"A conservation group on Wednesday named the Mississippi River the “most endangered river of 2025,” citing threats to abolish the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which plays a key role in federal flood management.

American Rivers, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group, said the Mississippi River in recent years has faced “increasingly frequent and severe floods,” which have damaged homes and businesses and worsened the health of the river, which provides drinking water for 20 million people.

The organization said the federal government plays a key role in protecting the river and helping homeowners prepare for, and rebuild after, major flooding.

Amid concerns about further layoffs at FEMA and as government officials — including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who oversees FEMA — threaten to abolish the agency, the conservation group said the risk to the Mississippi River is exceptionally high."

Sarah Fortinsky reports for The Hill April 16, 2025. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2025" (American Rivers) [3]