The Gila River snakes through New Mexico's Gila National Forest. This free-flowing river is drying up due to overuse and climate change altering snowpack. It faces a potentially massive project that would divert water away from the upper New Mexico portion of the river.
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These are the most endangered U.S. rivers
A new report breaks down ten American rivers that are most at risk in 2019.
These ten U.S. rivers are particularly endangered, according to a new report from the conservation group American Rivers.
For the past 34 years, the organization has advocated to protect major rivers from threats like dam construction, pollution, and climate change. This year, New Mexico's Gila River (pronounced hee-la) was chosen as the most endangered. The river is negatively impacted by diminishing snow pack and advocates say plans to divert significant portions of the river would exacerbate climate change impacts.
“It will be significantly damaged in the near future unless action is taken,” says Chris Williams, the senior vice president of communication at American Rivers.
The Gila is one of New Mexico's most treasured rivers. It's ancient, having been a source
