Waterways

View of river in Washington State surrounded by lush forest.

GAO: Washington State Slow on Clean Water Reporting

The Clean Water Act mandates reporting of ‘impaired waters’ to support conservation and restoration efforts.

December 19, 2023 - High Country News

Aerial view of Eel River running through California forest

The Nation’s Most Endangered Rivers

An annual list from American Rivers highlights the waterways most at risk from climate change, poor water management, pollution, and other dangers.

April 19, 2023 - American Rivers

A river runs blue through the red rocks of the desert.

Fifty Years After the Clean Water Act, Half of U.S. Waters Are Unsafe for Humans and Fish

A study of U.S. waterways shows that around half of lakes, rivers, and streams in the U.S. are too toxic to swim or fish in.

March 28, 2022 - High Country News

Klamath River

Biden Administration Seeks More Protection for Wetlands

In a reversal from Trump-era policy, the Biden administration wants to reinstate protections that prevent the contamination of streams and waterways.

June 27, 2021 - The Washington Post

Bay Area Wetlands

EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Propose Revision of Wetlands Definition

Fulfilling a promise he made as a candidate, the Trump administration proposed a redefinition of what is classified as a wetland, with the result being the loss of federal protection of millions of acres of waterways and wetlands.

December 14, 2018 - NPR

Biosolids Treatment Plant

The Sorry State of Environmental Enforcement in Texas

Industry is "routinely violating" clean water laws, but both state and federal regulators seem to be looking the other way.

March 20, 2018 - The Texas Observer

Bighorn Sheep

The 'Wide-Ranging Ecological Downside' of Road Salt

A study from the USGS using five decades of data shows salinity and alkalinity are up in waterways across the United States.

January 17, 2018 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Highway Construction

Trump Ends Infrastructure Week by Streamlining the Permitting Process

President Trump made a compelling case for reducing the length of time needed to construct major infrastructure projects to justify the creation of a new White House council to streamline permitting. Only one problem: it already exists.

June 11, 2017 - U.S. News & World Report

Lower Colorado River

America's 'Most Endangered Rivers' Face New Threats in 2017

The American Rivers advocacy group has released its annual report on the country's most endangered rivers, paying special attention to the threats posed to the country's waterways in new federal policies and budget plans.

April 12, 2017 - American Rivers

Louisville Provides a Case Study for Sewage Clean Up

The Courier-Journal is launching a series of reports on the city of Louisville's ongoing work to clean up its sewer system.

October 23, 2016 - Courier-Journal

'Most Endangered River' in the United States: the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon

American Rivers' list of the "Most Endangered" U.S. rivers provides an annual reminder of the abuse waterways bear in the name of the country's economy and culture.

April 7, 2015 - American Rivers

Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 Signed into Law

President Obama has signed "a bipartisan $12.3 billion water bill that will help improve harbors, waterways, levees, and ecosystems across the United States," according to an article by Adie Tomer and Joseph Kane.

June 10, 2014 - Brookings: The Avenue

Critical Water Bill Passes Senate, Awaits President's Signature

After passing the House earlier on a 412-4 vote, the Senate voted 91-7 on May 22 to pass a $12.3 billion water infrastructure bill known as Water Resources Reform and Development Act. It had been seven years since the act was last reauthorized.

May 26, 2014 - The Hill

Waterways Infrastructure Bill: Prelude to Highway Bill Agreement?

Last Thursday, House and Senate leaders announced agreement on an $8.2 billion waterways infrastructure bill, and if they have their way, it won't be their last major agreement. On Monday, a successor highway bill (to MAP-21) will be released.

May 13, 2014 - The Hill

Brooklyn Bridge Beach

Architecture + Urbanism: Both/And, Not Either/Or

Looking at the trend toward interdisciplinary design practice through the work of WXY Architecture + Urban Design.

April 3, 2014 - Anna Bergren Miller

America's Most Endangered Waterways

In time for Earth Day, American Rivers has released its annual list of the country's most threatened rivers. Topping this year's list is the Colorado River, a waterway so dammed, diverted and over-tapped that it ultimately "dries to a trickle."

April 22, 2013 - Take Part

Can Urban Waterways Become the Next Great Public Spaces?

Cities across America have been revitalizing their waterfronts for decades with new parks and development replacing heavy industry. But, a new breed of advocates is going one step further, and pushing for a time when people can just jump right in.

September 17, 2012 - Salon

A Little Bit of Venice in New Orleans

The waters that have for so long plagued New Orleans should be reconsidered as an amenity, not a curse, according to this commentary.

September 3, 2010 - Bloomberg

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.