American Rivers
Description
American Rivers is a national conservation nonprofit working for clean and healthy rivers across the United States.
Founded in 1973, it is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with regional offices covering California, the Central states, the Great Lakes, the Mid-Atlantic, the Northeast, the Northern Rockies, the Northwest and the Southeast. It safeguards rivers and streams that supply drinking water, wildlife habitat and community resilience. It works both nationally and locally, partnering with communities, tribes and decision-makers.
The organization advocates for river protection and restoration, including dam removal, culvert replacement and floodplain restoration. It has taken part in more than 200 dam removals and keeps a public database of dam removals in the United States since 1912. Each year since 1984 it has published a report on America’s Most Endangered Rivers, naming ten rivers facing major decisions.
It also works on clean water in cities, helping reduce stormwater pollution and restore urban rivers and creeks so they are safe to swim and play in.
Latest news
For more than 50 years, the Endangered Species Act has protected species from going extinct and disappearing from our planet forever. Animals and plants alike have benefited from these protections, and many are thriving today. Disappointingly, in the last month, the administration changed the...
25 Sep 2026
What’s next for the Colorado River?
For more than the last century, the flows of the Colorado River have been managed and dictated by the demands of a rapidly growing and changing West. There are founding legal documents, and then agreements stacked on those, often known as the “Law of the River.” These agreements are between...
9 Sep 2026
The Missouri River: A Long History, A Hopeful Future
For more than 50 years, the Endangered Species Act has protected species from going extinct and disappearing from our planet forever. Animals and plants alike have benefited from these protections, and many are thriving today. Disappointingly, in the last month, the administration changed the...
27 Aug 2026
The Endangered Species Act No Longer Includes Protection of Habitat
For more than 50 years, the Endangered Species Act has protected species from going extinct and disappearing from our planet forever. Animals and plants alike have benefited from these protections, and many are thriving today. Disappointingly, in the last month, the administration changed the...
20 Aug 2026
A River Finds Its Way Home: Celebrating 15 Years of Work at Great Valley Grasslands State Park
The Grasslands Floodplain Restoration Project, completed in February 2026, is one of the most significant floodplain restoration efforts in California’s San Joaquin Valley.
11 Aug 2026
Southeast Rivers and Communities Cope with Drought…Again
Here in the Southeast, drought is no stranger, and this summer it is impacting communities and rivers in the region just as in many other parts of the country. In North Carolina, much of the state has been in severe or extreme drought conditions for months, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor...
31 Jul 2026
Similar organizations
The International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN, is a membership union working on nature conservation and sustainable development.
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Clean Ocean Foundation is an Australian environmental organisation working to stop ocean pollution and restore the health of the oceans.