Milliken headwaters. Vineyard development in this area could affect water quality in Milliken Reservoir, part of Napa City's water supply
Rivers throughout the West increasingly impacted by human activities
A new report by the Center for American Progress, produced in partnership with Conservation Science Partners, shows that nearly half of all Western rivers have been affected by human activity from development - including agricultural activities - or diversions. Headwaters in watershed areas have not been spared, with over a third of them disturbed by development.
"This analysis also found that even the headwaters of rivers are very impacted from human activities, mostly due to development along the surrounding land for headwaters. More than a third of headwaters were impacted.
Headwaters are the source of clean drinking water for many Americans. So that has a very direct impact on the health of communities, and if headwaters start out damaged, diverted or polluted, it literally all goes downhill from there."