America's Most Endangered Rivers

The Colorado River has been named America's Most Endangered River seven times.

America's Most Endangered Rivers is a list of threatened rivers in the United States compiled by the nonprofit group American Rivers. First published in 1984, the annual list spotlights ten threatened rivers–rivers that are facing environmental degradation due to existing or proposed development projects. The list is intended to build public awareness and spur action toward addressing specific environmental issues.[1][2]

Most-listed rivers

A number of rivers have been listed on America's Most Endangered Rivers multiple times, either in whole or in part. This list includes items that have appeared three or more times.

Times listed River First listed Last listed
14 Snake River 1991 2023
13 Mississippi River 1991 2025
12 Colorado River 1991 2023
Missouri River 1994 2021
9 Columbia River 1988 2015
8 Penobscot River 1989 1996
6 American River 1988 1996
Big Sunflower River 2002 2024
Klamath River 1987 2003
Rio Grande 1993 2025
5 Animas River 1988 2001
Chattahoochee River 1996 2016
Platte River 1987 2003
San Joaquin River 1997 2016
Susquehanna River 1988 2016
4 Alsek River 1990 1993
Coosa River 1999 2022
Flint River 2000 2016
Hudson River 1996 2019
Kansas River 1995 2012
Passaic River 1990 2025
Rogue River 1993 2015
Tatshenshini River 1990 1993
3 Apalachicola River 2000 2016
Black River 1986 1988
Boundary Waters 2013 2021
Rivers of Bristol Bay 2006 2018
Catawba River 2001 2013
Clarks Fork Yellowstone River 1994 1996
Coal River 1999 2012
Pearl River 2008 2023
Gila River 2008 2019
Kern River 1986 2022
Little Bighorn River 1987 1989
Merrimack River 1986 2016
Niobrara River 1986 2013
Pinto Creek 1996 1998
Potomac River 1997 2012
Skykomish River 2005 2017
Smith River (Montana) 2015 2018
South Fork Salmon River 2018 2020
Tallapoosa River 1999 2003
White Salmon River 1996 2007

Lists

2025 rivers

On April 15, 2025,[3] American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2025.[4]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Mississippi River MN, WI, IL, IA, MO, KY, TN, AR, MS, LA Changes to FEMA and other federal agencies impacting flood prevention and response
2 Tijuana River CA Severe chemical, sewage, and trash pollution
3 Rivers of Southern Appalachia NC, SC, TN, GA Flooding and landslides from Hurricane Helene and future storms
4 Passaic River NJ, NY Incomplete chemical pollution cleanup efforts
5 Lower Rio Grande TX Water scarcity and pollution
6 Rappahannock River VA Over-withdrawal due to increased water demand
7 Clearwater River Basin ID Pollution and habitat destruction from proposed logging, mining, and dam-building
8 Susitna River AK Pollution from road construction and petroleum extraction
9 Calcasieu River LA Pollution from chemical plants and oil refineries
10 Gauley River WV Pollution from strip mining in the Cherry River headwaters

2024 rivers

On April 16, 2024,[5] American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2024.[6]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Rivers of New Mexico NM Loss of federal protections
2 Big Sunflower and Yazoo Rivers MS Pumping project
3 Duck River TN Over-withdrawal
4 Santa Cruz River AZ Scarcity, climate change
5 Pee Dee River NC, SC Development, road construction
6 Farmington River CT, MA Dam
7 Trinity River CA Mismanagement
8 Kobuk River AK Road construction, mining
9 Tijuana River CA Pollution
10 Blackwater River WV Highway development

2023 rivers

On April 18, 2023,[7] American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2023.[8]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Grand Canyon of the Colorado River AZ Climate change, mismanagement
2 Ohio River PA, OH, WV, KY, IN, IL Pollution, climate change
3 Pearl River MS Dredging, dams
4 Snake River ID, OR, WA Dams
5 Clark Fork River MT Pollution
6 Eel River CA Dams
7 Lehigh River PA Development
8 Chilkat and Klehini Rivers AK Mining
9 Rio Gallinas NM Climate change, mismanagement
10 Okefenokee Swamp GA, FL Mining

2022 rivers

On April 19, 2022,[9] American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2022.[10]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Colorado River CO, UT, AZ, NV, CA, WY, NM Climate change, mismanagement
2 Snake River ID, OR, WA Dams
3 Mobile River AL Pollution
4 Maine's Atlantic salmon rivers ME Dams
5 Coosa River TN, GA, AL Pollution
6 Mississippi River MN, WI, IL, IA, MO, KY, TN, AR, MS, LA Pollution, habitat loss
7 Lower Kern River CA Over-withdrawal
8 San Pedro River AZ Over-withdrawal
9 Los Angeles River CA Development, pollution
10 Tar Creek OK Pollution

2021 rivers

The Ice Harbor Dam is one of four dams on the Lower Snake River causing it to top the 2021 list.

On April 13, 2021,[11] American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2021.[12]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Snake River ID, OR, WA Dams
2 Lower Missouri River MO, IA, NE, KS Mismanagement, climate change
3 Boundary Waters MN Mining
4 South River GA Pollution
5 Pecos River NM Mining
6 Tar Creek OK Pollution
7 McCloud River CA Dams
8 Ipswich River MA Over-withdrawal
9 Raccoon River IA Pollution
10 Turkey Creek MS Development

2020 rivers

On April 14, 2020,[13] American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2020.[14]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Upper Mississippi River MN, WI, IL, IA Climate change, mismanagement
2 Lower Missouri River MO, IA, NE, KS Climate change, mismanagement
3 Big Sunflower River MS Habitat loss
4 Puyallup River WA Dams
5 South Fork Salmon River ID Mining
6 Menominee River MI, WI Mining
7 Rapid Creek SD Mining
8 Okefenokee Swamp and St. Marys River GA, FL Mining
9 Ocklawaha River FL Dams
10 Lower Youghiogheny River PA Natural gas

2019 rivers

On April 16, 2019,[15] American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2019.[16]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Gila River NM Over-withdrawal
2 Hudson River NY Storm-surge barrier
3 Upper Mississippi River IL, IA, MO Levees
4 Green-Duwamish River WA Habitat loss
5 Willamette River OR Dams
6 Chilkat River AK Mining
7 South Fork Salmon River ID Mining
8 Buffalo National River AR Pollution
9 Big Darby Creek OH Development
10 Stikine River AK Mining

2018 rivers

On April 11, 2018,[17] American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2018.[18]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Big Sunflower River MS Pumping project
2 Rivers of Bristol Bay AK Mining
3 Boundary Waters MN Mining
4 Lower Rio Grande TX Habitat loss
5 South Fork Salmon River ID Mining
6 Mississippi River Gorge MN Dams
7 Smith River MT Mining
8 Colville River AK Development
9 Middle Fork Vermilion River IL Pollution
10 Kinnickinnic River (St. Croix River tributary) WI Dams

2017 rivers

On April 11, 2017,[19] American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2017.[20]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Lower Colorado River AZ, NV, CA Climate change, over-withdrawal
2 Bear River CA Dams
3 South Fork Skykomish River WA Hydropower
4 Rivers of Mobile Bay AL, GA, MS Mismanagement
5 Rappahannock River VA Fracking
6 Green-Toutle River WA Mining
7 Neuse and Cape Fear Rivers NC Livestock pollution
8 Middle Fork Flathead River MT Oil transport
9 Buffalo National River AR Livestock pollution
10 Menominee River MI, WI Mining

2016 rivers

In April 2016, American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2016.[21]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin AL, FL, GA Mismanagement
2 San Joaquin River CA Mismanagement
3 Susquehanna River PA Dams
4 Smith River MT Mining
5 Green-Duwamish River WA Dams, pollution
6 Pee Dee River NC Dams
7 Russell Fork River KY, WV Mining
8 Merrimack River MA, NH Pollution
9 St. Lawrence River NY Dams
10 Pascagoula River MS, AL Dams

2015 rivers

On April 7, 2015,[22] American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2015.[23]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Grand Canyon of the Colorado River AZ Development, mining, groundwater depletion
2 Columbia River WA, OR Dams
3 Holston River TN Pollution
4 Smith River MT Mining
5 Edisto River SC Over-withdrawal
6 Chuitna River AK Mining
7 Rogue and Smith Rivers OR, CA Mining
8 St. Louis River MN Mining
9 Harpeth River TN Pollution, over-withdrawal
10 Pearl River MS, LA Dams

2014 rivers

Friant Dam diverting much of the San Joaquin River into irrigation canals. Water mismanagement led to the San Joaquin topping the 2014 list.

On April 9, 2014,[24] American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2014.[25]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 San Joaquin River CA Mismanagement
2 Upper Colorado River CO Water diversions
3 Middle Mississippi River MO, IL, KY Mismanagement
4 Gila River NM Water diversions
5 San Francisquito Creek CA Dams
6 South Fork Edisto River SC Over-withdrawal
7 White River (Colorado) CO Petroleum development
8 White River (Washington) WA Dams
9 Haw River NC Pollution
10 Clearwater and Lochsa Rivers ID Industrializaton

2013 rivers

In April 2013, American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2013.[26]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Colorado River CO, UT, AZ, NV, CA, WY, NM Mismanagement
2 Flint River GA Mismanagement
3 San Saba River TX Mismanagement
4 Little Plover River WI Mismanagement
5 Catawba River NC, SC Coal ash pollution
6 Boundary Waters MN Mining
7 Black Warrior River AL Mining
8 Rough & Ready and Baldface Creeks OR Mining
9 Kootenai River MT, ID Mining
10 Niobrara River NE, SD, WY Sedimentation

2012 rivers

In May 2012, American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2012.[27]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Potomac River MD, VA, PA, WV, DC Pollution
2 Green River WY, UT, CO Pumping project
3 Chattahoochee River GA Dams
4 Missouri River CO, IA, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE, ND, SD, WY Mismanagement
5 Hoback River WY Natural gas
6 Grand River OH Natural gas
7 South Fork Skykomish River WA Dams
8 Crystal River CO Dams
9 Coal River WV Mining
10 Kansas River KS Dredging

2011 rivers

In May 2011, American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2011.[28]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Susquehanna River NY, PA, MD Natural gas
2 Rivers of Bristol Bay AK Mining
3 Roanoke River VA, NC Mining
4 Chicago River IL Sewage pollution
5 Yuba River CA Dams
6 Green River (North Fork Toutle River tributary) WA Mining
7 Hoback River WY Natural gas
8 Black Warrior River AL Mining
9 St. Croix River WI, MN Bridge project
10 Ozark National Scenic Riverways MO Overuse, mismanagement

2010 rivers

On June 2, 2010, American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2010.[29]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Upper Delaware River NY, PA Natural gas
2 Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta CA Mismanagement
3 Gauley River WV Mining
4 Little River NC Dams
5 Cedar River IA Mismanagement
6 Upper Colorado River CO Water diversions
7 Chetco River OR Mining
8 Teton River ID Teton Dam reconstruction proposal
9 Monongahela River PA, WV Natural gas
10 Coosa River AL Dams

2009 rivers

On April 7, 2009, American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2009.[30]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers CA Mismanagement
2 Flint River GA Dams
3 Lower Snake River ID, OR, WA Dams
4 Mattawoman Creek MD Development
5 North Fork Flathead River MT Proposed mines
6 Saluda River SC Sewage pollution
7 Laurel Hill Creek PA Over-withdrawal
8 Beaver Creek AK Proposed petroleum development
9 Pascagoula River MS Proposed petroleum storage project
10 Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway MN, WI Development

2008 rivers

In May 2008, American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2008.[31]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Catawba-Wateree River NC, SC Mismanagement
2 Rogue River OR Logging, road construction
3 Cache la Poudre River CO Water diversion, dams
4 St. Lawrence River NY Dams
5 Minnesota River MN Proposed power plant
6 St. Johns River FL Over-withdrawal
7 Gila River NM, AZ Proposed water diversion
8 Allagash Wilderness Waterway ME Proposed removal of legal protection
9 Pearl River MS, LA Floodplain development
10 Niobrara River WY, NE Irrigation diversions

2007 rivers

In April 2007, American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2007.[32][33]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Santa Fe River NM Mismanagement
2 San Mateo Creek (Southern California) CA Proposed highway
3 Iowa River IA Pollution
4 Upper Delaware River NY Proposed power line
5 White Salmon River WA Condit Dam
6 Neches River TX Proposed dams
7 Kinnickinnic River (Milwaukee River tributary) WI Toxic sediments
8 Neuse River NC Development
9 Lee River AR, OK Proposed dam
10 Chuitna River AK Proposed coal mine

2006 rivers

In April 2006, American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2006.[34][35]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Pajaro River CA Flood control project
2 Upper Yellowstone River MT Floodplain development
3 Willamette River OR Pollution
4 Salmon Trout River MI Proposed mine
5 Shenandoah River VA, WV Overdevelopment
6 Boise River ID Proposed mine
7 Caloosahatchee River FL Toxic water discharge from Lake Okeechobee
8 Rivers of Bristol Bay AK Proposed mining district
9 San Jacinto River TX Unregulated sand mining
10 Verde River AZ Proposed groundwater pumping

2005 rivers

In April 2005, American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2005.[36][37]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Susquehanna River NY, PA, MD Sewage pollution, proposed dam
2 McCrystal Creek NM Proposed methane drilling
3 Fraser River CO Proposed increase in water withdrawal
4 Skykomish River WA Overdevelopment
5 Roan Creek TN Proposed factory dairy farm
6 Santee River SC Over-withdrawal
7 Little Miami River OH Pollution
8 Tuolumne River CA Proposed increase in water withdrawal
9 Price River UT Proposed dam and dewatering
10 Santa Clara River CA Overdevelopment

2004 rivers

In April 2004, American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2004.[38][39]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Colorado River CO, UT, NV, AZ, CA Pollution
2 Big Sunflower River MS Proposed drainage and dredging project
3 Snake River WY, ID, OR, WA Dams
4 Tennessee River TN, AL, MS, KY Sewage pollution
5 Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers PA, WV, NY Coal mine pollution
6 Spokane River ID, WA Over-withdrawal, pollution
7 Housatonic River MA, CT Polychlorinated biphenyl pollution
8 Peace River FL Phosphate mine pollution
9 Big Darby Creek OH Overdevelopment
10 Mississippi River MN, WI, IL, IA, MO, KY, TN, AR, MS, LA Dams, levees, pollution

2003 rivers

In April 2003, American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 2003.[40][41]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Big Sunflower River MS Proposed drainage and dredging project
2 Klamath River CA, OR Irrigation withdrawals, dams, pollution
3 Ipswich River MA Groundwater pumping, over-withdrawal
4 Gunnison River CO Over-withdrawal
5 Rio Grande CO, NM, TX Diversion and over-withdrawal
6 Mattaponi River VA Proposed dam
7 Platte River WY, CO, NE Proposed water supply development
8 Snake River ID, OR, WA Dams
9 Tallapoosa River AL, GA Dams, overallocation
10 Trinity River TX Proposed flood control project, floodplain development

2002 rivers

On April 4, 2002, American Rivers announced its eleven most endangered rivers of 2002.[42][43]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Missouri River MT, ND, SD, MO, IA, NE, KS Habitat loss from unnatural dam operations
2 Big Sunflower River MS Proposed drainage and dredging project
3 Klamath River CA, OR Irrigation withdrawals, dams, pollution
4 Kansas River KS Agricultural pollution
5 White River AR Irrigation project, proposed navigation project
6 Powder River WY Coal bed methane pollution
7 Altamaha River GA Over-withdrawal
8 Allagash Wilderness Waterway ME Proposed loss of legal protections
9 Canning River AK Proposed petroleum development
10 Guadalupe River TX Proposed over-withdrawal
11 Apalachicola River FL Dredging

2001 rivers

On April 11, 2001, American Rivers announced its thirteen most endangered rivers of 2001.[44][45][46]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Missouri River MT, ND, SD, MO, IA, NE, KS Habitat loss from unnatural dam operations
2 Canning River AK Proposed petroleum development
3 Eel River CA Dams
4 Hudson River NY Polychlorinated biphenyl pollution
5 Powder River WY Coal bed methane pollution
6 Mississippi River MN, WI, IL, IA, MO, KY, TN, AR, MS, LA Proposed flood control project, wetlands destruction, pollution
7 Big Sandy River WV, KY Coal sludge spill
8 Snoqualmie River WA Overdevelopment
9 Animas River CO, NM Proposed water project
10 East Fork Lewis River WA Proposed gravel mine expansion
11 Paine Run VA Acid rain pollution
12 Hackensack River and Meadowlands NJ, NY Overdevelopment
13 Catawba River NC, SC Overdevelopment

2000 rivers

On April 10, 2000, American Rivers announced its thirteen most endangered rivers of 2000.[47][48][49]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Snake River ID, OR, WA Dams
2 Missouri River MT, ND, SD, MO, IA, NE, KS Flood control works
3 Ventura River CA Matilija Dam
4 Copper River AK Proposed logging road
5 Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint and Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basins AL, FL, GA Tri-state water dispute, over-withdrawal, dams, urban sprawl, pollution
6 Coal River WV Mining
7 Rio Grande CO, NM, TX Pollution, dams, water demand
8 Snoqualmie River WA Overdevelopment
9 Mississippi and White Rivers AR Dredging proposal
10 Clear Creek TX Proposed flood control project
11 Green River UT, CO Flaming Gorge Dam
12 Presumpscot River ME Dams impeding American shad and Atlantic salmon migration
13 Clark Fork River MT Proposed silver and copper mine

1999 rivers

Rank River[50][51] State(s) Threats
1 Lower Snake River ID, OR, WA Dams
2 Missouri River MT, ND, SD, MO, IA, NE, KS Flood control works
3 Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin AL, GA Overdevelopment over-withdrawal, pollution
4 San Pedro River AZ Overdevelopment, groundwater pumping
5 Yellowstone River MT, ND Channelization
6 Cedar River WA Overdevelopment, over-withdrawal
7 Fox River IL, WI Overdevelopment, pollution
8 Carmel River CA Overdevelopment, over-withdrawal, dams
9 Coal River WV Mining
10 Bear River UT Overdevelopment, over-withdrawal

1998 rivers

On April 6, 1998, American Rivers announced its twenty most endangered rivers of 1998.[52][53]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Hanford Reach of the Columbia River WA Public land transfer, irrigation, nuclear waste
2 Missouri River MT, ND, SD, MO, IA, NE, KS Channelization, dams
3 Pocomoke River DE, MD, VA Agricultural pollution
4 Kern River CA Dams
5 Blackfoot River MT Proposed gold mine
6 Colorado River Delta BCN, SON Over-allocation
7 Chattahoochee River AL, GA, FL Overdevelopment, pollution
8 Lower Snake River ID, OR, WA Dams
9 Apple River WI, IL Factory hog farm pollution
10 Pinto Creek AZ Proposed copper mine
11 Wolf River WI Proposed mine
12 Potomac River MD, VA, PA, WV, DC Livestock pollution, overdevelopment
13 Rogue and Illinois Rivers, Elk and Rough & Ready Creeks OR Dams, proposed mine
14 Taku River AK Proposed mine
15 Crooked Creek AR In-stream gravel mining
16 Passaic River NJ Contaminated sediments
17 Mattaponi River VA Proposed water development project
18 Walla Walla River OR, WA Flow depletion, agricultural pollution, channelization
19 Uinta River UT Proposed diversion dam
20 Kansas River KS Pollution

1997 rivers

On April 16, 1997, American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 1997.[54]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Missouri River IA, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE, ND, SD Navigation
2 Upper Hudson River NY Polychlorinated biphenyl pollution
3 White Salmon River GA, AL, FL Condit Dam
4 San Joaquin River CA Floodplain development, agricultural pollution
5 Wolf River WI Proposed mine
6 Pinto Creek AZ Proposed copper mine
7 Potomac River MD, VA, PA, WV, DC Livestock pollution, development
8 Mill Creek OH Industrialization, development, channelization
9 Lower Colorado River AZ, NV, CA Over-allocation
10 Tennessee River TN, AL, MS, KY Proposed elimination of the TVA's environmental protection programs

1996 rivers

Rendering of the Auburn Dam proposed on the American River. The dam was ultimately never built.

On April 17, 1996, American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 1996.[55]

Rank River State(s) Threats
1 Clarks Fork Yellowstone River WY, MT Proposed New World Mine
2 American River CA Proposed Auburn Dam
3 Upper Chattahoochee and Etowah Rivers GA, AL, FL Sewage, development, sedimentation
4 Missouri River CO, IA, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE, ND, SD, WY Dams, pollution
5 Upper Hudson River NY Pollution, development, dams
6 Columbia, John Day, and White Salmon Rivers ID, WA, OR Grazing, irrigation diversions, logging, dams
7 Elk River OR Timber sales
8 Pinto Creek AZ Mining
9 Penobscot River ME Basin Mills Dam
10 Animas River CO, NM Water development project

1995 rivers

Rank River[56] State(s) Threats
1 Clarks Fork Yellowstone River WY, MT Mine
2 Los Angeles River CA Flood control, neglect
3 Columbia and Snake Rivers ID, WA, OR Dams, irrigation
4 Animas River CO Water development project
5 Missouri River CO, IA, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE, ND, SD, WY Dams, channelization
6 Kansas River KS Agricultural runoff, sand dredging
7 Mississippi River MN, WI, IL, IA, MO, KY, TN, AR, MS, LA Flood control, runoff
8 Cheat River WV Acid mine drainage, proposed dam
9 Penobscot River ME Dams
10 Thorne River AK Logging

1994 rivers

Rank River[56] State(s) Threats
1 Clarks Fork Yellowstone River WY, MT Mine
2 Anacostia River DC, MD Urban runoff
3 Clavey River CA Dams
4 Columbia and Snake Rivers ID, WA, OR Dams, logging
5 Mississippi River MN, WI, IL, IA, MO, KY, TN, AR, MS, LA Flood control, runoff
6 Missouri River CO, IA, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE, ND, SD, WY Dams, channelization
7 Penobscot River ME Proposed dam
8 Rio Grande CO, NM, TX Pollution, mine waste
9 Thorne River AK Logging
10 Virgin River UT, AZ, NV Diversions, development

1993 rivers

Rank River[56] State(s) Threats
1 Rio Grande and Rio Conchos CO, NM, TX Pollution
2 Columbia, Snake, and Yakima Rivers ID, WA, OR Dams
3 Everglades FL Diversion, agricultural pollution
4 Anacostia River DC, MD Sewage, development, sedimentation, dumping
5 Virgin River UT, AZ, NV Dams
6 Rogue and Illinois OR Logging
7 Penobscot River ME Proposed dam
8 Clavey River CA Hydroelectric project
9 Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers AK Proposed mine
10 Platte River NE Dam

1992 rivers

Rank River[56] State(s) Threats
1 Columbia and Snake Rivers ID, WA, OR Dams
2 Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers AK Proposed mine
3 Great Whale River QC Hydroelectric project
4 Everglades FL Flood control project
5 American River CA Proposed dam
6 Colorado River AZ Glen Canyon Dam
7 Mississippi River MN, WI, IL, IA, MO, KY, TN, AR, MS, LA Hydroelectric, barge spills, agriculture, industrial discharge
8 Penobscot River ME Proposed dam
9 Beaverkill River and Willowemoc Creek NY Logging, development
10 Blackfoot River MT Logging, grazing, agriculture, mining

1991 rivers

Rank River[56] State(s) Threats
1 Colorado River AZ Glen Canyon Dam
2 Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers AK Proposed mine
3 American River CA Proposed dam
4 Penobscot River ME Proposed dam
5 Susquehanna River PA Proposed dam
6 Upper Mississippi River MN, WI, IL, IA Oil spills, hazardous cargo transport
7 Columbia and Snake Rivers ID, WA, OR Dams
8 Gunnison River CO Dam project
9 Passaic River NJ Proposed flood-control tunnel
10 New River NC Development

1990 rivers

Rank River[56] State(s) Threats
1 Klamath River OR Proposed hydroelectric project
2 South Platte River CO Proposed dam
3 Penobscot River ME Proposed dam
4 American River CA Proposed dam
5 Bruneau and Jarbidge Rivers ID Air Force missile range
6 Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers AK Proposed mine
7 Passaic River NJ Proposed flood-control tunnel
8 Cahaba River AL Proposed methane project
9 Jemez River NM Proposed pumice mine
10 James River MO Proposed dam

1989 rivers

Rank River[56] State(s) Threats
1 Platte River CO, NE Dams
2 Klamath River OR Proposed dam
3 American River CA Proposed dam
4 Penobscot River ME Proposed dam
5 Payette River ID Proposed dams
6 James River VA Proposed hydroelectric project
7 Little Bighorn River WY Hydroelectric project
8 Illinois Bayou AR Proposed dam
9 New River NC Development
10 Animas River CO Irrigation project

1988 rivers

Rank River[56] State(s) Threats
1 South Platte River CO Proposed dam
2 Klamath River OR Proposed dam
3 Little Bighorn River WY Proposed dam
4 Greenbrier River WV Proposed dam
5 Platte River NE Dams
6 Hanford Reach of the Columbia River WA Proposed dredging
7 Susquehanna River PA Proposed dam
8 American River CA Proposed dam
9 Animas River CO Proposed irrigation project
10 Black River NY Proposed hydroelectric projects

1987 rivers

American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 1987 via press release, with no accompanying report. All ten rivers faced dam proposals. The rivers were not ranked.[56]

River State(s) Threats
Kings River CA Proposed dam
Merced River CA Proposed dam
Merrimack River NH Proposed dam
Illinois Bayou AR Proposed dam
Verde River AZ Proposed dam
Klamath River OR Proposed dam
Greenbrier River WV Proposed dam
Platte River CO, NE, WY Proposed dam
Little Bighorn River WY Proposed dam
Black River NY Proposed dam

1986 rivers

American Rivers announced its ten most endangered rivers of 1986 via press release, with no accompanying report. The rivers were not ranked.[56]

River State(s) Threats
Kings River CA Proposed hydroelectric project
Merced River CA Proposed hydroelectric project
Kern River CA Proposed dam
Maurice River NJ Proposed toxic waste incinerator site
Menantico Creek NJ Proposed toxic waste incinerator site
Manumuskin River NJ Proposed toxic waste incinerator site
Niobrara River NE Proposed dam
Black River NY Proposed hydroelectric project
Rio Chama NM Proposed raising of reservoir level
Merrimack River NH Dam project at Sewalls Falls

References

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