The Nationwide Rivers Inventory (NRI) is a listing
of more than 3,400 free-flowing river segments in the United
States that are believed to possess one or more "outstandingly
remarkable" natural or cultural values judged to be of more
than local or regional significance. Under a 1979 Presidential
directive, and related Council on Environmental Quality procedures, all
federal agencies must seek to avoid or mitigate actions that
would adversely affect one or more NRI segments. The NRI is
a source of information for statewide river assessments and
federal agencies involved with stream-related projects. For
any group concerned with ecosystem management, the inventory
can provide the location of the nearest naturally- functioning
system which might serve as a reference for monitoring activities.
It also serves as a listing of plant and animal species for
restoration efforts on a similar section of river. For the
recreationalist, it provides a listing of free-flowing, relatively
undisturbed river segments.
Click here to hear an audio explanation
of the NRI (wav file 4MB)
Click on the map below
to view a state's database
|