February 27, 2026
Your weekly briefing on what’s happening in the world’s rivers and reefs.
River
Environmental Groups Warn of Impacts After Colorado River Deadline Miss: Seven basin states blew past the February 14 deadline for voluntary cuts, leaving federal intervention looming. Lake Powell could lose hydropower and Grand Canyon flows suffer. Southwest boaters and farmers are on edge. (KSJD / American Rivers)
Potomac Sewage Spill Plagues River Through Summer: The rock blockage delaying cleanup means sewage overflows may linger into peak rec season, with E. coli levels still unsafe. D.C. rowers and anglers face extended bans. Infrastructure reckoning time. (Washington Times)
Vast Majority of US Rivers Lack Protections: A new map shows 64% of American rivers unprotected from dams, pollution, and development. Is yourputting drinking water for 110 million at risk. Your backyard stream might be wide open. (Phys.org)
Sturgeon outlived dinosaurs but modern conditions threaten them. Columbia River adult white sturgeon population hits record low . The drop is due to low reproduction, dams, and bycatch. These massive “living fossils” (20ft, 1,500lbs) face extinction without urgent fixes. (ODFW/WDFW Joint Report)
Elsewhere, sturgeons are recovering.
Reef
NOAA Trains Divers as Iconic Reef Guardians in Florida Keys: New program recruits snorkelers to monitor and outplant corals at seven “iconic” sites — hands-on way to fight decline while enjoying the Keys. Citizen science meets dive vacation. (NOAA Sanctuaries)
US Accelerating Pacific Coral Collapse, Scientists Warn: ESA rollbacks and military expansion leave Hawaii and American Samoa reefs more vulnerable to heatwaves — Pacific divers see faster degradation. Policy choices matter. (Inside Climate News)
Florida’s Reef Highly Valued but Highly Impacted: Runoff and warming erode the reef fueling billions in tourism, but this economic engine needs protection. Keys visitors notice fewer fish and colors fading. (National Parks Traveler)
Sustainable Travel
River Travel Surge 2026: US Waterways Boom: American rivers draw record eco-cruisers for wildlife and slow adventures. Sustainable operators fund conservation amid the boom. (Travel and Tour World)
Video of the Week
Mission: Iconic Reefs . A quick look at NOAA’s Florida Keys coral outplanting.
What did we miss? Share your news items for the week in the Comments.
