American Rivers, Inc.

Protect 1 million miles of river. We’re committed to restoring and protecting 1 million rivers in the United States, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways.
Remove 30,000 harmful dams.
Ensure clean water for every community. Everyone deserves clean water.
Champion a powerful river movement.

Protect 1 million miles of river.
We’re committed to restoring and protecting 1 million rivers in the United States, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. To do this, we are advocating for federal and state protections for some of our healthiest, most scenic rivers across the country. We are also working with communities experiencing more frequent and damaging flooding to reconnect their rivers to floodplains. These rivers, and the watersheds that feed them, provide recreation, clean water, and natural habitat for the benefit of all of us.
Remove 30,000 harmful dams.
Free-flowing rivers promote healthy habitats for wildlife, reduce flood risk to communities, and support cultural traditions. Up to 85 percent of all dams in our country are unnecessary, harmful, and even dangerous. We must remove thousands of them quickly. Our work to remove dams has been central to American Rivers over the past decades and will be even more important as we work to restore rivers in the decade ahead. Because removing a dam is the single most impactful way to secure a rivers’ future health.
Ensure clean water for every community.
Over the past 50 years, American Rivers and partners have protected drinking water sources for tens of millions of people. Millions more are vulnerable to the health impacts of water pollution. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and Tribal Nations are more likely to be impacted by environmental hazards and are more likely to live near contaminated lands and be affected by unhealthy water. Everyone deserves clean water. At American Rivers, we’re increasing our community engagement so that no communities are left behind.
Champion a powerful river movement.
American Rivers has always been known for our willingness and ability to work with local advocates and partners from both private and public sectors to do what’s best for rivers and the people and wildlife that depend on them. We know that the challenges to rivers are increasing dramatically. We need an even stronger river movement to face those challenges. We will double our efforts to bring more local support to the cause of rivers and to work with others to lead a movement that restores and protects the rivers we treasure.

Protect One Million Miles of River:
By advocating for federal and state protections, we can safeguard some of our healthiest, most scenic rivers.
We will focus on areas where people live and on increasing access to nearby nature for all people, especially communities of color. We seek to work closely with Tribal Nations to prioritize rivers that are culturally and ecologically significant. The growth and diversification of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Coalition will ensure a greater diversity of voices are speaking up for rivers nationwide. We are working with communities experiencing more frequent and damaging flooding to reconnect their rivers to floodplains. We use the licensing and reoperation of hydropower dams as an opportunity to protect rivers, communities, and cultures.
Remove 30,000 Harmful Dams:
We train, support, and advise local partners, and advocate for a strong framework of policies to exponentially grow the number of dams removed nationwide. By focusing our project, policy, and communications expertise, American Rivers is supporting the effort to remove the Klamath River dams and secure an agreement to remove the Snake River dams. Our on-the-ground work to reconnect and restore free-flowing rivers will emphasize areas that address climate impacts, benefit communities of color, and protect biodiversity. We will grow our leadership within the Uncommon Dialogue, finding common ground across the hydropower, conservation, business, and Tribal communities to improve hydropower dams and remove harmful, obsolete dams without contributing to climate change.
Ensure clean water for every community:
We will defend and strengthen the Clean Water Act and other key federal and state safeguards. We will make sure that the hundreds of millions of dollars available from the federal infrastructure legislation flows where it’s most needed — to improve climate resiliency, safety, and health. We will launch a robust national rivers and clean water advocacy strategy in coalition with partners. At a minimum 50 percent of partners will be Black, Indigenous, People of Color, or members of Tribal Nations. We will grow our engagement with and leadership in key coalitions to mobilize the political power needed to ensure all people have access to clean water.
Champion a powerful river movement:
By expanding our presence in every region of the country, we will work on more rivers and with more communities — particularly those that have been historically sidelined from decision-making. We will also help connect local advocates to the national river movement to ensure they have the tools and support to get the job done. We seek to connect people in cities to their rivers and streams by doubling NationalRiver Cleanup®. Our annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign will shine a national spotlight on local rivers issues and the leaders driving change. We co-lead multiple coalitions that drive the national river and water policy agenda.