Overview

• American Rivers has named the Mississippi River the most endangered river of 2025, citing escalating threats from extreme weather, pollution, and outdated water management practices.
• The proposed dismantling of FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program is raising alarm over the future of flood protection and disaster response along the river's 2,320-mile stretch.
• FEMA plays a pivotal role in flood mitigation, disaster recovery, and maintaining infrastructure that safeguards communities and ecosystems dependent on the Mississippi River.
• Environmental advocates warn that federal deregulation efforts and FEMA layoffs could exacerbate long-standing issues, including toxic runoff, wetland loss, and saltwater intrusion.
• The Mississippi River supports drinking water for 20 million people, provides critical habitat for wildlife, and serves as an economic artery for 10 states, underscoring the broad implications of these policy shifts.