Pearl River named among America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2023

Prothonotary Warbler.

The Pearl River has topped #3 on the list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023 due to serious threats posed by a private real estate development scheme masquerading as a flood control project known as the “One Lake” project. 

“One Lake” would involve dredging and damming 10 miles of the Pearl River near Jackson, MS, to create new waterfront property, which would destroy vital bird and wildlife habitat, worsen Jackson’s flooding and drinking water crisis, increase toxic contamination, and reduce freshwater flows critical to the region’s important seafood and tourism economies. 

Audubon Delta is leading efforts with our chapters and many partners to stop this devastating proposal and instead secure environmentally sustainable flood relief for the predominantly Black community of Jackson while protecting the Pearl River and all the communities and economies that rely on it. 

Read more about this important announcement here.