Our index is more than just data; it is a comprehensive health checkup for every waterway featured in our River Collection or documented within our blog archive. We assign each of these rivers a Health Score from A to F, evaluating its safety, ecological stability, and the human impact on local communities. By identifying the “Primary Villain” behind the pollution and the “Wildlife Ghosts” that have vanished from the stretches we’ve studied, we can better understand the gravity of the environmental crisis and the steps needed for a true recovery.
Grade A (Pristine): The water is safe to drink with minimal filtration. The ecosystem is intact, and indigenous traditions thrive alongside the natural flow.
Grade B (Stable): Healthy but showing signs of stress. Some agricultural or urban runoff is present, but the river remains a reliable resource for the community.
Grade C (At Risk): Significant pollution is present. The water requires professional treatment to be safe, and certain wildlife species are beginning to struggle or migrate.
Grade D (Critical): High toxicity levels. The river has become dangerous for humans and animals alike, and the “Recovery Clock” is now measured in decades.
Grade F (Failing): The river is biologically “dead” or extremely toxic. It is unsafe to touch or drink, and the local indigenous way of life has been fundamentally broken by industrial “Villains.”
To make our data easy to navigate, this index is fully searchable by river name; simply type a name into the search bar to find its current report card and use the click-through links to access dedicated blog posts covering the history, myths, and people fighting to save each waterway. As a small, dedicated team, we are working hard to document every major waterway on the planet by adding new rivers weekly, so we encourage you to check back often for updates and contact us if there is a specific river you would like to see added to the index—we value your input as we grow this resource together.
