Water Quality in America

Clean Water

Water Quality in America

Our volunteer stream guardians are working across America to check the health of the rivers, lakes, and bays we love. In every region, they're finding many of the same problems: nutrient pollution, sediment, invasive species. Each region also has unique challenges.

Click on your region to learn more about water quality where you live, threats to clean water in your area, and how you can take action to protect and restore healthy waterways in your community.

Chesapeake Bay

The Chesapeake Bay, our nation's largest estuary, is fed by rivers and streams from six states – Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as Washington DC. We're working to protect this vibrant region.

Virginia

From the DC metro region to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Tidewater, Virginia's waterways face a variety of challenges. We're working closely with partners in the region to improve water quality monitoring and take action to address threats to clean water.

Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are the largest source of freshwater on our planet. They provide critical resources and recreation opportunities for people in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Learn more about how you can help us protect and restore this national treasure.

Upper Mississippi River

The upper segment of the Mississippi River – which winds its way down the borders of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri – is a fascinatingly complex and dynamic environment. The League is working to restore this vital resource while promoting sustainable agriculture in the region.

Iowa

100% of Iowa sits between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, and 85% of it is farms. Iowa leads the nation in production of corn, hogs, and eggs. This intensive use of the land comes at a cost to water quality, soil health, and wildlife habitat. Fortunately, Iowa also has a long history of active water quality monitoring by volunteers all over the state.

Missouri River

The "Mighty Mo," America's longest river, flows past communities in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri – plus it receives water from Wyoming, Colorado, and Minnesota. The League is working with partners all along the river to make sure this amazing waterway stays healthy.

Learn about threats to water quality in America

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Izaak Walton League of America

Clean Water