A recent report ranks the Rappahannock River, which flows through Fredericksburg, as the sixth most endangered in the country.
Nonprofit conservation group American Rivers released its 40th annual endangered rivers list on Tuesday. The report states that, “The Rappahannock River is one of Virginia’s most iconic waterways, stretching over 195 miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. The river supports a diverse array of ecosystems and provides critical habitat for fish and wildlife.”
American Rivers says the Rappahannock is threatened by increased strain on water resources and the lack of unified water management. “As the region continues to grow, protecting the Rappahannock’s health and sustainability is more important than ever,” the report says. “Despite new regulations requiring regional water supply plans, the five planning regions within the Rappahannock watershed lack a mandate to operate under a unified, basin-wide approach.”
The report also quotes Jack Ryan, Rappahannock Tribe Director of Environmental and Natural Resource Programs. “The marshes, migratory fisheries, and bird habitat have sustained the Rappahannock people for generations. After hundreds of years of separation from the Rappahannock River, the Tribe finally repatriated 400 acres of its lost homeland on the river in 2022. It is cruel to give away the Tribe’s River, without due diligence, just as they returned to their land,” Ryan said.
Other Endangered Rivers
The Mississippi River was ranked as the most endangered in the country. According to the report, “frequent and severe floods are threatening lives and businesses, while the river’s health declines. Communities along the river need significant support for disaster prevention and response, as well as river restoration.”
Other rivers on the top 10 most endangered list include:
- No. 2: Tijuana River
- No. 3: Rivers of Southern Appalachia
- No. 4: Passaic River
- No. 5: Lower Rio Grande
- No. 7: Clearwater River Basin
- No. 8: Susitna River
- No. 9: Calcasieu River
- No. 10: Gauley River
Feature image courtesy Mosto/stock.adobe.com
