The American water shrew ranges from Alaska and Canada to northern mountain regions of the United States. Near streams and lakes, it dives to search for aquatic insects.
Coat color varies, but the back is generally black or gray-black and the underside silvery gray. It may look blacker in winter and browner in summer.
It dives to stream bottoms to feed on aquatic insect larvae. Its large hind feet and stiff hairs help propel it through water.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.