The U.S. has more than 3.5 million miles of rivers and streams. Rivers are intimately tied to our freshwater needs providing drinking water, irrigating crops, producing hydroelectric power along with supporting fish and other aquatic life, recreation, and commercial transport. For these reasons, rivers are often the epicenter of communities, but extensive overuse has endangered many of them. A recent report released by the American Rivers organization highlights the ten most endangered rivers in the U.S. The list is generated through nominations from river groups and other concerned citizens, and this year’s top three rivers are the Pearl River, the Ohio River, and the Colorado River.

Pearl River is the third most endangered river.  It is the primary source of drinking water for Jackson, Mississippi.  Currently, the river is under threat from the One Lake project, deemed a flood control project but is also a real estate development project (waterfront property).  The proposed dredging and dam construction will have significant impacts on both wildlife and water quality and has been rejected in the past by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  The project has been reintroduced and is now under review, although it has already secured Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds.  In addition to water quality and environmental ramifications, threats include potential damage to bridges, disruption of hazardous toxic waste sites, possible increased flooding in Jackson, impacts to a sewage treatment plant (which could be in violation of the current EPA consent decree), and water supply disruptions for the city.

The Ohio River is the second most endangered river, flowing through or bordering 6 states, providing water to more than five million people. It plays a role in the region’s commerce, power generation, and recreation, but discharges, many toxic, from industrial, municipal, and agricultural sources pose ongoing challenges to efforts to improve the river’s health. In February, toxic chemicals were released into streams that flow to the river when a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio highlighting the vulnerability of the waterway and the conceivable implications for drinking water and public health for the region.

The Colorado River, specifically the segment at the Grand Canyon, is the top endangered river. Climate change, increasing temperatures, and drought along with outdated river management and overallocation of the river’s resources have jeopardized the river. The report emphasizes the importance of future water management decisions that balance hydropower and drinking water needs while protecting the ecological, cultural, and economic values of the Grand Canyon.

All living beings need fresh water to sustain life and without significant interventions, rivers will become increasingly endangered. Given their value, protecting them should be paramount.