America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2026 is a Call to Action for Healthy Rivers and a Cleaner Water Supply
We all need clean, safe water for our families — no matter where we live or what we look like. Much of our water comes from rivers, which also provide crucial habitat for fish and wildlife. Our economy, farms, and cities depend on river water for growth. And rivers give us ways to connect with nature and each other.
But America’s rivers are losing their life-giving power – choked by dams, contaminated by pollution, and overwhelmed by increasingly severe floods and droughts. This is not just an environmental tragedy, but a profound threat to our health, communities, and safety. We can still protect our vital lifelines, but we have to do it quickly.
This is why, each year, American Rivers issues America’s Most Endangered Rivers® – a call to action for the rivers we all depend on.
In the unenviable lead position on the America’s Most Endangered Rivers® list this year is the Potomac River. This river, threatened by both data center expansion and pollution, exemplifies how the compounding threats our rivers are facing can collide, creating impacts that can reverberate far downstream.
Each year, in partnership with local advocates and communities, the report draws attention to urgent threats and the solutions needed to protect the rivers that sustain us all. At a time when new and emerging pressures are reshaping how we manage water, acting now has never been more critical.
America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2026: 10 Rivers in Need of Your Help
- Potomac River: The rapid, unchecked buildout of data centers along the Potomac River threatens the drinking water for our nation’s capital and surrounding areas, while a historic sewage spill raises alarms about aging infrastructure.
- San Joaquin: A massive gravel mine proposed along the river would jeopardize drinking water supplies for the Fresno region and reverse major salmon restoration progress.
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: The Twin Metals mine would bring acid-mine drainage to an iconic wilderness—endangering clean water, wildlife, and a major outdoor recreation economy.
- Lumber River: Toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS and other industrial pollution are pushing this Wild and Scenic River to the brink.
- Rogue River: Mining pollution and the potential loss of Roadless Rule safeguards threaten this river’s remarkable salmon runs and incredible recreational value.
- Chilkat River: The ongoing development of a large–scale hard rock mine threatens habitat for fish and wildlife and would irreparably harm Alaskan Native communities.
- Nissequogue River: A failed dam that freed a major section of Long Island’s largest river might be replaced, threatening fish and wildlife recovery.
- Dan River: Fossil fuel pipeline construction threatens drinking water supplies with pollution and increased flood risk for downstream communities.
- Amargosa River: Mining operations threaten drinking water supplies and the unique fish and wildlife that depend on this desert lifeline.
- Suwannee River: Excessive water withdrawals, sewage, and agricultural pollution are testing this river’s limits in the extreme.
America’s Most Endangered Rivers® has a long history of driving real change. For 41 years, this campaign has built momentum behind solutions that protect clean water and healthy rivers. Our nation’s 4.4 million miles of rivers deserve nothing less than our best.
This year’s endangered rivers can become tomorrow’s success stories if we act now. Learn more about the rivers at risk in 2026 and take action today!
Take Action for America's Most Endangered Rivers® of 2026
This year's rivers shine a spotlight on how data center development, mining, and pollution are putting river health and public well-being at risk. Take action for these rivers now!
3 responses to “America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2026 is a Call to Action for Healthy Rivers and a Cleaner Water Supply ”
We consider nominations from individuals and groups across the country and consider rivers using 3 criteria:
-The significance of the river to people, wildlife, and nature.
-A decision in the coming year that will impact the river’s fate.
-The magnitude of the threat to the river and its communities, especially in light of climate change and environmental injustice.
If you think a river near you meets the criteria, we encourage you to nominate the Arkansas River next year!
Great article! Makes me wanna get outside and visit our country’s rivers and donate to help protect them. Nice work!
Why is the Arkansas River not on the Endangered Rivers list?
It parallels: a massive oil refinery and chemical storage, a lithium battery mfg., and a company that burns untreated medical waste. I haven’t kept up the failed sewage lift systems that have failed and the agriculture wastes. As this river travels south, there are two uranium ponds that light up at night and this is next to the river.
Our river flows south and east. Eventually, it hits the Gulf.
So, my question is why this river didn’t make the list?
I sent information 2023 & the only thing I received from your group is a request for $$$.
The time & $$$ we put into saving this river doesn’t account for anything to your group.
Not a fan. Our river in middle America impact many residents including tribal residents and I would like to know why our River has not made this list?