Oregon Public Broadcasting

A national conservation group Tuesday ranked the Lower Snake River number 3 among the most endangered rivers in the country.

American Rivers says the four dams on the Lower Snake have damaged fish restoration in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Environmentalists have sued to stop the operation of the Snake River dams. A decision is expected this year.

Rebecca Wodder is the president of the environmental lobbying group.

She says the Most Endangered Rivers list is not a scientific one.

Rebecca Wodder: “The word ‘endangered’ here doesn’t necessarily have the same meaning as ‘endangered’ species does. What we mean is that it’s a river that is in danger. There is an immediate decision that’s going to be made, either for the better or for the worse.”

For instance, the Klamath River appeared on the list multiple times, but was not named this year.

American Rivers staff say they are “relatively positive” about the current deal that may remove a series of dams from the Klamath.

The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta was listed as the most endangered waterway this year.