Where is the dirtiest river in the United States?

Although none of the rivers in the U.S. rank among the most polluted in the world, the Ohio River continues to top the list as the most polluted river in the U.S. based on toxic releases from the industrial sector. However, many other U.S. rivers are also experiencing similar environmental hazards from toxic materials.



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The Mississippi River This once pristine waterway is perhaps the most polluted in the United States. Part of the problem stems from agriculture. The Mississippi River traverses much of America's heartland, drawing no end of runoff from factory farms. Animal waste isn't the only problem.

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The 5 Most Polluted Rivers in the US
  • The Ohio River. Manufacturers design steel-hulled boats to last for 20 years or more. ...
  • New River. The trouble at the U.S. southern border involves more than immigration. ...
  • The Mississippi River. ...
  • The Cuyahoga River. ...
  • The Delaware River.


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The cleanest river in the United States is the Chattahoochee River. This river starts in the mountains of north Georgia and flows through the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Chattahoochee is one of the few rivers in the country that is still safe to swim in and fish in.

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According to The Guardian, the Citarum River in Indonesia is so polluted that before you see it, you will smell it.

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The Colorado River is drying up due to a combination of chronic overuse of water resources and a historic drought. The dry period has lasted more than two decades, spurred by a warming climate primarily due to humans burning fossil fuels.

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The most polluted lake in the United States is Onondaga Lake in Central New York. It's not only one of the most polluted lakes in the country but also ranks among the most polluted lakes in the world.

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The Thames is considered to be the cleanest river in the world that flows through a major city. The Thames is home to 125 species of fish and more than 400 invertebrates.

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Tara River, Europe Also known as the Jewel of Europe, Tara flows through the Balkan nations of Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina. One of the cleanest rivers in the world, it is a UNESCO protected river under the World's Natural Heritage and the World's Biosphere Reserve.

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The New River, which flows through both West Virginia and Virginia, is not as new as its name portrays. According to the National Parks Conservation Association, the New River is estimated to be anywhere from 260 to 375 million years old. This makes the New River the oldest river in North America.

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