America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2018

1. Big Sunflower River [Mississippi]
The Yazoo Pumps project would cost $300 million for construction and damage up to 200,000 acres of significant wetland.
2. Rivers of Bristol Bay [Alaska]
Open-pit mining threatens the clean water for local communities and could destroy the world's largest run of wild sockeye salmon.
3. Boundary Waters [Minnesota]
Weakening water-quality standards could jeopardize the water of the most visited area in the National Wilderness Preservation System.
4. Lower Rio Grande River [Texas]
The proposed border wall with Mexico would cut-off access for many to this iconic American river.
5. South Fork of the Salmon River [Idaho]
Gold mining could pollute the river and impact the communities that depend on it for jobs and economic livelihood.
Mississippi River Gorge | Photo by Greg Lais
7. Smith River [Montana]
Copper mining would damage water quality and potentially ruin the multi-million dollar trout fishing economy it supports.
8. Coleville River [Alaska]
Oil interests threaten the wilderness, fish and wildlife.
9. Middle Fork of the Vermillion River [Illinois]
Coal ash contaminants are seeping into the river and require clean-up.
10. Kinnickinnic River [Wisconsin]
Hydropower Dams are destroying the habitat and warming the river.

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® highlights ten rivers whose fate will be decided in the coming year, and encourages decision-makers to do the right thing for the rivers and the communities they support.

This year’s list spotlights the battery of threats from the Trump administration and its allies in Congress to clean water and rivers nationwide.

• Take action: Tell Congress to stand up for rivers and clean water

• Get the report: America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2018

• Learn more and download past reports

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