The vast majority of US rivers lack any protections from human activities, new research finds

Most American rivers are still not properly protected

A new study reveals that most U.S. rivers lack real protection, putting clean water, wildlife, and communities at risk.

The vast majority of US rivers lack any protections from human activities, new research finds

The U.S. boasts more than 4 million miles of rivers, peppered with laws and regulations to protect access to drinking water and essential habitat for fish and wildlife. But in the first comprehensive review of river protection, research co-led by the University of Washington shows that the existing regulations account for less than 20% of total river length and vary widely by region.