In Pictures: America’s Top 10 Most Endangered Rivers

American Rivers has released its 2008 rankings of the nation's most fated rivers.

And it seems that the mismanagement of droughts and floods from climate changes is wreaking the most havoc.

Read the full report (pdf) -- and weep.

In the meantime, here's a snapshot of the 10 rivers whose fate will be decided this year:

 

1. Catawba River (North Carolina, South Carolina) (Pictured Above)

While the entire Southeastern United States suffers the effects of drought, policy makers are battling to take more water from the Catawba-Wateree River.

2. Rogue River (Oregon)

One of our country’s original Wild and Scenic rivers could soon have its wild character destroyed if a plan to log key Rogue River tributaries moves forward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Poudre River (Colorado)

Colorado’s only Wild and Scenic River could soon lose much of its remaining water thanks to a scheme proposed by some decision makers to divert a staggering 36 million gallons of water a day away from the river before it reaches Fort Collins, enough to fill an Olympic sized swimming pool every 8 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. St. Lawrence River (New York/Canada)

Tens of millions of people in two countries depend everyday on the St. Lawrence River. The health and vitality of this iconic North American waterway is threatened by outdated management plans of the Moses-Saunders Dam that date back to the Eisenhower Administration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Minnesota River (Minnesota)

The first major tributary to the Mighty Mississippi could soon be robbed of much of its water, thanks to a misguided plan that would build an unnecessary coal power plant on the shores of Big Stone Lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. St. John's River (Florida)

Florida’s longest river could soon be robbed of much of its water in a misguided attempt to quench the unending thirst of out-of-control development in the Sunshine State.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Gila River (New Mexico/Arizona)

New Mexico’s last free flowing river could soon see a significant portion of its water stolen thanks to a misguided and expensive water diversion proposal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Allagash Wilderness Waterway (Maine)

The Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Maine’s only nationally designated Wild and Scenic River and one of the most important wild rivers in the entire country, is being jeopardized by development pressures and a lack of political leadership.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Pearl River (Louisiana/Mississippi)

A massive development scheme masquerading as flood protection, threatens the Pearl Rivers, and shows that the painful lessons of Hurricane Katrina still haven’t been learned. At risk are a thriving recreational and fishing industry, and the source of natural flood protection to countless communities along its banks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Niobrara River (Nebraska)

The Niobrara River, a Wild and Scenic River that attracts tens of thousands of paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts to the nation’s heartland, could soon be dewatered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Credits: American Rivers

Hat Tip: Tree Hugger

 

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