"The Potomac River, otherwise known as “the nation’s river,” has been named the most endangered river in the country, following a massive sewage spill earlier this year and the ongoing buildout of thirsty data centers across the watershed.

The ranking comes from the national nonprofit American Rivers, which focuses on conservation of drinking water, wildlife, and other water related issues. They take into account future risks to water availability, water infrastructure needs and pollution.

“The Potomac is at an inflection point and cannot continue to sustain the rapid expansion of water-guzzling data centers drawing from its waters,” said Pat Calvert, the Virginia conservation director for American Rivers. “Act now or watch this river be detrimentally redefined for the everyday citizen that depends on it.”

More than six million people live in the Potomac River basin through Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C.  It is the main source of drinking water for Washington D.C. and surrounding areas."

Shannon Heckt reports for the Virginia Mercury April 17, 2026. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2026" (American Rivers) [3]