American Rivers Names Boundary Waters #3 on America’s Most Endangered Rivers ® of 2026 List 

Contact: 
Hawk Hammer, National Communications and Media Director, Hhammer@americanrivers.org
Libby London, Save the Boundary Waters, Libby@SavetheBoundaryWaters.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. —American Rivers named the South Kawishiwi River—a vital artery of the iconic Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness— to America’s Most Endangered Rivers® list of 2026, due to proposed sulfide-ore copper mining in its headwaters. A joint resolution now before the U.S. Senate would undo current protections against copper mining.

Flowing through one of the most pristine freshwater systems in North America, the South Kawishiwi River helps sustain the interconnected lakes, streams, and wetlands of the Boundary Waters. This vast landscape includes more than 1,200 miles of waterways and over 1,000 lakes, renowned for exceptionally clean water, abundant wildlife, and world-class recreation.

“Our nation’s freshwater is a resource that is being taken for granted while efforts to pollute them rapidly increase,” said Elizabeth Riggs, Great Lakes regional director for American Rivers. “Spoiling some of the purest, most pristine waters for a foreign mine and foreign corporate interests is a short-sighted move that could cause irreversible harm to the region.”

The Environmental Protection Agency has identified this type of mining as the most toxic industry in the United States. Pollution from the mine—which includes acid mine drainage, heavy metals, and waste runoff—would jeopardize fish and wildlife habitat, degrade water quality, and threaten public health.

“The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness—together with the Superior National Forest—holds 20% of all freshwater in the U.S. National Forest System. It is America’s most visited and now one of its most threatened Wilderness Areas. Proposed sulfide-ore copper mining in its watershed would risk permanently polluting its waters, including the iconic South Kawishiwi River. Beloved by people from every corner of the country, the Boundary Waters inspires overwhelming public support for its protection. No matter what happens in DC, that support won’t waver. People will continue to stand up and say: not this mine, not this place—and we will fight alongside them, as long as it takes,” stated Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director of Save the Boundary Waters.

As the most visited Wilderness Area in the country, the Boundary Waters supports a thriving outdoor recreation economy, drawing more than 155,000 overnight visitors annually and sustaining roughly 17,000 jobs. Economic analyses show that mining in the region could result in thousands of lost jobs, billions in lost income, and significant declines in property values.

In 2023, the U.S. Department of the Interior took action to protect the watershed with a 20-year mineral withdrawal that effectively banned copper mining. However, those protections are now under threat, with efforts in Congress to reverse them using the Congressional Review Act.

Lawmakers must reject all efforts to advance sulfide-ore copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters and oppose attempts to overturn existing protections. Congress should uphold the current mining ban and advance permanent protections to safeguard this irreplaceable ecosystem.

The public is urged to contact their elected officials and demand lasting protections for the Boundary Waters and the South Kawishiwi River.

For more details on this river and the full America’s Most Endangered Rivers® list of 2026, including the selection process, click here. 

###

American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 4.4 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers® AmericanRivers.org

Save the Boundary Waters is the locally based, national campaign led by Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness, based in the Wilderness-edge town of Ely, Minnesota. Save the Boundary Waters leads and mobilizes a national coalition of 400+ conservation, recreation, and sporting organizations and businesses working tirelessly for more than a decade to permanently protect the Boundary Waters Wilderness, Voyageurs National Park, and Canada’s Quetico Park from copper mining. Their work combines conservation science, advocacy, litigation, and strong partnerships and an experienced team of staff, advisors, and experts working to protect the Boundary Waters forever, for everyone. www.SavetheBoundaryWaters.org