Friday, April 11, 2014

The San Joaquin Tops the List of America’s Most Endangered Rivers

The conservation group American Rivers released its annual list of the nation’s most endangered waterways today, and topping that list is the San Joaquin River. Outdated water management and excessive water diversions were cited as the reason why the Central California river is considered at greater risk than any other in the country. Nearly 4 million people live in, and depend upon, the watershed of the San Joaquin and its tributaries. The river supports more than two million acres of agriculture along with declining species of wildlife. The San Joaquin River’s major tributaries also generate hydro power and drinking water for San Francisco Bay Area. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.