The ten rivers named as America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2011 highlight an issue of urgent concern to all Americans: clean water.
Clean water is vital to the health of our families and communities. Sixty five percent of our drinking water comes from rivers and streams, but many of our rivers are too polluted to use.
Working with local partners and concerned citizens, American Rivers fights to protect, preserve, and restore our rivers and clean water, and help save this year’s endangered rivers -- and rivers nationwide for generations to come.
America's Most Endangered Rivers® of 2011
Special Mention: Mississippi River
Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Wisconsin
Threat: Flooding, destruction of wetlands
At stake: Local economies, clean drinking water
1. Susquehanna River
New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland
Threat: Natural gas extraction
At stake: Clean drinking water
2. Bristol Bay Rivers
Alaska
Threat: Massive mine
At stake: Livelihood of native tribes, salmon runs
3. Roanoke River
Virginia, North Carolina
Threat: Uranium mining
At stake: Clean water and public health
4. Chicago River
Illinois
Threat: Sewage pollution
At stake: Clean water and public health
5. Yuba River
California
Threat: Hydropower dams
At stake: Salmon and steelhead runs
6. Green River
Washington
Threat: Mining
At stake: Clean water and wildlife
7. Hoback River
Wyoming
Threat: Natural gas extraction
At stake: Clean water and wildlife habitat
8. Black Warrior River
Alabama
Threat: Strip mining for coal
At stake: Clean drinking water and public health
9. St. Croix River
Minnesota, Wisconsin
Threat: Costly highway bridge
At stake: Protection for Wild and Scenic rivers nationwide
10. Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Missouri
Threat: Overuse and poor planning
At stake: Clean water and recreation opportunities
