Get Outdoors - Volunteer: What are Wild and Scenic Rivers?

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protects free-flowing rivers with "outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values." At this point, 158 rivers have been designated wild and scenic, covering 10,931 miles. Within this system, 5,280 miles are designated wild, 2,393 miles are scenic, and 3,258 miles are recreational.Did you know.?

Of the country's 3.5 million river miles, only 10,931.2 are designated as National Wild and Scenic rivers?
Only 2% of America's rivers are free-flowing and pristine enough to qualify for wild and scenic designation?
Fewer than 30% of our total river miles maintain healthy fisheries?
Over 40% of our rivers are not considered swimmable or fishable?
About 50% of our drinking water comes from rivers?
Worldwide, a billion people lack reliable access to clean water?

In 1968, Congress enacted the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and, for the first time, established a system for preserving outstanding free-flowing rivers. By that year, so many rivers in the nation had been dammed, channelized, and over-developed that Congress thought it wise to protect some outstanding examples of what remained. Such rivers are an important part of our natural and cultural heritage and their protection offers the American public diverse recreation opportunities, enhanced tourism economies, the preservation of plant and animal species, and even more dependable supplies of clean water. Moreover, most communities that have designated Wild and Scenic Rivers are proud of the recognition their areas have received and have benefitted from the increases in land values that protected river designations bring.

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is the strongest statutory tool for protecting natural rivers. Dams are forbidden, inappropriate streamside development can be limited and growth better managed, and essential non-utilitarian values are maintained. According to the National Park Service's Nationwide Rivers Inventory, more than 60,000 miles of river qualify for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. But by late 1988, fewer than 9,300 miles enjoyed such protection. That's about one quarter of one percent of all US river miles.By contrast, 600,000 - 17% of what used to be free-running rivers - now lie stilled behind an estimated 60,000 dams. That is, for every mile of river preserved, our nation has extinguished 65 miles, a profound rate of extinction.

American Rivers is working to stem the extinction of our most outstanding natural rivers. With the help of conservation colleagues from all over the United States, we intend to bring the national rivers system to full complement. To do so will require the continued hard work of volunteers, professional conservationists, legislators, and agency officials.

Because the rate of river extinctions is proceeding apace, rivers need your help if our nation is to live in reasonable equilibrium with its environment.

Wild and Scenic Mileposts:
1957: The Craighead brothers propose a national rivers system in Montana Wildlife.
1965:Wisconsin becomes the first state to pass a law protecting wild rivers.
1968:The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in enacted.
1973: The American Rivers Conservation Council (now American Rivers) is founded to expand the number of waterways protected by the Act.
1980: The Alaska Lands Act adds 25 river segments to the system.
1988-90: Wildcat Brook (NH) and Farmington River (CT) become the first rivers in the system to be managed by local entities.
1992: The Michigan and Arkansas Omnibus Rivers Acts add a total of seventeen new segments to the river system.