18-04-2025
Gauley River named one of the country's most endangered rivers
(WBOY) — West Virginia's Gauley River was recently named the 10th most endangered river in the United States by American Rivers, a clean water advocacy group.
American Rivers puts out yearly lists of the country's most threatened rivers, but this is the third time in a row that a West Virginia river has made it onto the list; the Blackwater River was included in 2024 due to the possible impact Corridor H construction could have on the area, and the Ohio River was included in 2023 due to pollution and discharges of toxic chemicals.
This year, the Gauley River was included due to a South Fork Coal Company mine operation that American Rivers has said poses a significant threat to water quality in the area.
'Since 2019, the company has released heavy metals and sediment — exceeding legal limits by up to 900 percent — into the Cherry River on at least 80 documented occasions,' the report says. 'In addition, the company is trucking over 100,000 tons of coal annually from the more than 1,100-acre Rocky Run Surface Mine across the Monongahela National Forest each year — an action that plainly violates federal law.'
The Rocky Run Surface Mine is located in the southern part of the Monongahela National Forest, which is technically outlawed by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, and American Rivers has said the mine doesn't have the rights necessary to operate in the area.
For the full report on all 10 rivers highlighted in 2025, you can visit the American Rivers website here.
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