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About America’s Most Endangered Rivers® Campaign

Snake River | Photo by Alison Meyer Photography
Snake River | Photo by Alison Meyer Photography

Rivers make life possible. They provide our drinking water, nourish ecosystems, sustain local economies, and connect communities across the country. But America’s rivers are losing their life-giving power. This is not just an environmental tragedy, but a profound threat to our health, communities, and safety.

For this reason, every year, American Rivers announces America’s Most Endangered Rivers® — the campaign that shines a national spotlight on rivers at risk, galvanizes the public to take action, and helps secure lasting victories for clean water and healthy rivers.

Since 1984, local leaders have teamed up with American Rivers to use the report to save their local rivers, consistently scoring decisions that benefit rivers and communities. If your river facing an urgent threat, with a decision in the coming year that will impact its fate, please consider nominating your river for the 2027 report.

DATES AND DEADLINES

  • All nominations must be received by Thursday, October 1, 2026. 
  • Nominators will be informed of the selection decision by February 2027.
  • American Rivers will release the report on Tuesday, April 13, 2027, in a comprehensive communications and public engagement campaign coordinated with the nominating partners.  

SELECTION CRITERIA 

We will select rivers based on the following criteria:

  1. The significance of the river to people, wildlife, and nature.
  2. The magnitude of the threat to the river and its communities.
  3. The presence of an upcoming (June 2027 to February 2028) local, state, or federal policy decision that will impact the river’s fate. (This is the most important selection criterion. If there is no near-term decision point, please do not nominate the river.) 
Fill out the Nomination Form
Lehigh River | Tom Storm

America's Most Endangered Rivers® of 2026

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2026 spotlights how data center development, mining, and pollution are putting river health and public well-being at risk.

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America’s Most Endangered Rivers® Frequently Asked Questions

What is America’s Most Endangered Rivers®?

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Previous Years’ Reports

Download previous years’ reports in PDF format: