Two of Iowa’s Rivers Are Endangered!
Most of the time you don't necessarily think of rivers when you think of things in the natural world that are endangered. Usually you think of animals or even those sad commercials guilting you into donating to help them out.
I'll be the first person to admit that I've done it! The music gets me EVERY TIME.
Those amazing creatures that we are constantly reminded to preserve and protect.
It looks like we have to expand our mind a bit more and consider that things beside animals can in fact be in danger of fading away too. Just like some rivers in Iowa.
A report came out with a list of the ten most endangered rivers in the United States, and unfortunately Iowa's rivers are there twice. Two of Iowa's rivers are actually endangered.
The two rivers from our state on this list are the Lower Missouri River and Raccoon River.
It's actually the second time in several years that the Lower Missouri River has been put on the list. Due to climate change and storms this river and many of the communities that rely on it are at risk. It also happens to be one of the nation's most altered waterways.
Then there is the Raccoon River. This river hydrates upwards of 500,000 Iowans right in Des Moines. The main concern with this river involves heavy pollution and some toxic algae.
To learn more about these rivers and the eight other bodies of water on this list, check out American Rivers' website and list here.