Wild and Scenic Rivers
Leading the charge to protect the nation’s last, best rivers
SUCCESS! American Rivers worked with a coalition of conservation and recreation organizations to protect 27.4 miles of the upper Middle Fork Snoqualmie River and the entire 9.5-mile Pratt River as Wild and Scenic Rivers, as well as the addition of 22,100 acres of new wilderness to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area.
American Rivers' Montana Wild Rivers Campaign aims to protect the state's great, pristine rivers while they are still pristine, safeguarding against climate change and harmful development.
American Rivers is working to permanently protect Illabot Creek's free-flowing character, water quality and outstanding fish and wildlife values. Illabot Creek, a tributary to the Wild and Scenic Skagit River, provides crucial habitat for two of the Northwest's beloved icons - salmon and eagles.
American Rivers is working to protect the Molalla Rivers, which is an important resource for clean water, and additionally is an important habitat for salmon, trout and steelhead, along with other species that are part of this river ecosystem. Additionally the river is an important place for river recreation.
American Rivers' has been active in protecting the rivers of Mt. Hood-- Oregon enjoys a reputation for some of the greatest river ecosystems and river recreation in the country.
The purpose of the Upper Nooksack River Recreation Plan (Plan) is to provide guidance and recommendations for managing non-motorized recreation use in the river corridors of the upper Nooksack River system. The Plan recognizes and supports the benefits of recreation, along with the protection and restoration of the natural and cultural values of the upper Nooksack River basin in Washington state.
Flowing from the high snowfields and glaciers of Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan, and the Twin Sisters range in the North Cascades, the Nooksack River system is home to all five types of salmon, steelhead, bull trout, bald eagle, black bear, cougar, elk, and many other fish and wildlife species that need intact, wild places to survive. Whitewater rivers, incredible mountain views and old-growth forests provide world-class hiking, kayaking, and other recreation opportunities. Yet the majority of the Nooksack system remains unprotected
American Rivers is a core member of a coalition working to protect over 400 miles of river habitat on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State through Wild and Scenic designation.
The future of 2.6 million acres of high value public forest lands is at risk. Managed mainly by the Bureau of Land Management in Oregon known as Oregon and California (“O&C”) lands, these forests are home to perhaps the highest concentrations of pristine wild rivers in the United States. Watersheds such as the Rogue, Illinois, Umpqua, and McKenzie support abundant fish and wildlife, including elk, black-tail deer, back bear and the healthiest wild salmon and steelhead runs south of Canada.
American Rivers and partners are working to protect new rivers with Wild and Scenic designation, including rivers in the North Cascades, Olympic Peninsula, and the Rogue. They are outstanding rivers with special fish and wildlife habitat, clean water, and recreation opportunities for future generations.
The Yampa River in northwest Colorado is the last major free-flowing river in the Colorado River Basin. Carving through beautiful canyons and rich with history, the Yampa joins the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument. Because of its wild nature, the Yampa and its canyons provide refuge for endangered species and offer unparalleled recreational opportunities.
American Rivers is working with the Volcano Country Wild and Scenic Rivers Coalition to protect 200 miles of rivers and streams in Southwest Washington's Volcano Country under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.