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The National System Wild and Scenic Rivers: River segments are classified in three categories: wild, scenic and recreational. Each category is defined by its accessibility and level of surrounding development. Wild rivers are primitive without development and are generally only accessible by trail, while recreational rivers are accessible by road or rail and may have shoreline or watershed developments. Scenic rivers fall in between. Overall, 56 rivers such as the Owyhee in Idaho and Oregon and the Sheenjek in Alaska fall exclusively into the wild category. 24 rivers fall exclusively into the scenic category, like the Pere Marquette in Michigan and Big Piney Creek in Arkansas, while 21 rivers such as the Allegheny in Pennsylvania and the Mississquoi and Trout Rivers in Vermont are considered exclusively recreational. The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act defines rivers as deserving of legal protection because they are free-flowing and possess “outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values” or outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs). What began with eight rivers has grown to include more than 12,700 miles legally- recognized wild, scenic and recreational rivers. In total, 209 rivers in 40 states and Puerto Rico are part of the National System. Photo: Craig Blacklock The states with the most Wild and Scenic River miles are: Signed into law on October 2, 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act preserves the essence of rivers that surge, ramble, gush, wander and weave. The act became law when visionary outdoor enthusiasts and Congressional sponsors championed a system of free-flowing rivers to balance national policies of extensive dam building and water diversions. This monumental act of citizens who cared about the future of American rivers--the arteries connecting communities and public lands--brought an age of invigorated understanding, restoration and respect for public safety. Wild Rivers Scenic Rivers Recreational Rivers Categories 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 Miles of designated river Oregon 1,839 miles, 57 rivers Alaska 3,210 miles, 25 rivers California 1,714 miles, 23 rivers Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Designations by Mileage

Wild, Scenic, and Re creationa l · riparian area can filter out as much as 200 pounds of nitrate runoff per year. 70% Wild and Scenic Rivers and their immediate environments possess

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Page 1: Wild, Scenic, and Re creationa l · riparian area can filter out as much as 200 pounds of nitrate runoff per year. 70% Wild and Scenic Rivers and their immediate environments possess

The National System

Wild and Scenic Rivers:

River segments are classified in three categories:wild, scenic and recreational. Each category isdefined by its accessibility and level of surroundingdevelopment. Wild rivers are primitive withoutdevelopment and are generally only accessible bytrail, while recreational rivers are accessible by roador rail and may have shoreline or watersheddevelopments. Scenic rivers fall in between. Overall,56 rivers such as the Owyhee in Idaho and Oregonand the Sheenjek in Alaska fall exclusively into thewild category. 24 rivers fall exclusively into thescenic category, like the Pere Marquette in Michiganand Big Piney Creek in Arkansas, while 21 riverssuch as the Allegheny in Pennsylvania and theMississquoi and Trout Rivers in Vermont areconsidered exclusively recreational.

The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Actdefines rivers as deserving of legalprotection because they are free-flowingand possess “outstandingly remarkablescenic, recreational, geologic, fish andwildlife, historic, cultural, or other similarvalues” or outstandingly remarkablevalues (ORVs).

What began with eight rivers has grownto include more than 12,700 miles legally-recognized wild, scenic and recreationalrivers. In total, 209 rivers in 40 states andPuerto Rico are part of the NationalSystem.

Photo: Craig Blacklock

The states with the most Wild and ScenicRiver miles are:

Signed into law on October 2, 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Wild andScenic Rivers Act preserves the essence of rivers that surge, ramble, gush, wander andweave. The act became law when visionary outdoor enthusiasts and Congressionalsponsors championed a system of free-flowing rivers to balance national policies ofextensive dam building and water diversions. This monumental act of citizens whocared about the future of American rivers--the arteries connecting communities andpublic lands--brought an age of invigorated understanding, restoration and respect forpublic safety.

Wild Rivers Scenic Rivers Recreational Rivers

Cat

egor

ies

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

Miles of designated river

Oregon 1,839 miles, 57 rivers

Alaska 3,210 miles, 25 rivers

California 1,714 miles, 23 rivers

Wild, Scenic, and RecreationalDesignations by Mileage

Page 2: Wild, Scenic, and Re creationa l · riparian area can filter out as much as 200 pounds of nitrate runoff per year. 70% Wild and Scenic Rivers and their immediate environments possess

Photo: Craig Blacklock

Today, the Act continues to protect the special character of rivers while also balancing their role in economic growth, andencourages public participation in developing effective and long-term management strategies. Concerned citizens andriver proponents collaborate with local industries on proposals like Washington’s Wild Olympics wilderness, which wouldprotect nearly 500 miles of rivers and more than 160,000 acres of land.

As water usage and construction projects increase, grassroots efforts continue to call attention to other special free-flowing rivers and the need to consider additional protections for them. The National Wild and Scenic River System’sdesign helps protect the quality of free-flowing American rivers for current and future generations.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s

Timeline (1968-2018)

Rive

rs p

er d

ecad

e

The Bureau of Land Management, Fish andWildlife Service, Forest Service and NationalPark Service manage designated rivers that flowthrough federal lands and work cooperativelywith partner organizations and stakeholders onboth federal and non-federal rivers. The Actnotably safeguards the special character ofthese rivers, while also recognizing the potentialfor their appropriate use and development. Itencourages river management that crossespolitical boundaries and promotes publicparticipation in developing goals for riverprotection.

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was enacted at a time when Americans werebecoming more environmentally aware. During the 1960s and 1970s, this changingconsciousness gave rise to national policies protecting air, water, wilderness andendangered species. The National System of Wild and Scenic Rivers, created by theAct, lists each river and the federal agency or state responsible for managingits designation protecting its associated ORVs.

52%

17%

21%

7% 3%

Bureau of Land Management Fish and Wildlife Service

Forest Service National Park Service

States

Growth of the Wild and ScenicRiver System

River-Administering Agencies

Following detailed study to determine if a riveris suitable and has the public support to beprotected, a Wild and Scenic River is generallydesignated by an act of Congress. The 1980srepresented a decade of significant growth tothe Wild and Scenic Rivers System due to thepassage of laws that designated all 25 rivers inAlaska and most rivers in Oregon. Increases inthe 1990s and 2000s resulted from state-wideriver designation bills in Michigan and Arkansas,as well as the designation of 32 new rivers underthe Omnibus Public Land Management Act of2009. The most recent addition is East RosebudCreek in Montana, designated in 2018.

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Wild and Scenic Rivers:Water Quality

Why Clean Water?

The Role of the Wild and ScenicRivers Act

Congress created a policyto "preserve...selected

rivers or sections thereofin their free-flowing

condition to protect thewater quality of such

rivers and to fulfill othervital national

conservation purposes"WSR Act, Section 1(b)

Every living thing relies on clean water. Water quality is an important indicator ofecosystem health. Historically rivers have been thelifelines of civilizations, defining our settlements,providing sustenance, and enabling life.

Both water quality and quantity along withspecial river values for wild and scenic rivers areto be protected and improved according to law.

Wild and Scenic Rivers 50th Anniversary Group

can trace their drinking water source back to a

wild and scenic river.

1 out of 10 people in the U.S.A.

Photo by CRAIG BLACKLOCK

www.wildandscenicrivers50.us

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Get Involved

of wild andscenic rivers are impaired!

58%

An InterconnectedSystem

What happens upstreammatters. Rivers are notisolated resources.Population growth,development, and pollutioncan affect your river anddrinking water. Eventhough you may not feelclose to a wild and scenicriver, you are very muchconnected to the system.

Rivers at Risk

ActionsYou CanTake

Use native plants

Pick up yourpet's poop

Dispose of greaseproperly

Wash your caron the grass

Compost yourgrass clippingsand leaves

Apply fertilizers andpesticides wisely

Designated Uses

Designated uses dictate the water quality standards for that particular waterway. These uses are determined based on how clean the water body should be to fully support the use.

All 209 wild and scenic rivers have both fishable and swimmable uses.

Here is the breakdown of the number of wild and scenic rivers with a respective designated use:

Fish Consumption

Recreation

Fish/ Wildlife

Agriculture

Drinking Water

Industrial

An impairment is when awater body does not meetthe water quality standardfor its designated use. Hereis the breakdown of thenumber of rivers with arespective impairment:

Mercury: 32Pathogens: 29Nutrients: 28Metals: 23

Temperature: 60

209

209

168

80

58

32

to avoid clogging drains

to support ecosystemfunctions

to keep bacteria outof the water

to prevent soap runoffinto streams

to reduce excess nutrients

to reduce storm waterpollution

Wild and Scenic Rivers 50th Anniversary Group

Photo by CRAIG BLACKLOCK

www.wildandscenicrivers50.us

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Wild and Scenic Rivers:Fish, Wildlife, Ecology & Botany

Why healthy riparian areas?

Did you know...

Photo by Tim Palmer

The flow of waterthrough ripariansoils regenerates

ground water.

Freshwater animalsare disappearing five

times faster thanland animals.

Estimates indicatethat 70% of the

riparian habitat in theUnited States has

been lost or altered.

80% of songbirds and50% of threatened

and endangeredspecies depend onrivers and streams.

Shade provided byriparian vegetationoptimizes the light

and temperature forfish, aquatic plants,

and resident animals.

Although riparianecosystems occupy

only 7% of thecountry, they are

more diverse and havemore plant and animalspecies than adjacent

upland areas.

To illustrate howriparian vegetation

supports water quality:One mature tree in a

riparian area can filterout as much as 200pounds of nitrate

runoff per year.

70%

Wild and Scenic Rivers and their immediateenvironments possess outstandinglyremarkable scenic, recreational, geological,fish and wildlife, historical, cultural, or othervalues that are unique or truly special.

Riparian areas are lands along rivers andother water bodies. While their appearanceand boundaries vary, their soil andvegetation are unlike their neighboring'uplands' due to the dominant influence ofnearby water.

Of the more than 200designated Wild and

Scenic Rivers, 74% areprotected for fish, 67%

for wildlife, 22% forbotany, and 17% for

ecology.

Page 6: Wild, Scenic, and Re creationa l · riparian area can filter out as much as 200 pounds of nitrate runoff per year. 70% Wild and Scenic Rivers and their immediate environments possess

Wildlife

Photo by Tim Palmer

The entire river providesoptimal summer and winterhabitat for big game fromboth sides of the Cascades,and the upper meadowssupports diverse wildlifehabitat. The northernmostbreeding population ofendangered Sandhill Cranesalso lives here.

Salmon Wild and Scenic River,Oregon

Tell me more...

Fish

The Lamprey River'sshoreline, natural floodplain,and wetlands support thelargest quantity offreshwater fish in the GreatBay watershed andnumerous freshwater musselspecies.

Lamprey Wild and ScenicRiver, New Hampshire

Botany

Hells Canyon, carved by theSnake River, is one of thedeepest and most imposingriver gorges in the West. Fewlocations equal this canyon inthe concentration andnumber of rare or endemicplant species, such as theSnake River Goldenweed,found only in the canyon andon its adjacent slopes.

Snake Wild and Scenic River,Idaho

Wild and Scenic Rivers andtheir immediateenvironments are importantfor wildlife. They provide:

-habitat -connectivity -wildlife viewing -wildlife interpretative and   educational opportunities

Wild and Scenic Rivers maybe judged by fish populations,diversity, habitat, or acombination of these river-related conditions. SomeWild and Scenic Rivers areprotected for the fish thatmake the river their home.Protection of free-flowingwater is critical to fishhabitat and life for these fish.Some Wild and Scenic Riversare integral producers ofresident or migratory fish,including federally listedspecies.

Areas near Wild and ScenicRiver corridors includeupland, riparian, and wetlandhabitats and a rich variety ofplant communities. Plants inriparian areas supportpollinator insects and seeddispersers.

Photo: Lelia MellenPhoto: Diane McAllister Photo: Oregon Deparment of Agriculture

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River Recreation & Economics

Wild and Scenic Rivers:

As a vital part of the outdoor recreation economy, rivers offer unique opportunities for Americans. Residents andvisitors alike can enjoy activities ranging from day hikes and sightseeing to floating by day and camping at night ondesignated and eligible rivers. Below are a few of the many ways to enjoy nature on Wild and Scenic Rivers.

Recreation Opportunities Along Wild and Scenic Rivers

Camping is permitted indesignated zones alongriverways, since manyWild and Scenic Riversflow through a mixture ofprivate and public lands.Many first encountersand lasting memories ofnature involve being nearwater. Without the addeddraw of the water, morethan one-third ofrecreationists woulddecrease their overalloutdoor activity.

Not only do rivers drawanimals to a plentifulsource of fresh water, butmany rivers are home tospecies that are seldomfound elsewhere.Riparian habitats boastunique communities ofspecies compared toother ecosystems andoffer vastly differentopportunities forobserving wildlife ontheir terms. Seasonedhunters know the valueof riparian habitats togame species.

Raft, canoe, kayak andother watercraft travel ispossible when rivers arefree-flowing andunobstructed by dams orother artificial barriers.Some of the most popularrivers hold annuallotteries for float trips. Inthe western UnitedStates, 11 rivers hostlotteries to distributepermits for launches. TheSelway River in Idaho isthe most exclusive ofthese lotteries. Only onepublic launch party perday is permitted duringthe season, so visitors cantruly experience this wildwilderness river.

Anglers, along withboaters, engage mostdirectly with the uniquecharacter of Wild andScenic Rivers. Riversoffer critical habitat tomany species of fish.These inhabitantsdisplay different ways ofliving and reproducing inthe water. Anglers mustadapt to the demandsand habits of eachspecies while practicinglegal and ethical fishing.For many anglers, a Wildand Scenic River isdefined by andinseparable from the fishthat populate it.

Boating

Hiking & Camping

Fishing

Wildlife Viewing &Hunting

Overall, 81% of all Wild and Scenic Rivers haverecreational value. Access to Wild and ScenicRivers is a delicate balance between ensuringenjoyment and preventing damage fromoveruse.

Management responsibilities are spreadbetween four federal agencies and their stateaffiliates. Some tribes, like the MenomineeTribe near the Wolf River in Wisconsin, are alsoinvolved in management.

Photo by Thomas O'Keefe

Photo: Zachary Collier

Photo: Bob Wick

Photo: Bob Wick

Photo: Bob Wick

Page 8: Wild, Scenic, and Re creationa l · riparian area can filter out as much as 200 pounds of nitrate runoff per year. 70% Wild and Scenic Rivers and their immediate environments possess

Outdoor RecreationEconomy

Floating on the Middle Fork Salmon Wild andScenic River draws thousands of peopleduring each annual season. The majority oflaunches take place in the middle five monthsof the year (May-September). In 2016,11,528 people floated the river on 810permits issued to the general public andcommercial outfitters. Demand dwarfsaccess granted, as 45,000 applications werefiled for less than 400 permits in 2017.

Salmon River, Middle Fork

Dollars and Cents...

EcosystemServices

Oregon  

Wild and Scenic Rivers and their immediate environments possessoutstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geological, fish andwildlife, historical, cultural, or other similar values.

Outdoor recreation is a massive and growingindustry supporting 7.6 million jobs. It saw a37% increase in annual consumer spendingfrom 2015 to 2016 from $646 billion to $887billion. River recreation accounts for up toone-third of this spending, including activitiesboth on and around waterways.

Healthy rivers serve important functionsbeyond just recreation. Humans wouldotherwise need to pay for these "ecosystemservices." Services include access to water forirrigation, water table replenishment, waterpurification in wetlands, and erosion-resistant banksides that provide floodcontrol. Nearly 84% of Wild and Scenic Riversare designated for ecosystem services andother non-recreational benefits.

Oregon has slightly more than 1,900 miles ofits total river mileage designated as Wild andScenic, spread across 59 different rivers [8].Many of these rivers are protected for theirrecreational value as well as values such ashydrology, water quality, and traditional use.Oregon also shares the Columbia River Basinwith Washington, which is estimated toprovide $198 billion annually in water,habitat, flood reduction, food production, andother benefits.

Idaho

With 22 designated Wild and Scenic Rivers,or 10.5% of all designations, Idahoencourages waterway recreation. Outdoorconsumer spending totals $7.8 billionannually, and 78,000 jobs relate in some wayto outdoor recreation. Wild and ScenicRivers contribute significantly to thesefigures by providing a strong draw for localand out-of-state visitors. 

Imnaha River

The Imnaha River, within the basin, isprotected for a wide range of values,including its role in supporting recreation,traditional living, and historic agriculturalpractices. Farming and ranching continuestoday near the water the river provides forirrigation and drinking, alongside habitat forunique plant communities.

Photo: John Webster

Photo: Bob Wick

Photo by Thomas O'Keefe

Page 9: Wild, Scenic, and Re creationa l · riparian area can filter out as much as 200 pounds of nitrate runoff per year. 70% Wild and Scenic Rivers and their immediate environments possess

Wild and Scenic Rivers: Geology and Hydrology

Geology and hydrology affect...

Geology is the study of how the Earth changes through time. Hydrology is the study of water  systems and water movement

throughout the Earth.

Over 45% of designated Wild and Scenic Rivershave outstanding geologic or hydrologic resources.These rivers display features or processes that areunique, rare, or exemplary to their regions.

They may highlight unusual landscapes,represent textbook examples of earthprocesses, or have rare combinations ofgeologic features in the river corridor.

Scenery

Ecology

Recreation

Rivers constantly rearrangelandscapes over time throughweathering and erosion.Rivers carve through rockand soil, creating amazingcanyons, gorges, and slopingmountains. The scenic valuesof these features oftencontribute to the case forWild and Scenic Riverdesignation.

When rivers flow over rocks,water mixes with air andoxygen is dissolved. Manyfish and aquatic animals relyon water with high amountsof dissolved oxygen to live.

Some fish species, likeAmerican shad, need rifflesto provide safe places fortheir young to mature.Riverbeds provide criticalhabitat for many plants andanimals, including aquaticinsects. Some of thesespecies have only been foundin designated rivers.

A river's slope and rockybottom can create rapids,making boating fun andchallenging! Rivers with highwater quality often haveexceptional recreationalfishing opportunities. Forrecreation out of the water,trails along rivers providehikers with spectacularviews.

Photo: Bureau of Land Management

Photo: Bureau of Land Management

Photo: Thomas O'Keefe

Photo: Thomas O'Keefe

Page 10: Wild, Scenic, and Re creationa l · riparian area can filter out as much as 200 pounds of nitrate runoff per year. 70% Wild and Scenic Rivers and their immediate environments possess

Wild and Scenic Rivers with outstanding geologyand hydrology

Photo: Bureau of Land Management

River Styx, OR The River Styx is the only Wild

and Scenic River that flowsentirely underground. The riverflows through a marble cave,which formed over time asgroundwater dissolved throughthe carbonate bedrock. The RiverStyx flows through a cave withmany fossils.

Fossil Creek, AZ

Fossil Creek's travertine terracescreate a series of natural damsand pools. Travertine forms whenspring water rich in calciumcarbonate deposits minerals.

Merced River, CA

The Merced River flows throughcanyons carved by glaciers, oversheer cliffs, and down steepcascades. The stretch of riverknown as “Giant Staircase”provides an outstanding exampleof a stair-step river formation.

Crooked River, OR

The Lower Crooked River basinwas created over thousands ofyears by a number of volcaniceruptions. Colorful layers ofbasalt and sedimentary rock formthe canyon walls and createincredible scenery.

Niobrara River, NE

The Niobrara River is the onlyriver in Nebraska that carvesdown into the bedrock.Springwater falls down steepriverbanks; a rare sight in thisregion. A mix of geology, soil, andterrain types helps support thediverse ecology within the rivercorridor.

Upper Delaware River,PA & NY

The Upper Delaware River’ssteep and narrow valley wasformed over thousands of yearsas water cut through ancientglacial sediments. At SkinnersFalls, exposed bedrock createsrapids that are popular with riverusers.

Photo: National Park Service

Photo: Bob Wick 

Photo: Kelleen Lanagan 

Photo: Kristen Maxfield

Photo: Thomas O'Keefe 

Photo: Tim Palmer

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Did you know...

Photo by Craig Blacklock

Wild and Scenic Rivers: History, Culture, and Paleontology

Cultural, historic, and paleontological resources found along certain Wildand Scenic Rivers tell stories about our human and Earth’s evolutionarypast. While over 31% of Wild and Scenic Rivers have outstanding culturalresources, paleontological features are much rarer.

Our Human Past We can learn a lot about the people that lived along rivers based on what they left behind. These

cultural resources are important to understanding the different uses of rivers. Some examples ofcultural and historic resources include structures, artifacts, and evidence of important historicevents and past land use.

Rivers with Outstanding Cultural Values

Photo: National Park Service Riegel Collection 

St. Croix River, MN & WI

People have lived along the St.Croix River for more than12,000 years. NativeAmericans harvested wild riceand fish from the river, andlater settlers used the St. Croixto transport timber, furs, andother goods. Starting in the1800s, river recreationincreased in popularity.Conservation efforts started inthe 1890s when nearby stateparks were created.

Rio Icacos, Puerto Rico Pre-1490 petroglyphs as well as ceramic shards

from the time of Spanish occupation have beenfound along the Rio Icacos. In the 1930s, theCivilian Conservation Corps built trails, bridges,and other structures around the river.

Photo: Tim Palmer 

Arrowheads, tools, and carvings came from thepeople that crossed into North America from Asiathousands of years ago. Groups living in the areafished for salmon and used other resources of theriver valley. Today, Native Alaskan tribes still usesalmon from the Noatak as a primary food source.

Noatak River, AK

Photo: Freshwaters Illustrated

Photo: Tim Palmer 

Historic settlements built along Wilson Creekwere part of the logging industry. In the 1930sand 1940s, the town of Mortimore hosted theCamp Grandfather Mountain CivilianConservation Corps.

Wilson Creek, NC

Upper Delaware River, PA & NY The Roebling Bridge opened in 1849 as an

aqueduct for canal boats to cross the DelawareRiver. Later, the bridge was restored for vehiclesand pedestrians. Today, the Roebling Bridgeremains one of the oldest surviving suspensionbridges. It was designed by John Roebling who isbest known for his design of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Photo: National Park Service

Page 12: Wild, Scenic, and Re creationa l · riparian area can filter out as much as 200 pounds of nitrate runoff per year. 70% Wild and Scenic Rivers and their immediate environments possess

Photo by Craig Blacklock

Sudbury, Assabet, andConcord Rivers, MA

Wild and Scenic Rivers: History, Culture, and Paleontology

Earth's Evolutionary Past

Paleontology is the study of fossilized plants and animals. Fossils help us understand the history oflife on Earth. A few Wild and Scenic Rivers have remarkable fossils that tell the story about lifemillions of years ago.

John Day River, OR

The Sudbury, Assabet, and ConcordRivers are important in Americanhistory and literature. The firstbattle of the Revolutionary Wartook place on the Old North Bridgein Concord. In the 1800s, the threerivers were featured in the works offamous authors includingHawthorne, Emerson, and Thoreau. 

Niobrara River, NE The rocks around the John Day River are a chronology of life

over the last 44 million years. This area is rich with plant andanimal fossils including the remains of palm and banana treesas well as crocodiles, early horses, and rodents. Many fossils areon display at the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center.

Fossils around the Niobrara River that are between 2 millionand 23 million years old help scientists understand the historyof the Great Plains. Mastodons and North American rhinos(fossil shown above) are just two amazing species whose fossilsare found here.

Rivers with Outstanding Paleontology

Photo: National Park Service

Photo: OARS

Photo: Bureau of Land Management

Over time, humans changed the way they usedthe Verde River floodplains. The oldest sites wereused by hunter-gatherer societies thousands ofyears ago. Other sites show evidence of groupsthat raised and drove livestock through the area.

Verde River, AZ

Photo: Tim Palmer 

Canyons surrounding the Owyhee River gaveshelter to the Shoshone and Paiute tribes.Petroglyphs and shrines give insights into theiruses of the river. Members of these tribes still usethe area for hunting, fishing, praying, andceremonies.

Owyhee River, ID & OR

Photo: Bureau of Land Management

Page 13: Wild, Scenic, and Re creationa l · riparian area can filter out as much as 200 pounds of nitrate runoff per year. 70% Wild and Scenic Rivers and their immediate environments possess

Photo: Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management

Wild and Scenic Rivers: Health and Safety

Healthy Water andHealthy People

65% of our nation’s drinking water comesfrom rivers and streams. Toxins thatcontaminate water can harm the humanbody, meaning that good health starts withgood water chemistry.

Get Active!

Exercise helps prevent and alleviate health issues includingobesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Recreating onand near rivers increases physical activity in the outdoors,which can help your body process vitamin D and produceendorphins—a hormone that makes you feel good.Paddling, in particular, is a low impact form of exercise forupper or whole body. River recreation is also a refreshingand proven way to relax, and recreating with others canimprove social health by providing opportunities to buildlong-lasting friendships and engage in team building.

Photo: National Park Service

Photo: Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management

Photo:  Kelleen Lanagan

Many plants and some animals, such asfreshwater mussels, can filter water byremoving harmful chemical compounds.Since humans need assistance making surethe water we ingest is clean, protect yourown health by understanding theecosystems responsible for your cleanwater and helping your local watershedgroup clean up litter and remove waterpollutants.

Rivers, lakes and oceans—our blue spaces—benefit our physical and mental well-being. We rely on rivers forclean drinking water and as places of spiritual rejuvenation. Blue spaces have historically been used for healing.Even the sound of moving water can have a calming and restoring effect on the mind. Whether you arelooking for a peaceful picnic spot by a babbling brook, a scenic river-front hike, or a place to paddle, you can findactivities along Wild and Scenic Rivers that contribute to your good health.

Health

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Photo: Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management

Wild and Scenic Rivers:Health and Safety

Rivers are powerful forces in nature and demand respect. Drownings have accounted for the most fatalities inNational Parks between 2007 and 2013, and most of those occurred in rivers. Rivers have strong currents thatcan be very dangerous, even for skilled swimmers. Before you get out on a river, make sure you take theappropriate actions.

Plan Your Trip

For more general trip planning tips look up"Trip Planning Guide" and "Water SafetyArticle" on nps.gov.

Always Wear a Life Jacket

Life jackets are essential for any kind of river recreation. Makesure you are wearing the appropriate life jacket for the activity youare doing. Whether you are boating, swimming, fishing, wading,tubing, or participating in an activity on the river or along riverbanks, wearing a properly-fitted life jacket can save your life. 

Pick the Right Life Jacket. It should be: Approved by the U.S. Coast Guard (check the label).

In good condition.  Does it float? Get a new one if it has tears,missing straps, broken buckle or zippers, etc.

The right type of life jacket for your activity. The right size for you.

Life jacket images: National Safe Boating Council

Safety

Check in with a Park Ranger and ask aboutriver and weather conditions, park alerts andclosures.

Check your food, water and equipment andthat everyone has a life jacket.

Put Plan B into action if necessary.

When You Arrive:

Know Before You Go:  Visit the park's website to learn about the

river including river conditions, potentialhazards (e.g. underwater terrain) and allowedwater activities.

Know your limits and pick an appropriateactivity for your group's size and ability.

Check that everyone has a U.S. Coast Guardapproved life jacket and that each person'slife jacket fits properly.

Develop a Plan B in case things change andyou can't do your planned activity.

Complete and share your Trip Plan withsomeone who is not going on the trip.

Develop a plan of action so you know what todo if there is an emergency (e.g. you gooverboard, your boat flips, hazardous riverconditions).

Always wear your life jacket! Stick to your intended route.

Keep an eye on environmental changes(weather, wildlife, water conditions etc) andyour group to assess if you should continueyour trip or turn back.

On the River:

Test the Fit of the Life Jacket:

Fasten and secure all of the strapsand raise your arms.

Your vest should stay and not rideup.

Have someone lift the jacket up atyour shoulders; it should not move.

Life jacket withharness and handlesfor pets

Inflatable belt packfor stand uppaddlers

Life jacket for children

Life jacket for personalwater crafts and watersports

Inflatable vest foranglers and open motorboats