Identify one major challenge facing waterways management today.

Pollution from urban runoff is a significant challenge facing waterways management today due to the increasing volume and variety of pollutants that enter waterways from urban areas. As cities expand and develop, surfaces like roads and rooftops prevent water from being absorbed into the ground. Instead, rainwater flows over these surfaces, picking up contaminants such as chemicals, oils, heavy metals, and nutrients, which then enter rivers, lakes, and oceans. This runoff contributes to the degradation of water quality, harming aquatic ecosystems, affecting drinking water sources, and creating health hazards for both human populations and wildlife.

Effective waterways management requires strategies to reduce urban runoff and mitigate its impacts, such as implementing green infrastructure, enhancing stormwater management practices, and restoring natural waterways. Addressing urban runoff pollution is essential for maintaining clean and sustainable water resources.