Summer is here! That means longer days for fishing, hiking, kayaking, swimming – more daylight for all of your favorite river activities. Summer is my favorite time of year. To me, nothing compares to creating memories with friends and loved ones during group paddles and river hangs. Even alone, just sitting and listening to the water as it makes its way downstream – the riffles, the rapids, the birds, the fish splashing grounds me and reminds me that rivers have life within and around them — life that depends on them.
For National Rivers Month, we want to celebrate the common belief that Life Depends on Rivers®. There is a reason it is the American Rivers tagline. Rivers provide our drinking water, grow our food, and provide vital habitat for fish and wildlife. All life requires healthy rivers to survive.
This year has been a challenging year for rivers, with many threats putting clean water and ecosystems at risk. That’s why it is more important than ever to recognize and celebrate the progress we make together.
I hope you enjoy some celebratory updates from the past year that show the impact we can have if we all work together to protect our rivers under the shared belief that Life Depends on Rivers®.
100 Dams Down: A Big Year for Reconnecting Rivers in the U.S.
In 2025, the United States removed 100 dams. One hundred outdated, often crumbling, and frequently dangerous structures were pulled from our waterways across 30 states. In their wake, more than 4,893 miles of river were reconnected — the most upstream miles ever reconnected in a single year in the U.S. through dam removal. In these rivers, water is flowing freely again for the first time in decades, sometimes centuries. Learn more…
Tijuana River’s landmark agreement to stop toxic pollution
The Tijuana River ranked #2 in our 2025 America’s Most Endangered Rivers® report due to toxic pollution threatening border communities. This designation, developed with partners Surfrider Foundation and Un Mar de Colores, helped catalyze swift federal action. Within three months of the April report release, American Rivers and others were invited to meet with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, which helped build momentum for a landmark agreement between the United States and Mexico to address the ongoing public health crisis. This demonstrates how strategic advocacy, combined with persistent community leadership, drives solutions for rivers and their communities. Learn more…
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Texas voters approve $20 billion investment for water and flood resilience
In a groundbreaking victory, Texas voters approved a ballot initiative dedicating $1 billion annually for 20 years to fund water infrastructure improvements, wetland and floodplain restoration, and river reconnection projects. This is the largest state-based investment in water resources in U.S. history — a bipartisan triumph showing that water wins at the ballot box. American Rivers Action Fund worked alongside the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund and Texans for Opportunity to support this groundbreaking measure, paving the way for similar successes across the country. Learn more…
Bipartisan river protection progress for the Myakka River
American Rivers advanced a meaningful milestone for Florida’s Myakka River: Senator Moody signed on as a co-sponsor of the Myakka Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, joining lead sponsor Representative Steube and Senator Scott. The result is the full Florida congressional delegation united behind protecting this beloved river. River protection transcends party lines, and American Rivers can build the political will to protect special places across the country. Learn more…
