The top 10 most endangered rivers in the U.S. have been revealed.
The annual report, conducted by American Rivers, classed the rivers of New Mexico as the most endangered in the whole country. The environmental nonprofit classed "loss of federal stream and wetland protections" as the main threat against these rivers.
The threat follows a recent decision made by the U.S. Supreme Court that saw many clean water protections stripped for small streams, according to American Rivers, and this has affected New Mexico the most.
All rivers in the state, including the Rio Grande, Gila, San Juan, and Pecos, have been hit by this decision.
This is of great concern as the rivers are the lifeblood of the state, the nonprofit reports.
A main concern in this annual report is pollution and threats to clean water. The Tijuana River, ranked 9th on the list for example, is so polluted that its waters are causing illness and beach closures, the report states. Toxic algae outbreaks are also emerging in the Farmington River due a hydropower dam. This is threatening the clean water of close to 400,000 people. This river is ranked 6th on the list.
"All water is connected. We cannot allow pollution anywhere without risk to the rivers we rely on for our drinking water," Tom Kiernan, President and CEO of American Rivers, said in a statement. "Our leaders must hold polluters accountable and strengthen the Clean Water Act to safeguard our health and communities."
Coming in second on the most endangered river list is the Big Sunflower and Yazoo Rivers in Mississippi. The main threat facing this river is what is known as the Yazoo Pumps project, which the nonprofit reports is threatening wetlands.
The project involves the use of backwater pumps to prevent flooding. However, these rivers, in the middle of the Mississippi Flyway, are home to a thriving ecosystem where 450 species live. The pumps are threatening to damage these wetlands and the species that live within, the report states.
An excessive amount of water use is the main threat of the Duck River in Tennessee, which comes in third on the endangered rivers list.
As this river is used for local drinking water, periods of drought which are exacerbated by climate change cause an overconsumption of water. Yet, this water is needed to sustain its own ecosystem, as many important species of fish live there.
The Santa Cruz River in Arizona is listed at fourth on the list due to water scarcity and climate change. This is a threat facing many bodies of water in the southwest region, as it has been plagued with drought for many years.
The other rivers listed in the report are: the Little Pee Dee River in North Carolina and South Carolina, the Trinity River in California, the Kobuk River in Alaska, and the Blackwater River in West Virginia.
American Rivers is calling for more policies to protect these rivers as many communities and ecosystems are at risk if threats continue.
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Update 4/18/24 9:20 a.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information.
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