Rivers are crucial for our communities. In the U.S., they provide nearly 70% of drinking water and are home to over 80% of wildlife species. Unfortunately, many rivers are under threat from climate change, pollution, and habitat loss. Understanding how to protect these vital waterways is more important than ever. The Resilient and Healthy Rivers briefing series, organized by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), gathered insights from experts across key river basins in the U.S. like the Colorado, Mississippi, and Columbia rivers.
Each river plays a unique role. For example, the Colorado River supplies drinking water to about 40 million people—roughly one in ten Americans. The Mississippi River affects 31 states and transports goods used by millions globally. The Columbia River is vital for salmon production, while the Tennessee River is home to many unique fish species. The Ohio River Basin has roughly 69 million acres of natural ecosystems. Given their importance, sustainable management of these rivers is critical.
Experts highlighted three main takeaways about river health:
- River ecosystems are interconnected; supporting one part helps the whole system.
- Healthy rivers are vital for agriculture.
- Federal policies and funding play a critical role in river management.
Healthy rivers depend on their ecosystems. Bo Baxter from Conservation Fisheries emphasized that even small species, like crayfish, perform crucial functions. Losing them can have cascading effects on both ecosystems and humans. Organizations across the U.S. are focused on conserving and restoring these delicate balances. For instance, Conservation Fisheries has released over 300,000 endangered fish to help restore river populations.
In the Columbia River area, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership has restored thousands of acres of habitat while exploring innovative funding methods. They are considering how these restored areas can help capture carbon, aligning ecosystem health with climate initiatives.
Meanwhile, agricultural practices heavily rely on river health. For instance, the Mississippi River’s watershed faces nutrient pollution from farming, leading to algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico. These blooms deplete oxygen, harming marine life. Initiatives like the EPA’s Hypoxia Task Force aim to minimize runoff from agriculture to protect the river’s health.
The Colorado River is also facing challenges. Here, about 52% of its water is used for agriculture. However, droughts have forced some farms to reduce their water usage dramatically. Farmers need to adapt, looking at less water-intensive crops and better irrigation practices to manage dwindling resources effectively. Caitlin Ochs, a National Geographic Explorer, noted the importance of these adaptations for farmers’ survival.
The role of the federal government is essential in these discussions. Laws like the Clean Water Act and programs from the EPA and FEMA provide a foundation for river preservation. Yet, many vital funding streams are drying up. Without these resources, efforts to manage and restore river health can stall.
For example, there’s been little federal investment in the Ohio River Basin. According to Rep. Morgan McGarvey, support for other regions has shown that cleaner rivers can yield economic benefits, highlighting that the Ohio River deserves similar attention.
It’s clear from the EESI series that restoring rivers isn’t straightforward. It requires teamwork at local, state, and federal levels, with a focus on community input and scientific approaches. As we face increasing climate challenges, our rivers’ health hangs in the balance. Protecting them is not just about conservation; it’s about securing water, food, and ecological futures for generations to come.
