The Willamette River is among 10 most 'endangered' rivers of 2019

Sure, we know about endangered species, but did you know there are endangered rivers, too?

Environmental group American Rivers released its annual list of the USA's top 10 "most endangered" rivers Tuesday, and this year, the top "dishonor" goes to New Mexico’s Gila River. The river got the top spot due to the grave threat that climate change and a proposed diversion project pose to New Mexico’s last free-flowing river. 

"New Mexicans can’t afford to dry up their last wild river,” said Matt Rice, Colorado Basin director for American Rivers. “Ruining the Gila River with an expensive diversion project doesn’t make sense when there are better, more cost-effective water supply options.”

PHOTOS:Trash, items pile up along Willamette Slough draw concern in Salem

The Willamette River in Oregon was ranked as the fifth most endangered. Here's what American Rivers said: "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must immediately improve 13 dams to save wild chinook salmon and steelhead from going extinct."

These rivers aren't the nation's "worst" or most polluted rivers. According to American Rivers, three factors put rivers on the list: the significance of the river to human and natural communities; the magnitude of the threat to the river and its nearby communities, especially in light of a changing climate; and a major decision that the public can help influence in the coming year.

“Climate change is striking rivers and water supplies first and hardest,” said Bob Irvin, President and CEO of American Rivers, in a statement. “America’s Most Endangered Rivers is a call to action. We must speak up and take action, because climate change will profoundly impact every river and community in our country."

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In addition to the 10 most troubled rivers, American Rivers also named the Cuyahoga River in Ohio as the "River of the Year." The title celebrates the progress Cleveland has made in cleaning up the Cuyahoga, 50 years after the river’s infamous fire that helped spark the USA's environmental movement.

American Rivers has been compiling an annual list of the nation's most endangered rivers since 1984.

Here is the list of American Rivers' top 10 most Endangered Rivers.

1. Gila River, New Mexico
2.  Hudson River, New York
3.  Upper Mississippi River, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri
4.  Green-Duwamish River, Washington
5.  Willamette River, Oregon
6.  Chilkat River, Alaska
7.  South Fork Salmon River, Idaho
8.  Buffalo National River, Arkansas
9.  Big Darby Creek, Ohio
10. Stikine River, Alaska

More Willamette River news:

• PHOTOS:The Willamette River floods River Road South in Salem
• WATCH:The Willamette River approaches minor flood stage
• PHOTOS:Salem, Willamette Valley floods of 1996
• WATCH:Flooding cripples homeless camp at Wallace Marine Park
• PHOTOS:Homeless camp floods in Wallace Marine Park in West Salem
• WATCH:Trash along banks of the Willamette Slough draws concern