Humankind depends critically on agriculturally significant regions where large amounts and diverse types of foods are produced. Intensive farming in these areas also results in pollution of rivers and coastal areas. Three related symposia will highlight the relationship between agriculture and different river systems: The Mississippi, the Susquehanna and the San Joaquin. The American midwest is one of the most productive farming regions in the world. Fertile soils and a suitable climate have lead to the efficient production of large amounts of grain, oil seed crops, and livestock, but with adverse effects on the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The potential consequences of intensive biofuel production and its effects on the landscape, river and coast will be highlighted. The Susquehanna River drains a large land area in the northeastern United States that includes productive farms located closest to the largest population center in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay, one of the most productive coastal estuaries in North America is affected by farming and urbanization in the Susquehanna watershed. Another, region which is important for the diverse types of crops produced and outstanding levels of productivity is the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) of California. A large portion of the world's almond and walnut crops, the majority of the USA's processed tomato crop, and large amounts of other vegetables and fruits, and field crops are produced year round. The western SJV is affected by salinity. Salinity management is complicated by the presence of trace elements, especially selenium. Drainage into the San Joaquin River affects water quality in the river's Delta and the San Francisco Bay. These symposia will discuss the needs for pollution prevention, highlight regulatory programs, and adaptive research to address NPS pollution from intensive agriculture.