Denver, CO — Today, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the federal agency that oversees Colorado River operations, declared a “Tier 1” water shortage at Lake Mead on the Colorado River, underscoring the severity of the deepening drought and climate crisis across the West. This is the first time in the river’s history that a Tier 1 […]
American Rivers
Posted inCalifornia
California’s McCloud River Named One of America’s Most Endangered Rivers
Washington, D.C. April 13, 2021 – American Rivers today named Northern California’s McCloud River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2021 because of a Trump-era proposal to raise Shasta Dam. This proposal poses a grave threat to the river’s health and to the culture, religion and identity of the Winnemem Wintu Tribe. American Rivers and its partners […]
Posted inEnviro
82 dams removed to restore rivers, improve public safety in 2018
Washington February 21, 2019 – Eighty-two outdated dams were removed in 2018, restoring rivers, improving public safety and recreation opportunities, and revitalizing fish and wildlife in communities nationwide, American Rivers announced today. Communities in 18 states, working in partnership with non-profit organizations and state and federal agencies, removed the dams last year to restore more […]
Posted inEnviro, US
Record Year for Removing Dams to Restore Rivers in 2017
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2018 – A record number of outdated dams were removed in 2017, bringing public safety, new recreation opportunities and improved fish and wildlife habitat to communities nationwide, American Rivers announced today. Eighty-six dams were torn down in 2017, beating the previous high number of 78 dams in 2014. Communities in 21 states, […]
Posted inOp-Ed
American Rivers Condemns Largest Rollback of Public Land Protections in U.S. History
Washington December 4, 2017 – American Rivers President Bob Irvin released the following statement today in response to President Trump’s announcement that he will roll back protections for major portions of Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. “Until today, we could count on our presidents, from Theodore Roosevelt to Barack Obama, […]
Posted inUS
Rollback of Clean Water Rule Puts Americans’ Drinking Water at Risk
Washington June 28, 2017 – The Environmental Protection Agency put the drinking water supplies of 1 in 3 Americans at risk when it took official action to roll back the Clean Water Rule. “The move by the Trump Administration to roll back the Clean Water Rule is another major blow to clean drinking water and […]
Posted inOp-Ed
Trump’s Infrastructure Plan Fails to Deliver: Statement from American Rivers
Washington June 7, 2017 – President Trump spoke on the bank of the Ohio River today about the nation’s infrastructure, but failed to provide a coherent plan for addressing the pressing need to repair and improve the country’s outdated water systems. “Today, President Trump promised more tax breaks and rollbacks of environmental safeguards. That isn’t […]
Posted inOp-Ed
Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement: Statement from American Rivers
Washington June 1, 2017 – President Trump announced today that he will withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, a short-sighted decision that will harm our national security and the health and safety of American families for generations to come. Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, issued the following statement: “In withdrawing from […]
Posted inUS
Rivers at risk as Trump orders sweeping review of National Monuments
Washington April 26, 2017 – President Trump signed an executive order today that could undermine protection of millions of acres of public lands and waters central to our nation’s natural and cultural heritage. The order directs the Department of the Interior to review all national monument designations of 100,000 acres or more created since 1996 […]
Posted inLife
“The Wild President” Film Highlights Jimmy Carter’s River Conservation Legacy
WASHINGTON, DC, April 25, 2017 – Former President Jimmy Carter’s connection to rivers and his leadership in river protection is celebrated in the new film “The Wild President,” released online today by American Rivers and NRS. “The Wild President” tells the story of Carter’s first descent down the Chattooga River’s Bull Sluice Rapid in 1974. […]
Posted inCalifornia
Op-Ed: Sinjin Eberle: Beware the Wet Year
April 17, 2017 – The stories are everywhere – record precipitation and snowpack in California, atmospheric rivers crashing across the Pacific Northwest, and lingering above-average snowpack across Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. And while short-term relief is welcome, we shouldn’t break out the party hats quite yet. As Mother Nature often shows us, we never really […]
Posted inUS
American Rivers Announces America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2017
Washington, DC April 11, 2017 – American Rivers today released its annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, identifying ten rivers facing urgent threats and critical decisions this year. The list highlights the dangers Trump Administration budget cuts pose to rivers and communities nationwide. Number one on this year’s list is the Lower Colorado River, […]
Posted inRegional
Bear River Among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2017
Washington, D.C. April 11, 2017 – American Rivers today named California’s Bear River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, shining a national spotlight on a proposed dam that would irreparably harm the river’s fish and wildlife, recreation and Native American heritage. “The America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a call to action to save rivers that […]
Posted inUS
President’s Budget Puts Clean Water and Rivers at Risk Nationwide
Washington March 16, 2017 – President Trump’s proposed budget cuts to clean drinking water and river restoration efforts would cause serious harm to the nation’s health, economy, and quality of life, American Rivers said today. The President’s budget proposal includes deep cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency, proposing to cut the agency by almost one […]