Life depends on rivers
It’s not just that rivers make our lives better. We can’t survive without them.
The best cities are river cities
Restoring the relationship between urban communities and their waterways is a hedge against climate change and flooding — and a step toward creating more livable cities.
Saving rivers isn’t a choice. It’s survival. Our vision is to keep rivers healthy and free while ensuring people have the water they need. We do it by protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers and conserving clean water for people and nature.
What's New
Our vision
Protect 1 million miles of rivers
We can protect 1 million miles of free-flowing rivers by 2030 and half of all rivers in our country by 2050. In addition to safeguarding some of our healthiest, most scenic rivers, American Rivers will focus our efforts on areas where people live.
Remove 30,000 harmful dams
Removing a dam is the fastest, most efficient way to bring a river back to life. Our on-the-ground work to reconnect and restore free-flowing rivers will emphasize areas that address climate impacts and protect biodiversity.
Ensure clean water for every community
Clean water is essential for health, and rivers provide the water our communities need. We will make sure that the hundreds of millions of dollars available from the federal infrastructure legislation flows where it’s most needed — to improve climate resiliency, safety, and health.
Champion a powerful river movement
Nearly everyone in our country lives within a mile of a river but few know what that river provides. We envision a future in which every river has multitudes of champions speaking up for it. Because only by working together can we adapt and thrive.
![Molalla River, Oregon | Jeff Clark [BLM]](https://www.americanrivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/molalla-river-recreation-area-credit-Jeff-Clark-BLM--1024x456.jpg)
