ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A stretch of the Missouri River, from Iowa to St. Louis, has been named one of the "2021 Most Endangered Rivers" in America.
American Rivers, which publishes the annual report, states that poor flood management poses a serious public safety risk to those who live along the river. In recent years, more than 850 miles of levees in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska have been damaged during floods, the report states.
American Rivers says the region must take a new approach that they say will prevent from wasting more taxpayer dollars.
Related
"States and local governments located in areas where catastrophic flooding has occurred must commit to non-structural and nature-based solutions, including setting back levees to give the river room, preventing development in the Missouri River floodplain that contributes to rising flood waters and increased flood risk, and funding relocation and flood mitigation projects for communities already located in flood-prone areas," the report states.
At 2,300 miles long, the Missouri River is the longest in the U.S. American Rivers states the hundreds of miles of levees have destroyed some dynamic features of the river. It was also on this top-10 list last year.
“Folks along the Missouri River know floods are increasing, but sometimes it’s hard to break from failed, outdated so-called 'solutions.' Citizens and taxpayers need leadership to advance the changes we have long known are needed,” said Caroline Pufalt with Missouri River Network, Sierra Club. “The Missouri River needs room to expand and connect with its historical floodplain. By doing that in some places, we can help protect other places where towns and farms can more safely enjoy proximity to the river.”
The top-10 most endangered rivers listed by American Rivers are:
#1: Snake River (ID, WA, OR)
Threat: Four federal dams on the lower Snake River
#2: Lower Missouri River (MO, IA, NE, KS)
Threat: Outdated river management and flooding fueled by climate change
#3: Boundary Waters (MN)
Threat: Pollution from proposed sulfide-ore copper mining
#4: South River (GA)
Threat: Sewage pollution due to lax enforcement
#5: Pecos River (NM)
Threat: Pollution from proposed gold, copper and zinc mining
#6: Tar Creek (OK)
Threat: Pollution from Tar Creek Superfund Site
#7: McCloud River (CA)
Threat: Raising of Shasta Dam, flooding state Wild and Scenic River
#8: Ipswich River (MA)
Threat: Excessive water withdrawals
#9: Raccoon River (IA)
Threat: Pollution from industrial agriculture and factory farming
#10: Turkey Creek (MS)
Threat: Two major developments exacerbating flood risk
Read the full report, here.
© 2021 KMOX (Audacy). All rights reserved