Flathead River, Montana | Jeremiah Watt Photography
Rivers make life possible. Wild and Scenic Rivers are our healthiest, cleanest, most intact waterways — protected for their scenic beauty, natural and cultural significance, and recreational value. They provide clean drinking water, support a rich web of life, and are the lifeblood of our communities.
A Wild and Scenic designation protects the free and natural flow of a river and preserves what makes a river special. That includes:
- Safeguarding clean water
- Prohibiting new dams or damaging water projects
- Requiring a management plan with input from local landowners and other stakeholders
Today, only about 12,000 miles of rivers are protected as Wild and Scenic. That’s less than 1 percent of rivers in the U.S.
There’s still so much more to protect.
Let’s safeguard rivers that are still clean and healthy — for drinking water, wildlife, our communities, and future generations. Help keep our nation’s rivers beautiful by signing our petition to pledge your support for river protection through Wild and Scenic River designations.
