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America’s Most Endangered Rivers™: 2010 Edition sponsor
America's Most Endangered Rivers™ Report: 2010 Edition
#8 Teton River, Idaho
Threat: New Dam
The Teton River is a western treasure, home to abundant wildlife and one of the last strongholds for rare Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The river supports a tremendous recreational fishery and whitewater boating. However, some eastern Idaho water users want to rebuild the Teton Dam -- a dam that catastrophically failed 35 years ago -- and the state of Idaho and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are now studying the feasibility of rebuilding the dam or pursuing non-structural water supply alternatives that would keep the Teton River in its free-flowing state. Instead of rebuilding an expensive and unnecessary dam, the state and the Bureau of Reclamation should promote more cost-effective, reliable water supply solutions that focus on conservation and smarter water management.
