The Potomac River, a river that provides much of the drinking water to Washington, D.C., has topped the annual list of most endangered waterways in America, according to a national conservation group. On Tuesday, American Rivers released its annual ranking of the 10 most troubled rivers in America. The group said that thanks to the Clean Water Act of 1972, the Potomac is in much better shape than it was 40 years ago, however, the river remains under the threat of pollution. Threats include new dams or reservoirs, natural gas development, coal mining, and dredging, according to the group’s 27th annual report, which focuses on rivers that will be affected by a major business policy or business decision within the next year.
President of American Rivers Bob Irvin said, “When members of Congress fill a glass of water or drink their morning coffee, that water comes from the Potomac River. It’s time to draw the clear connections between healthy rivers, drinking water, and public health in Washington, D.C., and in communities nationwide.” Among the other nine American rivers endangered are, the Green River, the Chattahoochee River, the Missouri River, the Hoback River, the Grand River, the South Fork Skykomish River, the Crystal River, the Coal River, and the Kansas River.
