Advocates rally around Colorado River.

• Author: Martin, Maria
• Position: ENVIRONMENT

IT DOESN'T HAVE THE DISTINCTION of being the longest river in the United States. Nor is it the deepest or most navigable.

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Instead, the Colorado River has the regrettable designation as the nation's most endangered river, according to the advocacy group American Rivers. By 2050, scientists predict the flow of the river--which runs through seven states--will decrease by 10 percent to 30 percent.

But there's good news, said Gary Wockner, of the Save the Colorado River campaign, and Molly Mugglestone of Protect the Flows. Wockner said a polluted river has the ability to spur communities and businesses into action, regardless of conflicting politics or social beliefs.

"The Colorado River is the lifeblood of the natural ecosystem of the Southwest U.S.," said Wockner, director of the campaign, a philanthropic partnership that works to raise awareness of the river's plight and provide funding for environmental groups.

The implications are illustrated clearly and tough to dispute.

* Roughly 40 million rely on the river for their drinking water across the states through which the river flows.

* More than 200 Colorado businesses rely on the river.

* A $26 billion recreation industry across six states relies on the Colorado River.

* Around 850 businesses belong to Protect the Flows, a group that brings voice to businesses that depend on the river.

Moreover, agriculture and tourism are dependent on that water.

Mugglestone, director of Protect the Flows, says millions flock to the river banks for fishing, hiking, boating, rafting and other activities.

It's time, Mugglestone says, to stop pitting state against state in regards to water rights. "We all benefit from it," says Mugglestone, noting that the Walton Family Foundation funds a lot of projects that involve the river.

David Miller, the assistant...