Potomac Most Endangered River

American Rivers has named the Potomac America’s Most Endangered River of 2026 due to a historic sewage spill and water-intensive data centers across the watershed threatening water availability and quality. The Potomac River basin is home to more than six million people. Its watershed is seeing a surge in data center development, particularly in Virginia and parts of Maryland. The region already hosts more than 300 data centers, with projections suggesting as many as 1,000 facilities in coming years.