructure dollars and all future Colorado River management decisions.

Recognized as a World Heritage Site, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and one of the most famous landscapes on earth, the Grand Canyon is the heart of the Colorado River Basin’s natural and cultural fabric. The Colorado River provides drinking water to 40 million people, including some of the nation’s largest cities including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Denver, as well as 30 federally recognized Tribes including the Navajo, Ute, Havasupai, and many others. The Colorado River provides irrigation water for nearly six million acres of ranch and farmland, including farms that grow 90 percent of this country’s winter vegetables. The river is also the engine of a recreational economy dependent on adequate river flows and water supplies to operate. In all, the Basin feeds a $1.4 trillion economy integrally connected to the broader national economy.

Now in its 38^th year, the annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a list of rivers at a crossroads, where key decisions in the coming months will determine the rivers’ fates. The report has helped spur many successes including the removal of outdated dams, the protection of rivers with Wild and Scenic designations, and the prevention of harmful development and pollution.

The entire Colorado River was listed as America’s Most Endangered River last year. The river has appeared on the list a total of 12 times since 1991.

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

Poorly planned development threatens clean water

Contact: Lia Mastropolo, 717-763-0743
Donna Kohut, 570-778-3979

Washington — American Rivers today named Pennsylvania’s Lehigh River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, citing the threat that poorly planned proliferation of warehouse and distribution centers poses to river health. American Rivers and partners called on decision makers to improve protections for the river in order to safeguard clean water.

According to Lia Mastropolo, Director of Clean Water Supply at American Rivers, “The Lehigh is the backyard river for half a million people, and the keystone to Northeastern Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry. But unprecedented development of open space for warehousing and distribution centers now threatens the region’s clean water and wildlife, and the communities and economies that rely on them.”

The Lehigh Valley has become the logistics hub of the eastern seaboard, with warehouses and distribution centers already covering more than four square miles of land within the watershed. According to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, there’s roughly another square mile of development in the pipeline.

This poorly planned development threatens the Lehigh River by converting critical forest and wetlands to hard surfaces—roofs and parking lots. These impervious surfaces prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground. Instead, warm, salty, dirty water runs off the pavement directly into the river and its tributaries. This flooding and pollution, and the paving of the remaining open space in the urban stretches in the Lehigh Valley, disproportionately impact downstream communities that have already borne the brunt of environmental degradation and climate change.

“Distribution centers, in their scale and speed paving over land in the Lehigh River watershed, are permanently altering how the water flows across the landscape,” said Donna Kohut of Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future. “By recognizing how these land use changes endanger the Lehigh – a river that has long suffered from harmful industry impacts – we can focus on prioritizing solutions to protect it from further degradation. We must educate local municipalities and residents about the impacts and pass statewide legislation to ensure these waterways have forested riparian buffers that protect water quality and wildlife habitat. And we must protect what is already pristine so we can invest in the downstream waters that are increasingly impaired and degraded.”

American Rivers and partners called on state and federal leaders to make crucial funding and legislative decisions to protect water quality from land development throughout the watershed. This includes fully funding the Delaware River Basin Commission, which oversees water quality protections for the Lehigh and other rivers in the basin, and supporting other state and federal programs to manage development wisely.

“We’ve seen the impact that unchecked distribution center development has had on the Lehigh River valley,” said Jim Vogt of the Aquashicola/Pohopoco Watershed Conservancy. “As the industry has its sights set on cheaper land up north, we must hold strong against this tide in the upper Lehigh River watershed and protect Poconos headwaters from this same degradation.”

“Protecting all watersheds in the Poconos is critical to the economic vitality of the entire Lehigh River region”, says Rich Troscianecki, President of the Board of Directors for North Pocono CARE. “Much of this region relies on the influx of tourists to sustain the local economies. The onslaught of unchecked development will severely impact the economic vitality of the tourism in the region.”

From its headwaters in the boreal forests of the Pocono Plateau, the Lehigh River flows 109 miles to its confluence with the Delaware River in Easton, Pennsylvania. The river valley is the ancestral home of the Lenape people, and includes present-day cities of Allentown and Bethlehem. The river’s name comes from the Lenape name for the river, Lechewuekink, which means “where there are forks”. Part of the Lehigh River is designated as one of Pennsylvania’s Scenic Rivers, and the headwaters are designated as Exceptional Value. The river is a direct drinking water source for hundreds of thousands of people, and as a tributary to the Delaware River, supports the drinking water supply of 15 million.

Other rivers in the region listed as endangered in recent years include the southern Youghiogheny River (2020) and Susquehanna River (2016).

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

List underscores threats to human health and public safety

Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145

Visit AmericanRivers.org/EndangeredRivers

Washington — American Rivers released its annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® today, spotlighting ten rivers where human health and safety are at risk. The report amplifies the voices of local partners and spotlights decisions that will determine the fates of the rivers.

“Healthy rivers are essential to human health and public safety. When rivers are sick, people suffer,” said Tom Kiernan, President and CEO of American Rivers. “This report sounds the alarm. It is a national call to action to defend these rivers and all of the life they support.”

This year’s list underscores how health and safety are threatened by climate change, pollution, dams, and other threats to rivers. Communities of color and Tribal Nations are disproportionately impacted by these threats.

Toxic pollution in the Ohio River and Montana’s Clark Fork is raising serious concerns for the health of people and wildlife. Cultural health, sacred places, and traditional food sources are threatened along the Colorado River’s Grand Canyon, Alaska’s Chilkat River, and Washington’s Snake River. And from Pennsylvania’s Lehigh River to Mississippi’s Pearl River, harmful development and flooding threaten community safety and drinking water sources. 

On the Colorado River’s Grand Canyon, #1 on this year’s list, climate change and outdated river management have harmed unique cultural and ecological values. The Bureau of Reclamation is considering changes to how water is released from Glen Canyon Dam into the Grand Canyon, which could cause substantially more harm to this iconic place. More than a dozen Tribal Nations and Pueblos consider the canyon sacred, and millions of visitors a year are drawn to Grand Canyon National Park, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The canyon is rich in wildlife, from bighorn sheep and mountain lion, to endangered fish including humpback chub and Colorado River pikeminnow. The river is the lifeblood of this special place and if flows are reduced, people and wildlife will all feel the impact.

“The Grand Canyon is one of the most beloved and important landscapes in the world. This is a critical test for how we prioritize the environment as a key component of public health and safety as we solve the Southwest’s water crisis and strive to meet the basin’s water needs. If decision makers sacrifice the health of the river that would be shortsighted and ultimately disastrous for the health and livelihoods of the 40 million people who depend on the Colorado River,” Kiernan said.

Nationwide, two-thirds of our water comes from rivers. Rural and urban areas depend on rivers for clean drinking water, food production, economic vitality, and cultural connection. But the EPA estimates that forty-four percent of waterways in the U.S. are too polluted for fishing or swimming. Freshwater species are going extinct faster than ocean or land species, and rivers are among the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. Climate change is fueling more severe floods and droughts, and unjust policies put the burden of these impacts disproportionately on communities of color and Tribal Nations.

“America’s Most Endangered Rivers is a snapshot of the threats facing rivers nationwide,” Kiernan said. “We must defend these ten rivers and demand greater protections for all three million miles of rivers across our country.”

“Rivers and streams are our nation’s circulatory system, like the veins and arteries in our own bodies. Our health and our future are directly linked to our rivers.”

In its 38^th year, America’s Most Endangered Rivers amplifies the voices of local leaders speaking up for rivers at risk. By generating national attention and mobilizing the public to act, the campaign delivers results for rivers and all of the life they support. 

American Rivers reviews nominations for America’s Most Endangered Rivers from local groups and individuals across the country, and selects rivers based on three criteria:

1) The river’s significance to people and wildlife

2) The magnitude of the threat to the river and communities, especially in light of climate change and environmental injustice

3) A decision in the next 12 months that the public can influence

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

Investment in affordable clean energy alternatives will allow for dam removal and river restoration.

Contact: Kyle Smith, American Rivers, 541-729-5830

Washington — American Rivers today named the Snake River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, citing the threat that the four lower Snake River dams pose to endangered salmon, climate resilience, and the region’s Tribal Nations. American Rivers and partners called on Congress and the Biden administration to act with urgency and invest in clean energy infrastructure so that the four lower Snake dams can be removed.

“This is our moment to turn a staggering crisis into a transformational opportunity,” said Kyle Smith with American Rivers. “We can set the Northwest on a course to economic strength, cultural revitalization, and security in the face of climate change.”

“But the clock is ticking and salmon are slipping toward extinction. We need these investments and actions now.”

The four dams on eastern Washington’s lower Snake River have contributed to dramatic decreases in the basin’s salmon and steelhead populations, with all four Snake Basin salmon and steelhead populations listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The dams have had disastrous impacts on the cultures and livelihoods of Tribal Nations across the region. The lack of salmon as a source of both food and culture has been devastating, and the U.S. is failing to uphold treaties and fulfill commitments to Northwest Tribal Nations.

Scientists agree that dam removal is the cornerstone of any effective salmon recovery plan. But since the lower Snake dams provide critical irrigation, transportation, and hydropower generation, these services must be replaced. American Rivers called on Congress and the Biden administration to prioritize these investments, including investments in native-led clean energy efforts.

“Infrastructure investment and river restoration is the launching point for a stronger Pacific Northwest,” said Smith. “We are demanding that our leaders prioritize affordable clean energy, and irrigation and transportation services, along with river restoration, so that all of the Snake River’s communities can thrive into the future.”

The Snake River begins high in the mountains of Wyoming and flows for more than 1,000 miles before merging with the Columbia River at the Tri-Cities in eastern Washington. As the largest tributary of the Columbia, the Snake once produced 40 percent of the prized Chinook salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin. Each year, fewer Snake River salmon complete the return trip from the ocean in what remains the longest distance, highest elevation salmon migration on earth. The Snake River and its main tributaries once produced 2 to 6 million salmon and steelhead every year. As a keystone species, these fish support the entire food web from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, including at least 135 species, from eagles to salamanders to endangered Southern Resident killer whales. Salmon are at the heart of the cultures of Northwest Tribal Nations—integral to religion, identity, and physical sustenance.

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

Dam and development scheme would worsen Jackson’s drinking water and flooding problems

Contact: Olivia Dorothy, American Rivers, 217-390-3658

Washington — American Rivers today named the Pearl River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, citing the threat that a private real estate development scheme poses to one of the most biodiverse rivers in the U.S. and the primary drinking water source for Jackson, Mississippi. American Rivers and partners called on the Biden Administration to stop the project and invest in environmentally-sustainable flood relief for the predominantly Black community of Jackson while protecting the Pearl River and all the communities and economies that rely on it.

“The One Lake project is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. No matter how promoters dress it up, this project would damage river health and worsen Jackson’s flooding and drinking water crisis,” said Olivia Dorothy with American Rivers. “Instead of lining the pockets of private real estate developers, our leaders must deliver real drinking water and flood protection solutions for the people of Jackson.”

The Pearl River is threatened by a real estate development scheme masquerading as a flood control project. This “One Lake” project would dredge and dam the Pearl River to create new waterfront property, destroying vital fish and wildlife habitat, worsening Jackson’s flooding and drinking water crisis, increasing toxic contamination, and reducing freshwater flows critical to the region’s important seafood and tourism economies.

“Downstream communities and industries that depend on the Pearl River will pay the price if One Lake moves forward,” said Martha Watts, Mayor of Monticello, MS. “The project would expose toxic pollution, threaten the integrity of municipal infrastructure, like bridges and drinking water supplies, and interfere with permitted businesses already working on the river.”

The project would dredge 10-miles of the Pearl River, destroying 2,500 acres of mostly wetland habitat and disturbing eight highly contaminated toxic sites with no plan to protect public health. A new dam would be constructed to contain the dredged 1,900-acre impoundment, and the dredged material will be used to build new waterfront property for real estate development putting more people in harm’s way of flooding.

The project would worsen Jackson’s significant urban flash flooding and stormwater drainage problems, permanently elevating water levels in eight tributary creeks that flow through primarily low-income Black neighborhoods. One Lake would add to the city’s drinking water and water quality problems, including the discharge of billions of gallons of untreated and poorly treated sewage that has already closed the Pearl to public contact recreation in the Jackson area.

“The One Lake project will cause irrevocable damage to the Pearl River ecosystem in the project area and downstream,” said Abby Braman, Pearl Riverkeeper. “Dredging will destroy almost 2000 acres of wetlands, and damage habitat for two threatened species and the new dam will complicate existing flash flooding along Jackson’s urban creeks.”

While the Army Corps is currently reviewing the environmental documents developed by the private interests and has yet to decide whether the project merits moving forward, the agency has already committed $221 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to construct the project. American Rivers and partners called on the Army Corps, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to reject the project, and instead prioritize natural infrastructure solutions to provide effective, environmentally-sustainable flood relief to Jackson while protecting the river’s unique ecology and wildlife.

The Pearl River is the only public drinking water source for the city of Jackson, which includes 150,000 residents, 83 percent of whom are Black. The city has struggled for decades to maintain basic water and sewer service and is currently under an Environmental Protection Administration consent decree to enforce established rules and regulations due to sewage discharge violations in the billions of gallons annually. In 2022 the city’s residents were left without clean drinking water for months when one of the City’s two drinking water treatment plants failed.

From its headwaters on native Choctaw lands, the Pearl River flows nearly 500-miles through Mississippi and Louisiana to the Gulf of Mexico. The Pearl River provides habitat for more than 300 species of birds, fish and wildlife, including the federally threatened Gulf sturgeon and ringed sawback turtle, and 125,000 acres of wetland and bottomland hardwood conservation lands. The Pearl supplies freshwater flows critical to the health of the Gulf of Mexico; the region’s oyster, crab, shrimp and tourism industries; and hundreds of industrial and municipal users.

The Pearl River was listed among America’s Most Endangered Rivers in 2015 and 2008. Other rivers in the region listed as endangered in recent years include Turkey Creek (2012), Big Sunflower (2018, 2020), and Pascagoula (2009, 2016).

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

Contact:

Rachel Ellis, American Rivers, Southwest River Protection Program, rellis@americanrivers.org; 505-699-4746
Lea Knutson, Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance, lknutson@hermitspeakwatersheds.org; 505-617-1360
Max Trujillo, HECHO and San Miguel County Commissioner, max@hechoonline.org; 505-617-1851
William Gonzales, Rio Gallinas Acequia Association and New Mexico Acequia Commissioner, wilogonzales@yahoo.com; 505-660-6535
Ralph Vigil, New Mexico Wild and New Mexico Acequia Commission Chairman, ralph@nmwild.org; 505-603-2879

American Rivers has named the Rio Gallinas among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, most notably for the consequences of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire and associated outdated agency protocols for forest management, prescribed burning, and watershed management. These factors pose serious threats to local drinking water, traditional acequia agriculture, and long-term watershed health. The Rio Gallinas flows through New Mexico from the east side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and provides water to the town of Las Vegas, NM. It is a vital tributary to the Pecos River and is home to a rich array of wildlife and supports both recreational and traditional uses.

“The Rio Gallinas faces numerous threats, including drought, reduced snowpack, and the myriad consequences from the fire. If we want to heal the Rio Gallinas and protect it in the future, the state and federal agencies must develop a long-term management approach that is community-driven, locally appropriate, and includes nature-based solutions,” said American Rivers Associate Director of the Southwest River Protection Program, Rachel Ellis.

New Mexico’s waterways are among the most vulnerable in the United State and the Rio Gallinas is a textbook case for the adverse impacts of climate change on Southwestern watersheds. “Without a strong connection to its floodplain and with a loss of wetlands, the Rio Gallinas is experiencing a deficiency in natural water storage that mitigates floods and helps maintain flows during drought” states Lea Knutson of Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance. “Drinking water, farming, fish, wildlife, and overall watershed functions are at risk.”

The river has been devastated in the aftermath of the largest fire in New Mexico history, the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire. In 2022, this fire devastated 341,735 acres, including a majority of the upper Rio Gallinas watershed. The fire was sparked by two United States Forest Service prescribed burns that merged. The final report cited the destruction of over 900 structures, including 300 homes and multiple acequias. The fire and ensuing floods contaminated water sources watershed-wide and resulted in drinking water emergencies and mandatory water cuts. The surrounding communities and environment will continue to experience long-term impacts from flooding, water quality degradation, loss of vegetation, and decreased soil stability because of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire.

“The fire last year was catastrophic, and we can’t afford to have something like this happen again,” said Max Trujillo. Trujillo, a San Miguel County Commissioner and senior New Mexico Field Coordinator for HECHO, continued, “we need our federal and state agencies to establish stronger policies and protocols for engaging with the local community around watershed management and prescribed burning.”

Modernizing forest management policies and protocols is essential to improving watershed health. The lack of government agency collaboration and community engagement are hindering efforts to save the Rio Gallinas. Federal and state agencies, including the Santa Fe National Forest, Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) Forestry Division, and New Mexico Environment Department are being asked to come together with the local community and local watershed organizations for the first annual New Mexico Fire and Water Summit in the Summer of 2023. The goal of the Summit is to create a long-term management and mitigation plan for the Rio Gallinas watershed.

“The Rio Gallinas and the acequias and communities that depend on it are resilient. But if we want the Gallinas to continue providing for us, our children, and our grandchildren we must collaborate in a manner that benefits the entire Rio Gallinas watershed,” said William Gonzales of the Rio Gallinas Acequia Association and New Mexico Acequia Commission.

Other rivers in the region listed as Most Endangered in past years include the Colorado River (2022), Pecos River (2021), and Gila River (2019).

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

Mining threatens clean water, wildlife habitat in national treasure

Contact:
Ben Emanuel, American Rivers, 706-340-8868
Rena Ann Peck, Executive Director, Georgia River Network, 404-395-6250, rena@garivers.org

Washington — American Rivers today named Georgia and Florida’s Okefenokee Swamp among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, citing the threat that a proposed heavy mineral sands mine poses to this critically important wetland ecosystem. American Rivers and partners called on the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to deny the permits for the mine in order to preserve clean water, wildlife habitat, and natural and cultural heritage.

“Some places are simply too special and should be off-limits to pollution and harmful development,” said Ben Emanuel, Southeast Conservation Director with American Rivers. “The Okefenokee Swamp is one of those places. The state of Georgia must do the right thing and stop the mine that would devastate the clean water and wildlife habitat of this national treasure.”

Both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency predict that the proposed mine, located within three miles of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and designed to extract titanium bearing minerals, would result in “permanent” and “unacceptable” damage to the Okefenokee Swamp, a unique wetland nearly half a million acres in size and home to alligators, carnivorous plants, an abundance of birds, several threatened and endangered species, and the Florida black bear.

Independent hydrologists who have reviewed the proposed mining operation predict that the mine will lower water levels in the swamp by pumping millions of gallons of water from the aquifer that underlies the swamp and by altering the hydrology of Trail Ridge, a sandy rise of land that serves to regulate water levels in the swamp.

“People across the state and nation, including Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, have called on Georgia’s leaders to stop this mine,” said Rena Peck, Executive Director of Georgia River Network. “The Okefenokee is an irreplaceable and one-of-a-kind wilderness; it should not be risked to obtain common minerals that can be more safely secured elsewhere.”

More than 160,000 individual comments opposing the mine have been generated through the advocacy of the Okefenokee Protection Alliance and Georgia Water Coalition, which represent some 300 organizations. Recent polling shows that more than 70 percent of Georgia voters oppose the mine.

American Rivers and partners called on the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to deny all permits that would enable the proposed mine to be built. American Rivers also called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to do its duty and re-engage as the proper authority over permitting decisions regarding the proposed mine.

The Okefenokee Swamp is part of the ancestral lands of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. A unique international treasure, it is a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site. Uncompromised by agriculture or industrial development, the swamp is one of the world’s healthiest large-scale freshwater ecosystems. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge—the largest national wildlife refuge in the eastern United States—receives an average of 600,000 visits annually. In addition to more than $50 million in local spending annually, Okefenokee Swamp tourism supports an estimated 826 jobs and $17.5 million in employment income.

The Okefenokee Swamp was listed among America’s Most Endangered Rivers in 2020. Other rivers in the region listed as endangered in recent years include the Ocklawaha (2020) and the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin (2016).

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

American Rivers statement

Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145

For the first time since 2018, the US Bureau of Reclamation has authorized a High Flow Experiment to be conducted from Glen Canyon Dam into the Grand Canyon. The agency announced today that this high flow, lasting roughly 72 hours at a volume of 39,500 cubic feet per second, will be conducted starting in the early morning of Monday, April 24 and lasting through the evening of Thursday, April 27.

High Flow Experiments are one of the best tools available to improve ecological conditions within Grand Canyon. These short duration, high flows through the canyon mobilize sand and move it downstream, rebuilding beaches and sandbars, scouring encroaching vegetation, and improving aquatic habitat for fish and insect life.

Sinjin Eberle with American Rivers made the following statement:

“The health of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon has suffered for years due to the impacts of dams, strained river management, and drought. We applaud the Bureau of Reclamation for taking this critical step toward improving the health the Grand Canyon’s ecological and cultural resources. The Grand Canyon is an iconic treasure, sacred to the eleven tribes deeply connected with this place, and we must prioritize its restoration as we work more broadly to solve the basin’s water crisis.”