![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FRS_SanJoaquinRiver_02.jpeg\" "\\"The")
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The San Joaquin River flows calmly along the banks of the Jensen River Ranch area that is part of the San Joaquin River Conservancy with its trail access points just to the north of Woodward Park in Fresno on Wednesday, April 20, 2025.<\/p>\n
CRAIG KOHLRUSS<\/p>\n
ckohlruss@fresnobee.com<\/p>\n
California has more than 188,000 miles of rivers and streams<\/a>, with major waterways winding through Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno and other cities, according to the Public Policy Institute of California<\/p>\n California\u2019s $4.1 trillion economy<\/a> relies \u201cheavily\u201d on rivers for its water supply as well as electricity and recreational activities, the nonprofit think tank said.<\/p>\n However, data center development, mining and pollution are \u201cputting river health and public well-being at risk,\u201d according to American Rivers.<\/a><\/p>\n The nonprofit conservation organization recently ranked the most endangered rivers in the United States in 2026 \u2014 and two California rivers made the top 10.<\/p>\n See where they ranked:<\/p>\n In 2026, the most endangered river in California was the San Joaquin River, according to the American Rivers report.<\/p>\n It was the second-most endangered river in the nation, the group said.<\/p>\n The San Joaquin River originates in the high Sierra Nevada<\/a> and travels more than 300 miles through the Central Valley before reaching the San Francisco Bay delta, merging with the Sacramento River at one point. Along the way, it\u2019s fed by the Merced, Stanislaus and Tuolumne rivers<\/a>.<\/p>\n The upper reaches of the San Joaquin River are diverted into the Friant Dam.<\/p>\n The river is the \u201cprimary water source\u201d for more than 30 million Californians and nearly half of California\u2019s $61 billion agricultural economy,\u201d American Rivers said, and a \u201clifeline\u201d for endangered Chinook salmon<\/a>.<\/p>\n The San Joaquin River Restoration Program<\/a> aims to to restore 150 miles of the San Joaquin River from the Friant Dam<\/a> to the confluence with the Merced River, allowing fish to move freely<\/a> once more.<\/p>\n One threat to the San Joaquin River\u2019s health is a massive gravel mine<\/a> proposed by Cemex that could alter the river\u2019s flow, expose the water supply to pollution, and stall completion of the San Joaquin River Parkway if approved, American Rivers said.<\/p>\n Another California river landed lower on American Rivers\u2019 list of the most endangered rivers in the nation, taking the No. 9 spot.<\/p>\n Known as the \u201cCrown Jewel of the Mojave Desert,\u201d the Amargosa River<\/a> is the only free-flowing river in the Death Valley region of the Mojave, providing a rare and lush riparian area in the desert.\u201d the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System said.<\/p>\n The river runs through Inyo and San Bernardino counties before crossing state lines into Nevada.<\/p>\n The river \u201cflows mostly underground but surfaces in a few places,\u201d the Amargosa Conservancy said<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, American Rivers said, proposed claystone mining expansion near the Amargosa River\u2019s headwaters and along the borders of Ash Meadows threaten to \u201cpollute the river and impact the groundwater essential to the river\u2019s flows.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDewatering of open pits may put groundwater-fed springs in Ash Meadows and Death Valley National Park at risk of destabilization or drying, which would be catastrophic for the river\u2019s fragile wildlife,\u201d American Rivers said.<\/p>\n Endangered animals including the Amargosa vole<\/a> and Amargoda River pupfish<\/a> live in or near the river.<\/p>\n According to American Rivers, these 10 rivers face the greatest threats<\/a> from pollution, mining and more:<\/p>\n Potomac River in Maryland and VirginiaSan Joaquin River in CaliforniaBoundary Waters in MinnesotaLumber River in North Carolina and South CarolinaRogue River in OregonChilkat River in ArkansasNissequogue River in New YorkDan River in North Carolina and VirginiaAmargosa River in California and NevadaSuwannee River in FloridaHow did American Rivers identify at-risk waterways?<\/p>\n American Rivers said it reviews nominations for the America\u2019s Most Endangered Rivers repor<\/a>t from people and organizations across the country, and evaluates them based on this criteria:<\/p>\n A decision in the coming year that will impact the river\u2019s fateThe magnitude of threat to the river and its communitiesThe significance of the river to people, wildlife and nature<\/p>\n \u201cEach year since 1984, local leaders have teamed up with American Rivers to use the report to save their local rivers, consistently scoring policy successes that benefit clean water and communities,\u201d the nonprofit organization said.<\/p>\n Loading\u2026<\/p>\n This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 10:59 AM.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n![\"American](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LedgerBridge.JPG\" "\\"LedgerBridge.JPG\\"")
American Rivers ranks the most endangered rivers in the United States. California is home to two. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com What is the most endangered river in California?<\/p>\n A photo composite rendering of CEMEX\u2019s proposed blast mine near the San Joaquin River and its proximity to Fresno. Courtesy Neil Thompson What other rivers are endangered in the state?<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FRS_SanJoaquinRiver_04.jpeg\" "\\"FRS_SanJoaquinRiver_04\\"")
The San Joaquin River curves past the Jensen River Ranch area that is part of the San Joaquin River Conservancy with its trail access points just to the north of Fresno\u2019s Woodward Park in this drone image taken on Wednesday, April 20, 2025. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com What are 10 most endangered rivers in the country?<\/p>\n