A new report from American Rivers names the Suwannee River as the 10th "most endangered" river in the nation because of nitrate pollution and over-pumping of groundwater. The Suwannee is one of the Southeast’s last great free-flowing rivers, starting in the Okefenokee Swamp and winding through Georgia before crossing into Florida.

Peter Raabe, Southeast regional director for American Rivers, said the threats upstream have consequences for the entire river system.

"It is not being able to serve all the purposes that it should be," he said. "And so, because of some of the pollution that is going in there and some of the water management issues, we're starting to see impacts to the health of the river."

The Suwannee is fed by more than 300 freshwater springs, but excessive levels of nitrates, largely from fertilizer and livestock waste, are fueling algae blooms and threatening drinking water.

Raabe said the river is a rare gem, but its protections are failing. He explained what makes the Suwannee so special – and why Georgians should care.

"The Suwannee is really unique," he said. "Whether it's from its headwaters up in Georgia coming out of the Okefenokee Swamp and/or flowing all the way down to the Gulf, you're talking about a river that is free-flowing, where it doesn't have any dams, and that's so rare. I think it's 171 miles of free-flowing river, and that is something that not a lot of communities get to have that sort of a benefit."

Despite its status as an Outstanding Florida Water once it crosses the state line, the Suwannee and its springs face rising pollution and weakening flows. The report finds that Florida has failed to enforce existing cleanup plans, but Georgia also plays a critical role as the steward of the river’s headwaters. Georgia's regional water plan calls for management practices such as water conservation and addressing non-point source pollution.

Conservation groups are urging both states to invest in agricultural best-management practices, wastewater upgrades and groundwater monitoring to protect the river before it’s too late.

Source: Public News Service