Wild & Scenic Rivers
Study Status
(As of January 2003)
With the passage of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act on October 2, 1968 (P.L. 90-542), eight rivers or river segments were included as initial components in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (National System). Congress and/or the Secretary of the Interior* have added 155 rivers or river segments to the National System since then. (See separate listing: River Mileage Classifications for Components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.)
(*The Secretary of the Interior has authority to designate rivers pursuant to Section 2 (a)(ii) of the Act. This requires prior designation into a State System and application by the Governor of the State(s).
 P.L. 90-542 also authorized 27 rivers for study as potential components of the National System. These are listed in Section 5 (a) of the Act. Amendments to the law have brought the total number of studies authorized to 138. These studies have led to 46 designations by either Congress or the Secretary of the Interior. One study led to the establishment of a National Recreation Area. Ten rivers were found ineligible.
The number of rivers included in the National System differs from the number of rivers authorized by Congress for study for the following reasons: - designation of rivers by Congress without a pre-authorization study, e.g., the Niobrara;
- designation of rivers recommended through Federal agency planning processes, e.g., 40 rivers designated in Oregon in 1988;
- designation of rivers by the Secretary of the Interior that were not 5(a) study rivers.
The following 138 rivers have been authorized for study by P.L. 90-542 or by amendatory legislation as indicated. Study leadership is indicated as National Park Service (NPS), Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service (HCRS), Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (BOR), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), or Forest Service (FS). The study function was transferred within the Department of the Interior from the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service (formerly the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation) to the National Park Service by Secretarial Order Number 3017, January 25, 1978. All studies indicated as (BOR) were completed by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation before the program was transferred to the National Park Service. The Bureau of Land Management was delegated responsibility for conducting studies on Public Lands on October 11, 1988. The Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, has always conducted Wild and Scenic River studies on national forest lands. There have been several joint Interior/Agriculture studies.
PDF File of Study Rivers
I. Public Law 90-542 -- 27 rivers, studies due October 2, 1978
(1) Allegheny, Pennsylvania. (BOR) Letter report to Congress on January 23, 1974. River not qualified. (69.5 miles)
(2) Bruneau, Idaho. (BOR) Report recommending congressional designation transmitted to Congress on May 23, 1977. (121 miles)
(3) Buffalo, Tennessee. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on October 2, 1979. Preservation of river by state recommended. (117 miles)
(4) Chattooga, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. (USFS) Fifty-six point nine miles added to the National System, Public Law 93-279, May 10, 1974. (56.9 miles)
(5) Clarion, Pennsylvania. (BOR) Letter report to Congress on February 22, 1974. River not qualified. (90 miles)
(6) Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York. (BOR) Seventy-five point four miles added to the National System, Public Law 95-625, November 10, 1978. (75.4 miles)
(7) Flathead, Montana. (USFS) Two hundred nineteen miles added to the National System, Public Law 94-486, October 12, 1976. (219 miles)
(8) Gasconade, Missouri. (BOR) Report transmitted to Congress on May 23, 1977. Preservation of river by state recommended. (265 miles)
(9) Illinois, Oregon. (USFS) Fifty point four miles added to the National System, Public Law 98-494, October 19, 1984. (88 miles)
(10) Little Beaver, Ohio. (BOR) Thirty-three miles added to the National System by the Secretary of the Interior on October 23, 1975. Report transmitted to Congress on February 10, 1976. (33 miles)
(11) Little Miami, Ohio. (BOR) Sixty-six miles added to the National System by the Secretary of the Interior on August 20, 1973. Report transmitted to Congress on November 5, 1973. An additional 28-mile segment was added by the Secretary of the Interior on January 28, 1980. (94 miles)
(12) Maumee, Ohio and Indiana. (BOR) Report transmitted to Congress on September 13, 1974. River not qualified. (236 miles)
(13) Missouri, Montana. (BOR) One hundred forty-nine miles added to the National System, Public Law 94-486, October 12, 1976. (180 miles)
(14) Moyie, Idaho. (USFS) Report transmitted to Congress on September 13, 1982. Designation not recommended. (26.1 miles)
(15) Obed, Tennessee. (BOR/NPS) Forty-five miles added to the National System, Public Law 94-486, October 12, 1976. Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. Submission of final report was in abeyance pending completion of a mineral evaluation. Further designation was not recommended. (100 miles)
(16) Penobscot, Maine. (BOR) Report transmitted to Congress on May 23, 1977. Preservation of river by state recommended. (327 miles)
(17) Pere Marquette, Michigan. (USFS) Sixty-six point four miles added to the National System, Public Law 95-625, November 10, 1978. (153 miles)
(18) Pine Creek, Pennsylvania. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on October 2, 1979. Preservation of river by state recommended. (51.7 miles)
(19) Priest, Idaho. (USFS) Report recommending congressional designation transmitted to Congress on October 2, 1979. (67 miles)
(20) Rio Grande, Texas. (BOR) One hundred ninety-one point two miles added to the National System, Public Law 95-625, November 10, 1978. (556 miles)
(21) Saint Croix, Minnesota and Wisconsin. (BOR) Twenty-seven mile federally administered segment added to the National System by Public Law 92-560, October 25, 1972. Twenty-five mile state-administered segment added by the Secretary of the Interior on June 17, 1976. (52 miles)
(22) St. Joe, Idaho. (USFS) Sixty-six point three miles added to the National System, Public Law 95-625, November 10, 1978. (132.1 miles)
(23) Salmon, Idaho. (USFS) One hundred twenty-five miles added to the National System, Public Law 96-312, July 23, 1980. Additional 53 miles subject to provisions of Section 7(a) of Public Law 90-542. (237 miles)
(24) Skagit, Washington. (USFS) One hundred fifty-seven point five miles added to the National System, Public Law 95-625, November 10, 1978. (166.3 miles)
(25) Suwannee, Florida and Georgia. (BOR) Report transmitted to Congress on March 15, 1974. Preservation of river by state recommended. (272 miles)
(26) Upper Iowa, Iowa. (BOR) Report transmitted to Congress on May 11, 1972. Preservation of river by state recommended. (80 miles)
(27) Youghigheny, Maryland and Pennsylvania. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on October 2, 1979. Preservation of river by state recommended. (49 miles)
II. Public Law 93-621 -- 29 rivers, studies due October 2, 1979, except the Dolores River due October 2, 1976, and the Green and Yampa Rivers due January 1, 1987
(28) American, California. (USFS) Thirty-eight point three miles added to the National System, Public Law 95-625, November 10, 1978. (41.1 miles)
(29) AuSable, Michigan. (USFS) Twenty-three miles added to the National System, Public Law 98-444, October 4, 1984. (165 miles)
(30) Big Thompson, Colorado. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on October 2, 1979. Designation not recommended. (13.6 miles)
(31) Cache la Poudre, Colorado. (USFS) Seventy-six miles added to the National System, Public Law 99-590, October 30, 1986. (76 miles)
(32) Cahaba, Alabama. (USFS) Report transmitted to Congress on December 14, 1979. River not qualified. (116 miles)
(33) Clarks Fork, Wyoming. (USFS) Twenty point five miles added to the National System, Public Law 101-628, November 28, 1990. (23 miles)
(34) Colorado, Colorado and Utah. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. Designation not recommended. (75.7 miles)
(35) Conejos, Colorado. (USFS) Report recommending congressional designation transmitted to Congress on September 13, 1982. (48.8 miles)
(36) Elk, Colorado. (USFS) Report recommending congressional designation transmitted to Congress on September 13, 1982. (35 miles)
(37) Encampment, Colorado. (USFS) Report recommending congressional designation transmitted to Congress on October 2, 1979. (19.5 miles)
(38) Green, Colorado and Utah. (NPS) Interim final report transmitted to Congress in combination with the Yampa River study on November 14, 1983. The Secretary recommended that Congress delay action on this river pending outcome of several issues. River remains in "study" status. (91 miles)
(39) Gunnison, Colorado. (NPS) Report recommending congressional designation transmitted to Congress on October 2, 1979. (29 miles)
(40) Illinois, Oklahoma. (HCRS) Report transmitted to Congress on October 2, 1979. Preservation of river by state recommended. (115 miles)
(41) John Day, Oregon. (NPS) One hundred forty-seven point five miles added to the National System, Public Law 100-557, October 28, 1988. (149 miles)
(42) Kettle, Minnesota. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on October 2, 1979. Preservation of river by state recommended. (79 miles)
(43) Los Pinos, Colorado. (USFS) Report recommending congressional designation transmitted to Congress on September 13, 1982. (54 miles)
(44) Manistee, Michigan. (USFS) Twenty-six miles added to the National System, Public Law 102-249, March 3, 1992. (232 miles)
(45) Nolichucky, Tennessee and North Carolina. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. River not qualified. (110 miles)
(46) Owyhee, Oregon. (NPS) One hundred twenty miles added to the National System, Public Law 98-494, October 19, 1984. (192 miles)
(47) Piedra, Colorado. (USFS) Report recommending congressional designation transmitted to Congress on September 13, 1982. (53 miles)
(48) Shepaug, Connecticut. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on October 2, 1979. Preservation of river by state and local action recommended. (28 miles)
(49) Sipsey Fork, Alabama. (USFS) Sixty-one miles added to the National System, Public Law 100-547, October 28, 1988. (71 miles)
(50) Snake, Wyoming. (USFS) Report recommending congressional designation transmitted to Congress on September 13, 1982. (50 miles)
(51) Sweetwater, Wyoming. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on November 14, 1979. Designation not recommended. (9.5 miles)
(52) Tuolumne, California. (NPS/USFS) Eighty-three miles added to the National System, Public Law 98-425, September 28, 1984. (92 miles)
(53) Upper Mississippi, Minnesota. (BOR) Report recommending congressional designation transmitted to Congress on August 25, 1977. (466 miles)
(54) Wisconsin, Wisconsin. (NPS/USFS) Report transmitted to Congress on October 2, 1979. Preservation of river by state recommended. (82.4 miles)
(55) Yampa, Colorado. (NPS) Interim final report transmitted to Congress in combination with Green River report on November 14, 1983. The Secretary recommended that Congress delay action on this river pending outcome of several issues. River remains in "study" status. (47 miles)
(56) Dolores, Colorado. (BOR/USFS) Report recommending Congressional designation transmitted to Congress on May 23, 1977. (105 miles)
III. Public Law 94-199 -- 1 river, study due October 1, 1979
(57) Snake, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. Designation not recommended. (33 miles)
IV. Public Law 94-486 -- 1 river, study due October 1, 1980
(58) Housatonic, Connecticut. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on October 2, 1979. Preservation of river by state and local action recommended. (51 miles)
V. Public Law 95-625 -- 17 rivers, studies due October 1, 1984
(59) Kern (North Fork), California. (USFS) One hundred fifty-one miles of the North and South Forks added to the National System, Public Law 100-174, November 24, 1987. (74 miles)
(60) Loxahatchee, Florida. (NPS) Seven point five miles added to the National System by the Secretary of the Interior on May 17, 1985. (25 miles)
(61) Ogeechee, Georgia. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. Preservation of river by state recommended. (246 miles)
(62) Salt, Arizona. (USFS) Report transmitted to Congress on September 13, 1982. Designation not recommended. (22 miles)
(63) Verde, Arizona. (USFS) Forty point five miles added to the National System, Public Law 98-406, August 28, 1984. (78 miles)
(64) San Francisco, Arizona. (USFS) Report transmitted to Congress on September 13, 1982. Designation not recommended. (29 miles)
(65) Fish Creek, East Branch, New York. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. Preservation of river by state and local action recommended. (49 miles)
(66) Black Creek, Mississippi. (USFS) Twenty-one miles added to the National System, Public Law 99-590, October 30, 1986. (122.8 miles)
(67) Allegheny, Pennsylvania. (USFS) Eighty-five miles added to the National System, Public Law 102-271, April 20, 1992. (128 miles)
(68) Cacapon, West Virginia. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. Preservation of river by state and local action recommended. (114 miles)
(69) Escatawpa, Alabama and Mississippi. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. Preservation of river by state and local action recommended. (72 miles)
(70) Myakka, Florida. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. Preservation of river by state recommended. (37 miles)
(71) Soldier Creek, Alabama. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. River not qualified. (.2 miles)
(72) Red, Kentucky. (USFS) Nineteen point four miles added to the National System, Public Law 103-170, December 2, 1993. (19.4 miles)
(73) Bluestone, West Virginia. (NPS) Ten miles added to the National System, Public Law 100-534, October 26, 1988. (40 miles)
(74) Gauley, West Virginia. (NPS) A 25-mile segment established as a National Recreation Area on October 26, 1988. (164 miles)
(75) Greenbrier, West Virginia. (USFS) Report transmitted to Congress on January 7, 1993. Preservation of river by state and local action recommended. (175 miles)
VI. Public Law 96-199 -- 1 river, study due October 1, 1984
(76) Birch, West Virginia. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. Preservation of river by state and local action recommended. (20 miles)
VII. Public Law 96-487 -- 12 rivers, studies due October 1, 1984, except the Sheenjek and Squirrel Rivers due January 1, 1987. The following rivers were added for study by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA.)
(77) Colville, Alaska. (NPS) Study submitted to Congress on April 12, 1979, as part of 105(c) study mandated by Public Law 94-258. This was prior to passage of ANILCA. (428 miles)
(78) Etivluk-Nigu, Alaska. (NPS) Study submitted to Congress on April 12, 1979, as part of 105(c) study mandated by Public Law 94-258. This was prior to passage of ANILCA. (160 miles)
(79) Utukok, Alaska. (NPS) Study submitted to Congress on April 12, 1979, as part of 105(c) study mandated by Public Law 94-258. This was prior to passage of ANILCA. (250 miles)
(80) Kanektok, Alaska. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. Designation not recommended. (75 miles)
(81) Kisaralik, Alaska. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. Designation not recommended. (75 miles)
(82) Melozitna, Alaska. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. River not qualified. (270 miles)
(83) Sheenjek (lower segment), Alaska. (NPS) Report recommending congressional designation transmitted to Congress on January 19, 2001. (109 miles)
(84) Situk, Alaska. (USFS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. Designation not recommended. (21 miles)
(85) Porcupine, Alaska. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. Designation not recommended. (75 miles)
(86) Yukon (Ramparts section), Alaska. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. Designation not recommended. (128 miles)
(87) Squirrel, Alaska. (Initiated by NPS/Completed by BLM) Final report/EIS issued January 26, 1999. Designation not recommended. (72 miles)
(88) Koyuk, Alaska. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on April 26, 1985. River not qualified. (159 miles)
VIII. Public Law 98-323 -- 1 river, study due October 1, 1990
(89) Wildcat Creek, New Hampshire. (NPS) Fourteen point five miles added to the National System, Public Law 100-554, October 28, 1988. (21 miles)
IX. Public Law 98-484 -- 1 river, study due October 17, 1987
(90) Horsepasture, North Carolina. (USFS) Four point two miles added to the National System, Public Law 99-530, October 27, 1986. (4.2 miles)
X. Public Law 98-494 -- 1 river, study due October 1, 1988
(91) North Umpqua, Oregon. (USFS) Thirty-three point eight miles added to the National System, Public Law 100-557, October 28, 1988. (33.8 miles)
XI. Public Law 99-590 -- 2 rivers, studies due October 30, 1989, for the Great Egg Harbor and October 1, 1990, for the Farmington
(92) Farmington, West Branch, Connecticut and Massachusetts. (NPS) Fourteen miles added to the National System, Public Law 103-313, August 26, 1994. Report transmitted to Congress on December 13, 1995. (25 miles)
(93) Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey. (NPS) One hundred twenty-nine miles added to the National System, Public Law 102-536, October 26, 1992. (127 miles)
XII. Public Law 99-663 -- 2 rivers, studies due October 1, 1990
(94) Klickitat, Washington. (USFS) Draft report issued June 1990. Final report completed, but not transmitted to Congress. (30 miles)
(95) White Salmon, Washington. (USFS) Report recommending congressional designation transmitted to Congress on July 7, 1997. (20 miles)
XIII. Public Law 100-33 -- 3 rivers, studies due October 1, 1990
(96) Maurice, New Jersey. (NPS) Ten point five miles added to the National System, Public Law 103-162, December 1, 1993. (14 miles)
(97) Manumuskin, New Jersey. (NPS) Fourteen point three miles added to the National System, Public Law 103-162, December 1, 1993. (3.5 miles)
(98) Menantico Creek, New Jersey. (NPS) Seven point nine miles added to the National System, Public Law 103-162, December 1, 1993. (7 miles)
XIV. Public Law 100-149 -- 1 river, study due October 1, 1991
(99) Merced, California. (BLM) Eight miles added to the National System, Public Law 102-432, October 23, 1992. (8 miles)
XV. Public Law 100-557 -- 6 rivers, studies due October 1, 1992
(100) Blue, Oregon. (USFS) Study initiated in 1989. River determined ineligible, but report not yet transmitted to Congress. (9 miles)
(101) Chewaucan, Oregon. (USFS) Study initiated in 1989. River determined ineligible, but report not yet transmitted to Congress. (23 miles)
(102) North Fork Malheur, Oregon. (BLM/USFS) River determined eligible, but report not transmitted to Congress. (15 miles)
(103) South Fork McKenzie, Oregon. (USFS) Study initiated in 1989 with plans to complete at revision of the Willamette National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. (26 miles)
(104) Steamboat Creek, Oregon. (USFS) Final report completed in 1993, but report not transmitted to Congress. (24 miles)
(105) Wallowa, Oregon. (USFS) Ten miles added to the National System by the Secretary of the Interior on July 25, 1996. (10 miles)
XVI. Public Law 101-356 -- 1 river, study due August 10, 1993
(106) Merrimack, New Hampshire. (NPS) Draft report issued October 7, 1999. (22 miles)
XVII. Public Law 101-357 -- 1 river, study due August 10, 1993
(107) Pemigewasset, New Hampshire. (NPS) Report transmitted to Congress on May 5, 1998. Designation not recommended. (36 miles)
XVIII. Public Law 101-364 -- 1 river, study due August 15, 1993
(108) St. Marys, Florida. (NPS) Draft report issued on March 16, 1994. River was determined eligible. Final report not transmitted to Congress. (120 miles)
XIX. Public Law 101-538 -- 1 river, study due September 30, 1994
(109) Mills, North Carolina. (USFS) Final report completed in 1996 but not transmitted to Congress. (33 miles)
XX. Public Law 101-628 -- 1 river, study due September 30, 1994
(110) Concord, Assabet and Sudbury, Massachusetts. (NPS) Twenty-nine miles added to the National System, Public Law 106-20, April 9, 1999. (29 miles)
XXI. Public Law 102-50 -- 1 river, study due September 30, 1994
(111) Niobrara, Nebraska. (NPS) Six miles added to the National System, Public Law 102-50, May 24, 1996. (6 miles)
XXII. Public Law 102-214 -- 1 river, study due December 11, 1994
(112) Lamprey, New Hampshire. (NPS) Eleven point five miles added to the National System, Public Law 104-333, November 12, 1996. Twelve miles added to the National System, Public Law 106-192, May 5, 2000. (10 miles)
XXIII. Public Law 102-215 -- 1 river, study due December 11, 1994
(113) White Clay Creek, Pennsylvania and Delaware. (NPS) One hundred ninety miles added to the National System, Public Law 106-357, October 24, 2000. (23+ miles)
XXIV. Public Law 102-249 -- 11 rivers, studies due September 30, 1995
(114) Brule, Michigan and Wisconsin. (USFS) Study initiated in 1993. (33 miles)
(115) Carp, Michigan. (USFS) Study initiated in 1993. (7.6 miles)
(116) Little Manistee, Michigan. (USFS) Study initiated in 1993. (42 miles)
(117) White, Michigan. (USFS) Study initiated in 1993. (75.4 miles)
(118) Ontonagon, Michigan. (USFS) Study initiated in 1993. (32 miles)
(119) Paint, Michigan. (USFS) Study initiated in 1993. (70 miles)
(120) Presque Isle, Michigan. (USFS) Study initiated in 1993. (13 miles)
(121) Sturgeon (Ottawa National Forest), Michigan. (USFS) Study initiated in 1993. (36 miles)
(122) Sturgeon (Hiawatha National Forest), Michigan. (USFS) Study initiated in 1993. (18.1 miles)
(123) Tahquamenon, Michigan. (USFS) Study initiated in 1993. (103.5 miles)
(124) Whitefish, Michigan. (USFS) Study initiated in 1993. (26 miles)
XXV. Public Law 102-271 -- 2 rivers, studies due September 30, 1995
(125) Clarion, Pennsylvania. (USFS) Fifty-one point seven miles added to the National System, Public Law 104-333, October 19, 1996. (104 miles)
(126) Mill Creek, Pennsylvania. (USFS) Study initiated in 1993. (18 miles)
XXVI. Public Law 102-301 -- 5 rivers, studies due September 30, 1995
(127) Piru Creek, California. (USFS) Study initiated in 1998 with plans to complete at revision of the Los Padres National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. (49 miles)
(128) Little Sur, California. (USFS) Study initiated in 1998 with plans to complete at revision of the Los Padres National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. (23 miles)
(129) Matilija Creek, California. (USFS) Study initiated in 1998 with plans to complete at revision of the Los Padres National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. (16 miles)
(130) Lopez Creek, California. (USFS) Study initiated in 1998 with plans to complete at revision of the Los Padres National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. (11 miles)
(131) Sespe Creek, California. (USFS) Study initiated in 1998 with plans to complete at revision of the Los Padres National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. (10.5 miles)
XXVII. Public Law 102-432 -- 1 river, study due September 30, 1995
(132) North Fork Merced, California. (BLM) Study is being delayed until the Folsom Resource Management Plan amendment is initiated in 2004. (15 miles)
XXVIII. Public Law 102-460 -- 1 river, study due October 23, 1993
(133) Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. (NPS) Sixty-seven point three miles added to the National System, Public Law 106-418, November 1, 2000. (70 miles)
XXIX. Public Law 102-525 -- 1 river, study due October 26, 1993
(134) New, Virginia and West Virginia. (NPS) Study initiated in 1993. (20 miles)
XXX. Public Law 103-242 -- 1 river, study due May 4, 1997
(135) Rio Grande, New Mexico. (BLM) Final report issued on January 4, 2000, but not transmitted to Congress. Seven point six miles determined eligible. (8 miles)
XXXI. Public Law 104-311 -- 1 river, study due October 19, 1998
(136) Wekiva, Florida. (NPS) Forty-one point six miles added to the National System, Public Law 106-299, October 13, 2000. (27 miles)
XXXII. Public Law 106-318 -- 1 river, study due October 19, 2003
(137) Tauton, Massachusetts. (NPS) Study initiated in 2001. (22 miles)
XXXIII. Public Law 107-65 -- 1 river, study due November 6, 2004
(138) Eight Mile, Connecticut. (NPS) Study initiated in 2002. (15 miles)
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