The Most Endangered Rivers in the U.S. (2022): Challenges, Causes, and Hopes for Recovery
Examining the top 10 most endangered U.S. rivers in 2022, their threats, ecological value, and what’s needed to protect them.
The 2022 List: America’s Most Endangered Rivers
Every year, environmental organizations, most notably American Rivers, release a list of the most endangered rivers in the United States. The report is based on each river’s significance to people and wildlife, the severity of the threats it faces, and opportunities for the public to help protect the waterway within the coming year. In 2022, the spotlight focused on the increasingly perilous state of major U.S. rivers, underscoring the impact of climate change, pollution, unsustainable water management, and controversial development projects .
Why Endangered Rivers Matter
Rivers are life-support systems for people, wildlife, and local economies. They provide drinking water, nurture habitat for countless species, irrigate farmland, enable recreation, and support spiritual, cultural, and historical traditions. When rivers are endangered, entire ecosystems and communities are put at risk.
- Rivers supply drinking water for more than two-thirds of Americans.
- They sustain critical fisheries and wildlife habitat.
- Rivers drive recreational tourism and local economies.
- They support Indigenous and frontline communities with deep historical and cultural connections to these waterways.
How the List Is Compiled
The Most Endangered Rivers report is assembled based on three core criteria:
- Importance: The river’s value to people and wildlife.
- Magnitude of Threat: The severity and urgency of the threats facing the river.
- Decision Point: Opportunities for public action and decision-making in the next 12 months that could positively influence the river’s future .
Top 10 Most Endangered Rivers of 2022
Below are the rivers that topped the 2022 list, the states they traverse, and the principal threats they face, along with key ecological and social implications.
| # | River | States | Main Threat(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado River | CO, UT, AZ, NV, CA, WY, NM (plus Mexico) | Climate change, outdated water management |
| 2 | Snake River | ID, WA, OR | Federal dams, salmon decline |
| 3 | Mobile River | AL | Coal ash contamination |
| 4 | Maine’s Atlantic Salmon Rivers | ME | Dams, salmon habitat loss |
| 5 | Coosa River | TN, GA, AL | Agricultural pollution |
| 6 | Mississippi River | MN, WI, IL, IA, MO, KY, TN, AR, MS, LA | Pollution, habitat loss, flooding |
| 7 | Lower Kern River | CA | Excessive water withdrawals |
| 8 | San Pedro River | AZ | Excessive water pumping, regulatory rollbacks |
| 9 | Los Angeles River | CA | Urban development, pollution |
| 10 | Tar Creek | OK | Toxic pollution |
1. Colorado River: A Lifeline at Risk
The Colorado River is one of the most vital waterways in the West, supplying drinking water to over 40 million people, irrigating 5.5 million acres of farmland, and supporting 22 federally recognized tribes. Yet, the river faces a dire combination of increasing drought driven by climate change and heavily outdated water management systems .
- Long-term over-allocation and legal agreements made during wetter years have set the stage for chronic shortages.
- Reservoirs like Lake Powell and Lake Mead have reached historically low levels.
- Ecological impacts include the collapse of native fish populations and the loss of wetlands and riparian habitats.
Urgent Actions: Modernize water agreements, invest in conservation, and restore natural flows.
2. Snake River: Battling Dams to Save Salmon
The Snake River travels through Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, forming the backbone of the Northwest’s once-prolific salmon runs. Four large federal dams on the lower Snake have severely disrupted the river’s flow and migration of salmon, a keystone species for regional ecosystems and tribal cultures .
- Salmon runs are facing extinction, threatening more than 130 connected species.
- Tribal rights and rural economies that depend on salmon are in jeopardy.
- Restoration advocates are calling for dam removal as an essential step for salmon recovery.
What’s Needed: Commitment to fish passage solutions, upholding tribal treaties, and ecosystem restoration.
3. Mobile River: Coal Ash Contamination Crisis
Flowing through Alabama, the Mobile River supports rich biodiversity and provides drinking water to the region. Its greatest threat is toxic contamination from coal ash ponds situated along its banks.
- Coal ash—a byproduct of burning coal—contains heavy metals like arsenic and mercury, threatening water quality and public health.
- Leaks and spills have already contaminated groundwater and pose a risk of catastrophic failure, especially during storms.
Immediate Actions: Relocate coal ash ponds away from waterways and improve regulation.
4. Maine’s Atlantic Salmon Rivers: Dams Endanger a Species
Maine’s rivers, notably the Kennebec and Penobscot, are the last U.S. strongholds for wild Atlantic salmon. The construction of multiple dams blocks migration routes, fragments habitats, and continues to endanger the species.
- Atlantic salmon in Maine are now listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
- Dams hinder not only salmon but also many other aquatic species.
Solution Pathway: Increase dam removals, support fish passage projects, and restore river connectivity.
5. Coosa River: Struggling With Agricultural Pollution
Once famed for its incredible biodiversity, the Coosa River now faces toxic runoff from industrial agriculture. Massive increases in poultry and livestock operations have resulted in high levels of nutrient and bacterial pollution .
- Algal blooms, fish kills, and reduced water quality threaten both wildlife and people.
- Ecosystem decline impacts some of the Southeast’s most unique fish, reptile, and mussel species.
Paths Forward: Stronger regulations, increased monitoring, and sustainable farming practices.
6. Mississippi River: Pollution and Flooding Threaten “America’s River”
The Mississippi River runs the length of the U.S. heartland, supplying drinking water to 20 million people and supporting vast agriculture and industry. However, intense pollution, habitat loss, and worsening floods have pushed the river to a tipping point .
- Nutrient runoff causes “dead zones” in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Communities along the river are at risk from increasingly severe and frequent flooding events.
- Habitat degradation imperils native species and the river’s ecological integrity.
Needed Reforms: Invest in green infrastructure, wetland restoration, and stricter pollution controls.
7. Lower Kern River: Drained Dry
The Lower Kern River in California has been extensively diverted for agricultural and urban use, leaving sections of its historic riverbed completely dry.
- Loss of flow devastates wildlife and recreational opportunities.
- Impacts Indigenous communities and cultural heritage tied to the river.
Critical Solutions: Balance water withdrawals, restore natural flows, and enforce sustainable groundwater management.
8. San Pedro River: Vanishing Riparian Desert Oasis
Arizona’s San Pedro River is one of the last free-flowing rivers in the Southwest desert. It faces existential threats from excessive groundwater pumping and recent rollbacks of Clean Water Act protections .
- Water table declines have led to dry riverbeds and loss of critical riparian habitat.
- Over 400 species of birds rely on the San Pedro during migration.
Recommended Action: Safeguard water rights for the river, reverse regulatory rollbacks, and promote water conservation.
9. Los Angeles River: Pollution and Development Pressures
The Los Angeles River has been heavily channelized to manage flood risk, but decades of urban development and pollution have choked off ecosystem function.
- Water quality remains a chronic issue due to urban runoff and illegal dumping.
- Ongoing restoration and park projects present hope for revitalizing stretches of the river for nature and people.
Path Ahead: Prioritize green infrastructure and community-led river restoration projects.
10. Tar Creek: A Toxic Legacy
Tar Creek in Oklahoma is emblematic of legacy pollution in the United States. Decades after mines closed, lead, zinc, and other contaminants continue to poison the water, land, and communities.
- The area is part of a federal Superfund site, with communities long-exposed to unsafe drinking water and hazardous waste.
- Impacts are most severe for children and community health.
Key Demands: Accelerate cleanup, ensure community health protections, and develop long-term restoration plans.
What You Can Do: Advocacy and Engagement
Saving endangered rivers demands action at both individual and policy levels. Environmental advocates encourage:
- Contacting elected representatives to support river protection laws.
- Demanding stronger pollution controls and water conservation measures.
- Backing dam removal or modification initiatives where appropriate.
- Participating in local clean-up events and river stewardship programs.
- Supporting Indigenous and frontline community leadership in river restoration projects.
Success Stories: Hope for America’s Rivers
Not all is bleak: inclusion on the endangered list has, in many cases, brought about transformative change. For example, the Neuse River in North Carolina— once listed due to industrial pollution—was later celebrated as a “River of the Year” after local action led to significant water quality improvements .
- Community engagement increases visibility and support for restoration.
- Some previously listed rivers (such as the Klamath and Neuse) have seen major gains in water quality and habitat after intensive advocacy.
Why the List Matters
The annual endangered rivers list spotlights the vulnerabilities—and the unmet potential—of America’s cherished waterways. By focusing attention, galvanizing support, and pressing decision-makers, the endangered rivers campaign aims to chart a course toward a more resilient future for people, wildlife, and water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How is a river chosen for the Most Endangered list?
A: A river is selected based on its importance, the severity of threat it faces, and imminent decisions or actions expected within the next year that could change the river’s fate.
Q: Can rivers improve after being listed?
A: Yes. Public attention and advocacy often lead to policy changes, cleanup efforts, and restoration projects that can significantly improve conditions for rivers previously named to the list.
Q: What are the most common threats to U.S. rivers?
A: The primary threats include climate change, pollution (especially agricultural and industrial), outdated or excessive water management practices, dam construction, habitat loss, and regulatory rollbacks.
Q: How can I help protect endangered rivers?
A: Individuals can help by advocating for stronger environmental protections, supporting conservation groups, reducing personal water usage and pollution, and participating in local waterways stewardship activities.
Q: Why are river health and protection so important?
A: Healthy rivers are essential for clean drinking water, biodiversity, climate resilience, food supply, community well-being, and recreational opportunities—foundational to a thriving society and sustainable future.
References
- https://envirocert.org/government_affairs/american-rivers-releases-report-americas-most-endangered-rivers-2022/
- https://www.idahorivers.org/news/american-rivers-names-the-snake-river-as-2-on-the-most-endangered-river-list-of-2022
- https://coosariver.org/river/mer/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwXcxIf5PFw
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/americas-most-endangered-rivers-2025-us-list/
- https://www.americanrivers.org/2025/04/40th-anniversary-of-americas-most-engangered-rivers/
- https://www.americanrivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/MER2022_Report_Final_04062022.pdf
- https://mostendangeredrivers.org
- https://mostendangeredrivers.org/river/colorado-river/
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