They call it “America’s River.” It has carried soldiers to war, grain to market, and dreams to the sea. It has carved towns, fed families, inspired songs, and fueled an economy bigger than some nations. From the quiet marshes of Wisconsin and the bluffs of Minnesota to the roaring currents of the Delta, the Mississippi River has been our constant, a lifeline for the heart of America.

But today, that lifeline is fraying. This $7 billion economic engine,  the backbone of river towns, a highway for our farmers, and a sanctuary for wildlife, is in trouble. I recently found out that the Mississippi is now ranked as the #1 Most Endangered River in the United States, and the reasons are as urgent as they are alarming: polluted waters, vanishing habitats, invasive species, unusual weather conditions, and shrinking federal investment in its care.

If we let it fail, the damage will echo far beyond the riverbanks. Our economy, our communities, and our quality of life will all pay the price.

The Mississippi has been there for us for generations. Now, it’s our turn to be there for her.

Few rivers in the world carry the weight of an entire nation on their back quite like the Mississippi. Beyond its natural beauty, the river is a $7 billion economic engine,  fueling agriculture, shipping, tourism, recreation, and thousands of jobs in river communities. But that lifeline is in danger, and the truth is stark: we cannot replace it.

The Mississippi River, and its sister waterways like the Great Lakes, are not just “nice to have”; they are critical infrastructure for America’s economy, ecosystems, and quality of life. And yet, in 2025, the Mississippi is listed as America’s #1 Most Endangered River.

If we don’t act, the damage could be irreversible.

Why the River Matters, and Why It’s at Risk

In 1986, Congress officially recognized the Upper Mississippi River System as both a nationally significant ecosystem and a nationally significant commercial navigation system. That dual designation reflects a simple truth: the river is both a working waterway and a living system,  a place where commerce, wildlife, and recreation meet.

From the barges carrying 60% of U.S. grain exports to the wetlands that filter our water and provide nesting grounds for bald eagles, the Mississippi is woven into the fabric of the Midwest and the nation. Communities along the river depend on it for economic opportunity, public recreation, and cultural identity.

But today, the Mississippi faces a perfect storm of threats:

The Mississippi River is currently facing a convergence of environmental, ecological, and infrastructural challenges. These include:

> Habitat Loss from Sedimentation and Altered Water Flows

> Unusual weather conditions have increased sediment delivery and disrupted water exchange between the main channel and backwaters, degrading critical habitats.

>Navigation dams and levees prevent natural channel evolution, requiring more dredging and habitat restoration.

Source: Wisconsin DNR Climate Report on the Mississippi River

Invasive Species Disrupting Native Ecosystems

> Invasive carp (silver, bighead, grass, black) outcompete native fish for food and habitat, degrade water quality, and threaten biodiversity.

> Silver carp are especially disruptive, known for leaping from the water and crowding out native plankton feeders.

Source: National Park Service – Invasive Carp Overview

Unusual Weather Causing Floods and Droughts

The Mississippi River basin is experiencing more frequent and severe flooding and drought — not just as occasional anomalies, but as part of a growing pattern tied to unusual weather conditions. These swings disrupt agriculture, navigation, and ecosystems, with FEMA and Army Corps budgets already under strain. When navigation channels are impassable from low water or farmlands are underwater from record floods, the damage ripples across the national economy.

These extremes disrupt agriculture, navigation, and ecosystems, with FEMA and Army Corps budgets under threat.

Source: American Rivers – Mississippi Named Most Endangered River of 2025

Aging Infrastructure and Reduced Federal Investment

Locks, dams, and levees are deteriorating, while federal restoration programs face budget cuts.

The Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) seeks to coordinate federal investment and habitat recovery.

Source: EPA – Mississippi River Restoration and Resiliency Strategy

These are not slow, distant problems. They’re happening now, and without immediate action, they will accelerate.

The Role of Science and Stewardship

If the Mississippi River is the body, then the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is its doctor,  constantly monitoring its pulse, diagnosing problems, and tracking its health. The Upper Midwest Science Center (UMESC) is at the heart of this work, conducting essential research on:

The Ecosystems Mission Area: A National Network for Local Impact

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Ecosystems Mission Area is one of roughly 20 mission areas nationwide that deliver critical, science-based solutions for America’s most pressing environmental challenges. These teams provide trusted and timely information to address conservation and management issues that affect public lands and surrounding communities. For the Mississippi River, this means applying decades of expertise to habitat restoration, invasive species control, and ecosystem health — work that directly benefits the safety, prosperity, and resilience of the people who live and work along its banks.

However, despite the importance of this work, the most recent budget lists the Department of the Interior (DOI) as “flat” compared to the previous year, and specifics for the Ecosystems Mission Area itself are still shown as zero. Whether this reflects a pending reorganization or a redirection of funds to unrelated priorities like mining exploration or land acquisition, the result is the same: critical science for America’s waterways is left in limbo.

River Flow and Water Quality

**Sediment movement and habitat loss

**Invasive species control (like the sea lamprey program in the Great Lakes)

**Long-term ecological monitoring of fish, vegetation, and wetlands

But here’s the problem: funding for these programs has been slashed in the proposed 2026 Federal Budget. Without restoration of staffing, facilities, and operational support, UMESC and other critical programs will not be able to protect the Mississippi or the communities that depend on it.

Why is Federal Investment so Important?

Healthy rivers don’t happen by accident. They require:

**Expert staff

**Laboratories and field stations

**Active management of habitats

**Collaborative partnerships between federal agencies, states, and private contractors

Programs like the Upper Mississippi River Management Act and the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge are essential. They support habitat restoration projects often carried out by private-sector businesses, injecting jobs and revenue directly into local economies. Cutting these programs now would not only harm the environment but could also jeopardize billions in economic activity, from shipping to tourism to manufacturing.

A Call to Action, For All of Us

This isn’t just a government problem. It’s a community problem.  If you fish on the river, boat on its backwaters, hunt its floodplains, or simply enjoy the view from a park bench, you have a stake in its future.

**We urge every reader to:

**Contact your Congressman and Senators to demand restoration of Department of Interior (DOI) funding for the 2026 Federal Budget.

**Share this message with friends, family, and local organizations. We all have contacts who can write to their elected officials.

**Support conservation groups and initiatives that work to restore the Mississippi River and Great Lakes.  It's a non-partisan issue! 

A healthy river means healthy communities,  clean drinking water, thriving wildlife, strong local economies, and safe navigation for commerce and recreation.

The Mississippi River is more than water, it’s life, history, and the heartbeat of countless communities. For generations, families have fished its backwaters, camped on its sandbars, and watched sunsets melt into its horizon. But today, the river faces a crisis that threatens not just its beauty, but its very survival. Federal funding that safeguards its health is set to vanish, and with it, the science, management, and protections that have taken decades to build. If we stay silent, the damage may be irreversible.  Grouse Hollow Journal, authored on August 13, 2025 by Greg Koelker speaks volumes to this.  

The Bottom Line

Protecting the Mississippi means fully funding the Ecosystems Mission Area and other federal programs that keep our rivers healthy. Without that investment, we risk dismantling the very network of science and stewardship that has kept this river — and others like it — alive for generations.

The Mississippi River is not replaceable. It is a living, breathing asset to the nation,  and a critical link in our economic and ecological chain. Losing it would be a self-inflicted wound to America’s heartland and beyond.

We have the science. We have the programs. We have the know-how. All we need now is the will and the funding to act.

The river has given to all of us for generations. Now, it’s our turn to give back!

Your voice can make a difference. We’ve prepared two sample letters you can use to contact your elected officials—one detailed and one more concise—so you can choose whichever best fits your style. Simply personalize them with your name and send them today.

Here’s how to reach your representatives:

Senator Tammy Baldwin
717 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5653

Senator Ron Johnson
328 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5323

Congressman Derrick Van Orden
1513 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5506

Links to Sample Letters:

• [Sample Letter – Full Version]
• [Sample Letter – Short Version]

By taking just a few minutes to send a letter, you help ensure the Mississippi River—and all who depend on it—will be protected for generations to come.

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Visit our Website - https://lakeonarehab.org

for More info, email jeffatlorc@gmail.com  

Check out other stories from around the area from Concerned groups!

• Lower Mississippi River Economic Profile - Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee
• The River that Never Sleeps: Exploring the Impact of the Magnificent Mississippi - Heartland Forward
• Coal Zoom | $1 Billion+ Per Day: How the Mississippi River Helps Grow America
• Mississippi River named the most endangered of 2025 -  Madeline Heim | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Delaney Dryfoos | The Lens 
• Healing Our Waters (HOW) - The movement is gaining steam!

Media releases - Sustain Our River

1. Community members urge lawmakers to restore river funding | La Crosse News | wxow.com
2. WISM News group-speaks-out-against-federal-cuts-related-to-mississippi-river/
3. News8000.com - Sustain Our River coverage
4. WEAU TV 13 Coverage - 
5.  The Fishing Wire - Sustain Our River - media release
6. Photos - Press release photo and Legislators and agency tou

Guest Blog by Jeff Fimreite - Lake Onalaska Rehabilitation Coalition