10 Most Endangered Rivers in America

10 Most Endangered Rivers in America

April 2008  - Diminished by drought, impounded by 
11 hydroelectric dams, and the subject of a U.S. Supreme Court water 
battle between the states of North and South Carolina, the Catawba-Wateree 
River today was named the most endangered river in the United States. 
The Catawba River begins its 300 mile run to the Atlantic Ocean high in 
the Blue Ridge mountains of western North Carolina, and flows through the 
Charlotte metropolitan area before reaching South Carolina, where its name 
changes to the Wateree River. 

This river supplies drinking water to more than a million people along the 
way and supports the water needs of numerous coal and nuclear power 
plants. Duke Energy's renewal of its federal license to manage the Catawba 
is set to expire this year. 
"Water will be the oil of the 21st century," said Rebecca Wodder, 
president of American Rivers, the conservation group that issues the 
annual ranking of the country's most endangered rivers. 
"Yet all across the country, water mismanagement is on full display as 
politicians resort to placing another straw in their rivers, or outright 
stealing water from their neighbors, instead of adopting water policies 
that will make our communities more resilient in the face of global 
warming," said Wodder. 
Those risks are only exacerbated by global warming, she said. 
Each year since 1986, American Rivers has published a list of the 10 most 
endangered rivers in the country. To select the rivers to list, American 
Rivers solicits nominations from thousands of river groups, environmental 
organizations, outdoor clubs, local governments, and taxpayer watchdogs 
The report highlights the rivers facing the most uncertain futures rather 
than those suffering from the worst chronic problems. The report presents 
alternatives to proposals that would damage rivers, identifies those who 
make the crucial decisions, and points out opportunities for the public to 
take action on behalf of each listed river. 
Being named as one of America's Most Endangered Rivers is not an end for 
the river, but rather a beginning, she said. With the listing comes a 
national spotlight and action from thousands of activists across the 
country. These 10 rivers have a chance to be reborn, and to serve as 
models for other rivers all across America. 
"These 10 rivers are at a crossroads, and the choices made by local and 
national decision makers will determine not only the rivers' future, but 
the future of America's fresh water resources," said Wodder. "Water is a 
precious resource, we must treat it as such; the future of our 
communities, our nation, and our planet depends on it." 
America's Most Endangered Rivers in 2008 are:
 
  #1: Catawba-Wateree River in North Carolina and South Carolina 
  While the entire southeastern United States suffers the effects of 
  drought, policy makers want to take more water from the Catawba-Wateree 
  River, rather than focusing on 21st century policies like water 
  conservation and smart development. 
  Without a major change in direction in public policy, the river that 
  provides drinking water for millions of people, pumps tens of millions 
  of dollars into local economies, and is directly responsible for 
  thousands of jobs could be irreparably damaged; and the communities that 
  depend on it will suffer. 
  American Rivers says lawmakers in the Carolinas are among the first to 
  reach this ominous fork in the road, and the direction they choose to 
  take will affect water policy in the Southeast for generations. 

  #2: Rogue River in Oregon 
  One of America's original Wild and Scenic rivers could soon have its 
  wild character destroyed if a plan to log key Rogue River tributaries 
  moves forward. The clearcuts would choke the river with sediment and 
  harm the unique river experience that draws thousands of boaters and 
  anglers each year. 
  The fate of the Rouge River lies in the hands of Congress. American 
  Rivers says lawmakers should pass legislation to grant Wild and Scenic 
  River protections to 98 miles of vital tributaries in the lower Rogue 
  canyon and designate the unprotected roadless areas in the Rogue canyon 
  as Wilderness Areas. 

  #3: Poudre River in Colorado 
  Colorado's only Wild and Scenic River could soon lose much of its 
  remaining water thanks to a scheme proposed by some decision makers to 
  unnecessarily divert billions of gallons of water away from the Cache la 
  Poudre. Such action could cripple Fort Collins, which has christened the 
  river as one of the town's "economic engines." 
  The proposed Northern Integrated Supply Project, NISP, would cost 
  homeowners and taxpayers almost a billion dollars, and subject residents 
  and future generations to the debt for 30 years. 
  The NISP/Glade project, a massive dam-and-reservoir project that would 
  include the 177,000 acre-foot Glade Reservoir, is the largest 
  engineering project proposed along Colorado's Front Range in a quarter 
  century. 
  If built, the project would divert about 35 percent of the water out of 
  the Poudre River as it flows through Fort Collins, in addition to the 60 
  percent of water that is already diverted out of the Poudre. It would 
  wipe out a scenic valley just north of Fort Collins and require the 
  relocation of part of Highway 287 at an enormous cost to ratepayers.

  These Poudre River advocates say the NISP/Glade project is too 
  expensive and will create more problems than it solves.  
  "Because of the NISP/Glade project, Fort Collins has been saddled with a 
  very dubious distinction," said Gary Wockner of the Save The Poudre 
  Coalition.
  "Fort Collins and the region have been called the 'Best Place to Live in 
  America' by Money Magazine and a 'New American Dream Town' by Outside 
  Magazine. We can't let the proposed Glade Reservoir drown our city's 
  reputation. We need to stop this project." 
  "Instead of projects like NISP, we should implement proven and effective 
  water-saving measures," said Wockner. "We also need to work proactively 
  with farmers to find flexible solutions for the benefit of the region - 
  that's the best solution to meeting our water needs, not further 
  draining our rivers." 

  #4: St. Lawrence River in New York and Canada 
  Tens of millions of people in two countries depend on the St. Lawrence 
  River. The health and vitality of this North American waterway is 
  threatened by outdated management plans of the Moses-Saunders Dam that 
  date back to the Eisenhower administration. These 50 year old policies 
  continue to harm the river that supplies drinking water to large 
  sections of the United States and Canada. 

  The Moses-Saunders Dam on the St. Lawrence River  
  The Moses-Saunders Power Dam is jointly owned by the New York Power 
  Authority and Ontario Power Generation and generates about two million 
  kilowatts of electricity.
  
  The management plan for the dam is up for revision. Research conducted 
  by more than 180 scientists from both countries agree that the river's 
  vitality can be improved by implementing a plan known as B+. 
  The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New 
  York State Department of State said in a joint statement March 28 that 
  they are "deeply concerned" over the months-long refusal of the 
  International Joint Commission, IJC, to work in good faith with New York 
  State on the plan for Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence River water levels. 
  "It is our understanding, from several sources, that the IJC intends to 
  go forward with an alternative, dubbed "Plan 2007," which at best, is 
  nearly identical to the ecologically destructive protocol that is 
  currently in place, known as "Plan 1958 DD," the New York State agencies 
  warned. 
  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NOAA and the U.S Fish and 
  Wildlife Service have all expressed support for Plan B+. Both the New 
  York Power Authority and its Canadian counterpart also prefer Plan B+ 
  because it would improve hydroelectric power production to a significant 
  extent. The only U.S. federal agency to express opposition to Plan B+ is 
  the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation of the U.S. Department 
  of ransportation.
   
  The Province of Ontario is still reviewing its options, but Environment 
  Canada has expressed support for Plan B+. 

  #5: Minnesota River in Minnesota 
  The first major tributary to the Mississippi River could soon be robbed 
  of much of its water, due to a plan that would build a coal power plant 
  on the shores of Big Stone Lake. 
  Not only would the proposed Big Stone II project take more than six 
  million gallons of water a day from the Minnesota River, but it would 
  also emit greenhouse gases and mercury into the air. 
  American Rivers says the power plant would cripple the river that brings 
  tens of millions of dollars into the regional economy and spell disaster 
  for the wildlife that inhabits the Minnesota River. 

  #6: St. Johns River in Florida 
  Florida's longest river could soon be robbed of much of its water in an 
  attempt to quench the unending thirst of development in the Sunshine 
  State. The St. Johns River, one of only 14 American Heritage Rivers in 
  the country, is an ecological wonderland that may be damaged or 
  destroyed by water withdrawal. 
  Thriving economies in the region that depend on tourism and recreation 
  dollars. Some of the fastest growing counties in America lie in the St. 
  Johns' watershed and the region's population is expected to double to 
  more than six million people by 2025. 
  The average Floridian uses 160 gallons of water a day; the average 
  American uses only 100 gallons. American Rivers says conservation is the 
  answer that will protect the St. Johns and allow Florida to continue to 
  grow. 
  In addition, the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in the lower St. 
  Johns River exceeds the amount the river can receive and maintain its 
  health, which in the past has led to harmful algal blooms. The St. Johns 
  River Water Management District mounted a campaign April 1 designed to 
  heighten awareness of river health issues, educate the public on how 
  human behaviors impact the river and motivate positive behavioral 
  changes. 

  #7 Gila River in New Mexico and Arizona 
  New Mexico's last free flowing river could soon see some of its water 
  diverted. American Rivers is concerned that New Mexico's Interstate 
  Stream Commission is considering a possible multimillion dollar 
  diversion project to take water out of the Gila for development and 
  growth near Silver City. 
  Governor Bill Richardson said today he will consider proposing a law 
  forbidding dams or diversion projects on the Gila River in southwestern 
  New Mexico. 
  "While this designation is ominous," said the governor, "I am hopeful 
  that this year's listing will result in a renewed effort to protect the 
  Gila River." 
  If enacted, the diversion project could deplete a desert oasis. "As the 
  entire Southwest deals with issues of water scarcity, water managers 
  deciding the fate of the Gila should know that the eyes of America are 
  on them," American Rivers said today. 

  #8 Allagash Wilderness Waterway in Maine 
  One of the most important wild rivers in the entire country is being 
  jeopardized by development pressures and a lack of political leadership, 
  says American Rivers. The Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Maine's only 
  nationally designated Wild and Scenic River, is losing its protections.

  A view of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway  
  The Allagash Wilderness Waterway was established by the Maine 
  Legislature in 1966 to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural 
  beauty, character, and habitat of a unique area. 
  The 92 mile long ribbon of lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams winds 
  through the heart of northern Maine's vast commercial forests.
  A newly appointed advisory council is deciding what to do next on the 
  Allagash. Conservation groups say the Council should advocate for 
  legislative reaffirmation of the original mandate to enhance the 
  "maximum wilderness character" of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. 
  Conservationists say the plan should restrict motor vehicle access, 
  reduce logging roads and bridges, preserve the native fishery, and 
  designate areas for non-motorized winter recreation. 

  #9 Pearl River in Louisiana and Mississippi 
  A development scheme masquerading as flood protection threatens the 
  Pearl River and shows that the painful lessons of Hurricane Katrina 
  still have not been learned, American Rivers says. 
  At risk are a thriving recreational and fishing industry and the source 
  of natural flood protection to riverine communities. 
  The danger has been compounded by failed leadership at the Corps of 
  Engineers, which has refused to look beyond the dangerous scheme and 
  develop a comprehensive approach to flooding and environmental problems 
  along the Pearl. 
  Developers and local politicians are pushing plans to dam and dredge the 
  Pearl to create lakes and islands for commercial development. Also under 
  consideration are large earthen levees, similar to those that failed in 
  New Orleans. All told, almost 140 square miles of wetlands and 
  bottomland hardwood forests would be dredged or drowned. 

  #10 Niobrara River in Nebraska 
  One of Nebraska's biggest tourist attractions, and one of the state's 
  most beautiful rivers, is slowly losing water and in danger of losing 
  more. 
  A Wild and Scenic River that attracts tens of thousands of paddlers and 
  outdoor enthusiasts to the nation's heartland, the Niobrara could soon 
  be stressed by increased irrigation. 
  In addition to supporting a booming tourist economy, the Niobrara 
  supports irrigation of more than 600,000 acres. Additional irrigation 
  applications are currently pending with Nebraska's Department of Natural 
  Resources. These additional irrigation applications threaten to upset 
  that balance, damaging the Niobrara today and they will make surrounding 
  communities even less resilient to the potential impacts of global 
  warming.

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