National Wild and Scenic River System | Rivers.gov (2024)

Public Law 90-542 (Original Wild and Scenic Rivers Act)

The original legislation. It protected the first 8 rivers (Clearwater, Eleven Point, Feather, Rio Grande, Rogue, St. Croix, Salmon (Idaho), and Wolf), and identified 27 additional rivers for study—Allegheny (Pennsylvania); Bruneau, Moyie, Priest, St. Joe, Salmon (Idaho), Buffalo (Tennessee); Chattooga (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina); Clarion (Pennsylvania); Delaware (New York, Pennsylvania); Flathead (Montana); Gasconade (Missouri); Illinois (Oregon); Little Beaver Creek, Little Miami (Ohio); Maumee (Indiana, Ohio); Missouri (Montana); Obed (Tennssee); Penobscot (Maine); Pere Marquette, Pine (Michigan); Rio Grande (Texas); St. Croix (Minnesota, Wisconsin); Skagit (Washington); Suwannee (Florida, Georgia); Upper Iowa (Iowa); and Youghiogheny (Maryland).

Secretarial Designation - Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Maine

Designated the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in Maine through Section 2(a)(ii).

Public Law 92-560 (Lower Saint Croix River Act)

Designated the lower St. Croix River in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Secretarial Designation - Little Miami River, Ohio

Designated the Little Miami River in Ohio through Section 2(a)(ii).

Public Law 93-279

Designated the Chattooga River in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Public Law 94-199

Designated the Rapid River (Idaho) and Snake River (Oregon and Idaho), and added additional segments of the Snake River for study.

Secretarial Designation - New River, North Carolina

Designated the New River in North Carolina through Section 2(a)(ii).

Public Law 94-486

Designated the Flathead River (Montana), Missouri River (Montana), and Obed River (Tennessee). Added the Housatonic River for study. Clarified the Feather River (California) designation and the Piedra River (Colorado) study.

Secretarial Designation - Saint Croix River, Minnesota and Wisconsin

Designated the lower St. Croix River in Minnesota and Wisconsin through Section 2(a)(ii).

Secretarial Designation - Little Beaver Creek, Ohio

Designated the Little Beaver River in Ohio through Section 2(a)(ii).

Public Law 95-625

Designated the Pere Marquette River (Michigan), Rio Grande (Texas), Skagit River (Washington), Middle and Upper Delaware (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania), North Fork of the American River (California), additional segment of the Missouri River (Nebraska, South Dakota), and St. Joe River (Idaho). Added for study the Kern River (California); Loxahatchee and Myakka Rivers (Florida); Ogeechee River (Georgia); Salt, San Francisco, Verde Rivers (Arizona); Fish Creek (New York); Black Creek (Mississippi); Allegheny (Pennsylvania); Bluestone, Cacapon, Gauley, and Greenbrier Rivers (West Virginia); Escatawpa River (Alabama, Mississippi); Soldier Creek (Alabama); and Red River (Kentucky). Made several technical amendments to the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act.

Public Law 96-312 (Central Idaho Wilderness Act of 1980)

Designated the Salmon River in Idaho.

Public Law 96-487 (Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act)

Designated Alagnak, Alatna, Andreafsky, Aniakchak, Beaver Creek, Birch Creek, Charley, Chilikadrotna, Delta, Fortymile, Gulkana, Ivishak, John, Kobuk, Mulchatna, Noatak, North Fork Koyukuk, Nowitna, Salmon, Selawik, Sheenjek, Tinayguk, Tlikakila, Unalakleet, and Wind. Added the Colville, Etivluk-Nigu, Kanektok, Kisaralik, Koyuk, Melozitna, Porcupine, Sheenjek, Situk, Squirrel, Utukok, and Yukon for study. Set special provisions for Alaska (e.g., acres per mile within boundaries).

Secretarial Designation - American, Eel, Klamath, Smith, and Trinity Rivers, California

Designated the American, Eel, Klamath, Smith, and Trinity Rivers in California through Section 2(a)(ii).

Secretarial Designation - Little Miami River, Ohio (Additional Segment)

Designated an additional segment of the Little Miami River in Ohio through Section 2(a)(ii).

Public Law 98-494

Designated the Illinois and Owyhee Rivers (Oregon); added the North Umpqua River (Oregon) for study.

Public Law 98-425

Designated the Tuolumne River (California).

Public Law 98-444

Designated Au Sable River (Michigan); allowed lamprey control structures on the Pere Marquette River (Michigan).

Public Law 98-406

Designated the Verde River (Arizona).

Secretarial Designation - Loxahatchee River, Florida

Designated the Loxahatchee River in Florida through Section 2(a)(ii).

Public Law 99-663

Designated Klickitat and White Salmon Rivers (Washington); added the Klickitat and White Salmon Rivers (Washington) for study.

Public Law 99-530

Designated the Horsepasture River (North Carolina).

Public Law 99-590

Designated the Cache la Poudre River (Colorado), Saline Bayou (Louisiana), and Black Creek (Mississippi); added Farmington (Connecticut) and Great Egg Harbor (New Jersey) for study; made technical amendments.

Public Law 100-150

Designated the Kings River in California.

Public Law 100-174

Designated the Kern River in California.

Public Law 100-149

Designated Merced River and added other parts of the Merced River (California) for study.

Public Law 100-534 (West Virginia National Interest River Conservation Act)

Designated the Bluestone River in West Virginia; made technical amendments on acreages.

Public Law 100-557 (Omnibus Oregon Wild and Scenic Rivers Act)

Designated numerous Oregon rivers—Big Marsh Creek, Chetco, Clackamas, Crescent Creek, Crooked, Deschutes, Donner und Blitzen, Eagle Creek, Elk, Grande Ronde, Imnaha, John Day, Joseph Creek, Little Deschutes, Lostine, Malheur, McKenzie, Metolius, Minam, North Fork Crooked, North Fork John Day, North Fork Malheur, North Fork of the Middle Fork Willamette, North Fork Owyhee, North Fork Smith, North Fork Sprague, North Powder, North Umpqua, Powder, Quartzville Creek, Roaring, Salmon, Sandy, South Fork John Day, Sycan, Upper Rogue, Wenaha, West Little Owyhee, White, and Whychus Creek. Added the Blue, Chewaucan, North Fork Malheur, South Fork McKenzie, Steamboat Creek, and Wallowa for study; and added the Klamath River in Oregon for study under Section 2(a)(ii).

Public Law 100-547 (Sipsey Wild and Scenic River and Alabama Addition Act)

Designated the Sipsey Fork of the West Fork River in Alabama.

Public Law 100-633

Designated the Rio Chama in New Mexico.

Public Law 100-554

Designated the Wildcat River in New Hampshire.

Secretarial Designation - Vermilion River, Illinois

Designated the Vermilion River in Illinois through Section 2(a)(ii).

Public Law 101-628 (Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and Scenic River Study Act)

Designated the Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone River in Wyoming; added the Sudbury, Assebet and Concrod Rivers (Massachusetts) for study.

Public Law 101-306

Designated the Jemez and Pecos Rivers in New Mexico.

Public Law 101-612 (Smith River National Recreation Area Act)

Designated the Smith River in California.

Public Law 102-50 (Niobrara Scenic River Designation Act)

Designated Niobrara and Missouri Rivers (Nebraska and South Dakota); added the Niobrara River for study; made technical amendments to the Missouri River designation.

Public Law 102-432

Designated the Merced River in California; added the North Fork Merced River for study.

Public Law 102-275 (Arkansas Wild and Scenic Rivers Act)

Designated numerous Arkansas rivers—Big Piney Creek, Buffalo, Cossatot, Hurricane Creek, Little Missouri, Mulberry, North Sylamore Creek, and Richland Creek.

Public Law 102-249 (Michigan Scenic Rivers Act)

Designated numerous Michigan rivers—Bear Creek, Black, Carp, East Branch Tahquamenon, Indian, Manistee, Ontonagon, Paint, Pine, Presque Isle, Sturgeon (Hiawatha National Forest), Sturgeon (Ottawa National Forest), Whitefish, and Yellow Dog. Added the Brule (including Wisconsin), Carp, Little Manistee, Ontonagon, Paint, Presque Isle, Sturgeon (Hiawatha National Forest), Sturgeon (Ottawa National Forest), Tahquamenon, White, and Whitefish for study.

Public Law 102-301 (Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act)

California: Designated Sespe, Sisquoc and Big Sur Rivers; Added Piru, Little Sur, Matilija, and Lopez Rivers, and Sespe Creek for study.

Public Law 102-271

Designated the Allegheny River in Pennsylvania; added the Clarion River and Mill Creek in Pennsylvania for study.

Public Law 102-536

Designated the Great Egg Harbor River in New Jersey.

Public Law 103-162

Designated the Maurice River in New Jersey.

Public Law 103-170 (Red River Designation Act)

Designated the Red River in Kentucky.

Secretarial Designation - Westfield River, Massachusetts

Designated the Westfield River in Massachusetts through Section 2(a)(ii).

Public Law 103-242 (Rio Grande Designation Act)

Designated the Rio Grande in New Mexico; added the Rio Grande for study.

Secretarial Designation - Klamath River, Oregon

Designated the Klamath River in Oregon through Section 2(a)(ii).

Public Law 103-313 (Farmington Wild and Scenic River Act)

Designated the Farmington River in Connecticut.

Designated Big & Little Darby Creeks in Ohio through Section 2(a)(ii).

Secretarial Designation - Cossatot River, Arkansas

Designated the Cossatot River in Arkansas through Section 2(a)(ii).

Public Law 104-314

Designated the Clarion River in Pennsylvania.

Secretarial Designation - Wallowa River, Oregon

Designated the Wallowa River in Oregon through Section 2(a)(ii).

Public Law 104-333

Designated the Lamprey River in New Hampshire; put Hanford Reach (Columbia River, Washington) in permanent study status; adjusted Bluestone River (West Virginia) boundaries; made technical amendments.

Public Law 104-208

Designated Elkhorn Creek in Oregon.

Secretarial Designation - Lumber River, North Carolina

Designated the Lumber River in North Carolina through Section 2(a)(ii).

Public Law 106-20 (Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and Scenic River Act)

Designated the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rivers in Massachusetts.

Public Law 106-192 (Lamprey Wild and Scenic River Extension Act)

Designated an additional segment of the Lamprey River in New Hampshire.

Public Law 106-399

Designated Donner und Blitzen River and Wildhorse and Kiger Creeks in Oregon.

Public Law 106-299 (Wekiva Wild and Scenic River Act)

Designated the Wekiva River in Florida.

Public Law 106-418 (Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic Rivers Act)

Designated the lower Delaware River in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Public Law 106-357 (White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic Rivers System Act)

Designated White Clay Creek in Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Public Law 106-261

Designated Wilson Creek in North Carolina.

Public Law 107-365 (Caribbean National Forest Wild and Scenic Rivers Act)

Designated the Rio Icacos, Rio de la Mina, and Rio Mameyes in Puerto Rico.

Secretarial Designation - Westfield River, Massachusetts

Designated an additional segment of the Westfield River in Massachusetts through Section 2(a)(ii).

Public Law 109-44 (Upper White Salmon Wild and Scenic Rivers Act)

Designated the White Salmon River in Washington.

Public Law 109-452 (Musconetcong Wild and Scenic Rivers Act)

Designated the Musconetcong River in New Jersey and allowed for a community vote on another segment of the river (see the 2022 Federal Register notice).

Public Law 109-362

Designated the Black Butte River in California.

Public Law 110-229

Designated the Eightmile River in Connecticut.

Public Law 111-11

Designated the South Fork Clackamas, Eagle Creek, Middle Fork Hood, South Fork Roaring, Zig Zag, Fifteenmile Creek, East Fork Hood, Collawash, and Fish Creek in Oregon; designated Battle Creek, Big Jacks Creek, West Fork Bruneau, Cottonwood Creek, Deep Creek, Jarbidge, Little Jacks Creek, North Fork Owyhee, South Fork Owyhee, Red Canyon, Sheep Creek, and Wickahoney Creek in Idaho; designated Amargosa, Owens Headwaters, Cottonwood Creek, Piru Creek, North Fork San Jacinto, Fuller Mill Creek, Palm Canyon Creek, and Bautista Creek in California; also designated the Virgin River (Utah), Fossil Creek (Arizona), Snake River Headwaters (Wyoming) and Taunton River (Massachusetts); Added to Elk and Owyhee River designations in Oregon; added the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers (Massachusetts) for study.

Public Law 113-291

Designated Cave Creek (River Styx), Middle Fork Snoqualmie, Pratt, and Illabot Creek in Washington; designated Mississquoi & Trout in Vermont; added to the White Clay Creek (Delaware ann Pennsylvania) designation; added Cave Creek, Lake Creek, No Name Creek, Panther Creek, and Upper Cave Creek in Oregon for study; also added for study Beaver, Chipuxet, Queen, Wood, Pawcatuck, Nashua, Squannacook, Nissitissit and York Rivers.

Public Law 115-229 (East Rosebud Wild and Scenic Rivers Act)

Designated East Rosebud Creek in Montana.

Public Law 116-9

Added Elk Creek, Franklin Creek, Lobster Creek, Molalla River, Nestucca River, North Fork Silver Creek, Spring Creek, Walker Creek, and Wasson Creek (Oregon); Farmington River & Salmon Brook (Connecticut); Wood-Pawcatuck River System (Connecticut/Rhode Island); Nashua (Massachusetts/New Hampshire); and Deep Creek, Surprise Creek, and Whitewater River (California).Designated additional mileage on the Amargosa River (California); West Branch of the Farmington River (Connecticut); and Chetco, Elk, and Rogue Rivers (Oregon). Changed the name of Squaw Creek to Whychus Creek (Oregon). Made classification corrections to the Elk River (Oregon) and other technical amendments.

Public Law 117-328

Designated the Housatonic River (Connecticut) and York (Maine) Rivers; added the Kissimmee and Little Manatee Rivers in Florida for study.

Secretarial Designation - Musconetcong River, New Jersey

Added an additional segment of the Musconetcong River.