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The environmental organization American Rivers has released its annual report demoninated America’s Most Endangered Rivers 2018 (“List”).

The organization American Rivers was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

The List has been issued annually since 1984.

The organization states it reviews nominations from river groups and citizens across the country. Rivers are stated to be selected based upon the following criteria:

• A major decision (that the public can help influence) in the coming year on the proposed action
• The significance of the river to human and natural communities
• The magnitude of the threat to the river and associated communities, especially in light of a changing climate

The document is stated to be a list of rivers “confronted by critical decisions which will determine their future” as opposed to an identification of the worst or most polluted rivers. The information provided includes, in addition to the particular river, the relevant state and the organization’s belief as to the threat, and what is at risk.

The rivers found on the 2018 List include:

1. Big Sunflower River(Mississippi)
2. Rivers of Bristol Bay(Alaska)
3. Boundary Waters (Minnesota)
4. Lower Rio Grande (Texas)
5. South Fork Salmon River (Idaho)
6. Mississippi River Gorge (Minnesota)
7. Smith River (Montana)
8. Colville (Kuukpik) River (Alaska)
9. Middle Fork of the Vermilion River (Illinois)
10. Kinnickinnic River (Wisconsin)

A copy of the 2018 List can be downloaded here.