Case Studies: River Protection

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The following list is a survey of some significant pieces of river protection legislation from around the world. Many of these pieces of legislation are still works in progress. This list is not comprehensive of all river protection mechanisms, but we hope it provides useful information, resources, and inspiration to those seeking to learn more about successful river protection legislation.

Argentina: Entre Rios

When the Salto Grande Dam on Argentina’s Uruguay River flooded out the city of Federación, locals knew they needed to take action. And they did. Read more…

Canada: Canadian Heritage Rivers System

A voluntary system of river protection that has been used to protect not only Canadian but also transboundary rivers. Read more…

Colombia: Rio Atrato

Colombia’s Constitutional Court has recognized the Atrato River’s rights to “protection, conservation, maintenance and restoration,” thanks to an inspiring – and successful – lawsuit. Read more…

Costa Rica: Plebiscites & Wetlands Policy

Costa Rican voters passed a resolution to protect the wild Pacuare River; a few years later, the government instituted a revolutionary wetlands policy. Read more…

New Zealand: National Water Conservation Orders

In 1981, New Zealand recognized 16 rivers and lakes as “Outstanding” and protected them in perpetuity. Read more…

New Zealand: The Power of a Lawsuit

In 2017, New Zealand’s Whanganui River won personhood status, after more than 160 years of lawsuits by the river’s Maori guardians. Read more…

New Zealand: When a River Becomes a Legal Person – A Short Journey Down the Whanganui River
The Maori have been fighting for 175 years to get their land and water rights, and that fight has been filled with conflict and controversy amongst themselves as well as with the New Zealand government. Read more…


Norway: Protection Plan for Watercourses and Master Plan for Hydropower Development

Between 1973 and 1993, Norway adopted four plans to protect high-value rivers from hydropower development. Read more…

Sweden: National Rivers

Most of Sweden’s rivers were dammed in the 20th century to fuel industrial development. So activists stepped forward to protect the rest. Read more…

South Africa: National Water Act

South Africa’s extremely progressive water policy has yet to reach its full potential. Read more…

United States: The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act 

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was a groundbreaking piece of legislation that helped halt the wholesale destruction of wild rivers in the American West. Read more…