14 DAY TRIAL // Yesterday, non-profit conservation organization American Rivers released a new report that pins down the most endangered rivers in America. The report in question also documents the threats that these rivers are currently facing, and urges high officials to implement measures intended to protect them.
On its website, American Rivers details that, according to its investigations into the matter at hand, California's San Joaquin River is, for the time being at least, the most endangered river in the United States.
The non-profit conservation organization goes on to explain that the San Joaquin River ended up sporting this label due to outdated and consequently poor water management, and excessive diversions. The current drought has also taken its toll on this watercourse, the group adds.
According to American Rivers, some 4 million people presently live in the San Joaquin watershed. Besides, both the river and its tributaries serve to irrigate about 2 million acres of arid land. In doing so, they help support highly profitable and productive agricultural practices.
The San Joaquin River and its tributaries also serve to generate over 3,000 megawatts of hydropower, and ensure that some 4.5 million people have access to drinking river. What's more, they serve as a home to several species that are in danger of going extinct.
The trouble is that, as a result of its being heavily exploited, it often happens that California's San Joaquin River runs dry in certain stretches. When and where this occurs, both wildlife and local farmers risk being negatively affected, more so if severe droughts also happen to also hit the region.
“Over one hundred miles of the mainstem river have been dry for over fifty years, and water diversions along the tributaries take more than 70 percent of the natural flow. The river’s salmon and steelhead populations are on the brink of extinction,” American Rivers writes on its website.
“Excessive diversions, groundwater overdraft, and unsustainable water management have also made communities vulnerable to increasingly frequent and severe droughts. The present drought places additional stress on the river and its communities,” the non-profit organization goes on to explain.
American Rivers recommends that, in order to solve these problems and save the San Joaquin River, high officials, and especially the California State Water Resources Control Board, move to increase flows in this watercourse. It is expected that this should help protect water quality, fish, recreation, community access, and local agriculture.
“By prioritizing healthy rivers and sustainable water management, we can enjoy reliable clean water supplies, healthy fish and wildlife, recreation, and quality of life for generations to come,” says Bob Irvin, the current president of American Rivers.
The non-profit organization has even put together a list pinning down America's 10 most endangered rivers in 2014 and detailing the threats that these watercourses are now facing. The list in question is available below.
1. The San Joaquin River in California Threat: Outdated water management and excessive diversions At Risk: River health and resilient communities
2. The Upper Colorado River System in Colorado Threat: New trans-mountain water diversions At Risk: River health and recreation
3. The Middle Mississippi River in Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky Threat: Outdated flood management At Risk: Wildlife habitat and public safety
4. The Gila River in New Mexico Threat: New water diversions At Risk: River health, fish & wildlife, recreation and tourism
5. The San Francisco Creek in California Threat: Dam At Risk: Fish and wildlife habitat and public safety
6. The South Fork Edisto River in South Carolina Threat: Excessive water withdrawals At Risk: Fish and wildlife habitat, recreation and water quality
7. The White River in Colorado Threat: Oil and gas drilling At Risk: Drinking water supplies and fish and wildlife habitat
8. The White River in Washington Threat: Outdated dam and fish passage facilities At Risk: Salmon, steelhead and bull trout populations
9. The Haw River in North Carolina Threat: Polluted runoff At Risk: Clean water
10. The Clearwater/Lochsa Rivers in Idaho Threat: Industrialization of a Wild and Scenic River corridor At Risk: Scenery, solitude, world-class recreational values