More than 80% of watersheds in the United States currently lack adequate protection, but the new National Protected Rivers Assessment tool can now tell you if your local river or creek is in trouble. Developed by the nonprofit American Rivers and Conservation Science Partners, this online framework evaluates waterways across the entire country to address historically scattered data regarding river safety.
The new system analyzes more than 70 possible mechanisms of protection, ranging from vegetative buffer zones to local ordinances and wildlife habitat safeguards. The data reveals that California watersheds are only 31% protected, which unfortunately stands as one of the highest scores in the nation.
Explore the National Protected Rivers Assessment online today.
