Environment

Half Of Our Rivers Are Too Polluted To Drink From — These 10 Are The Most In Danger

A new report reveals that half of U.S. rivers, including the Mississippi, Tijuana and Lower Rio Grande, are dangerously polluted, putting drinking water, wildlife and entire communities at risk.

The river that brings your drinking water might also be delivering pollution — and it's not alone. Contamination, drought, extreme weather and crumbling infrastructure are pushing many of our nation's most vital waterways—and the communities that rely on them—to a dangerous tipping point.

According to a new report from AmericanRivers.org, half of all U.S. rivers now contain unsafe levels of pollution, and freshwater species are vanishing faster than those on land or in the ocean. That stat should startle you, as rivers are far more than scenic backdrops; They're lifelines. They provide drinking water for millions of Americans, nourish the crops that feed us, power local businesses and support generations-old traditions like fishing and hunting.

This year’s Most Endangered Rivers list reveals many of our most iconic rivers are under siege from a variety of threats, each one demanding urgent attention. Here's the good news: Not only does the list highlight the places where the danger is greatest, it also focuses on locations where action is still possible.

Mississippi River
Tijuana River
Rivers of Southern Appalachia
Passaic River
Lower Rio Grande
Rappahannock River
Clearwater River Basin
Susitna River
Calcasieu River
Gauley River

Topping this year’s list is the Mississippi River, where uncertain floodplain protections could jeopardize both river health and the safety of communities along its banks. That threat echoes in Southern Appalachia, where recent hurricanes revealed dangerously outdated dams and overwhelming federal disaster response systems. Both regions are grappling with the growing costs of climate-driven floods and the urgent need for infrastructure that can withstand them.

Pollution is another widespread villain. The Tijuana River and Passaic River—one on the southern border, the other in the industrial northeast—are drowning in decades of unchecked sewage, chemicals, and industrial waste, making them hazardous for both wildlife and nearby residents. The same issue persists in West Virginia’s Gauley River and Louisiana’s Calcasieu River —the former from strip mining in the headwaters, the latter from heavy metals leaching into the water.

Water scarcity and mismanagement threaten rivers across the West and South. The Lower Rio Grande, already parched by a mega-drought, is suffering from outdated water policies that haven’t kept up with a changing climate. In Virginia, the Rappahannock River faces similar strain, with falling groundwater levels and exploding demand from new developments and industries. The Clearwater River Basin in Idaho, meanwhile, may lose protection for 700 miles of river, just as growth and pressure on water resources intensify. Even in remote Alaska, the Susitna River is under siege, with proposed road construction and mining putting an untouched ecosystem at risk.

Experts from AmericanRivers.org say each of these listings is more than just a warning—it’s a rallying cry. With smart planning, updated infrastructure, and stronger environmental protections, these rivers can still recover, but the time to act is now.

Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities in countless, often unexpected ways.