USGS Report Released: Century-scale Perspective on Water Quality in Selected River Basins of the Conterminous United States

Recently, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a report titled Century-scale Perspective on Water Quality in Selected River Basins of the Conterminous United States (USGS Sci. Invstgn Rep. 2012-5225). The 120-page report available here, discusses:

[n]utrient pollution in the form of excess nitrogen and phosphorus inputs is a well-known cause of water-quality degradation that has affected water bodies across the Nation throughout the 20th century. The recognition of excess nutrients as pollution developed later than the recognition of other water-quality problems, such as waterborne illness, industrial pollution, and organic wastes. Nevertheless, long-term analysis of nutrient pollution is fundamental to our understanding of the current magnitude of the problem, as well the origins and the effects. This report describes the century-scale changes in water quality across a range streams in order to place current water-quality concerns in historical context and presents this history on a national scale as well as for selected river reaches. The primary focus is on nutrient pollution, but the development and societal responses to other water-quality problems also are considered. Land use and agriculture in the selected river reaches also are analyzed to consider how these factors may relate to nutrient pollution. Finally, the availability of relevant nutrient and inorganic carbon data are presented for the selected river reaches. Sources of these data included Federal agencies, State-level reports, municipal public works facilities, public health surveys, and sanitary surveys. The availability of these data extends back more than a century for most of the selected river reaches and suggests that there is a tremendous opportunity to document the development of nutrient pollution in these river reaches.

America's Most Endangered Rivers for 2012 -- American Rivers

America's Most Endangered Rivers for 2012, this report from American Rivers states that several U.S. rivers are endangered.  these are selected based upon the following criteria:

• A major decision (that the public can help influence) in the coming year on the proposed action;
• The significance of the river to human and natural communities;
• The magnitude of the threat to the river and associated communities, especially in light of a changing climate

The report highlights ten rivers whose fate will be decided in the coming year, and encourages decision-makers to do the right thing for the rivers and the communities they support. It presents alternatives to proposals that would damage rivers, identifies those who make the crucial decisions, and points out opportunities for the public to take action on behalf of each listed river.