30 Things You Didn’t Know About Rivers

[RiverLover]

30 Things You Didn’t Know About Rivers
by
Peter Bosshard


The Nam Ou River in Laos.

1. Rivers are some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. Rivers and lakes sustain more fish species than the sea even though they contain 600 times less water.

2. Rivers feed us. Freshwater fisheries currently sustain up to 550 million people on a fish-based diet.


Victoria Falls

3. Rivers are the cradles of our civilizations. Our most ancient cultures sprang up along rivers such as the Tigris and Euphrates, the Nile, the Indus, and the Yellow.

4. Dams have fragmented two thirds of the world’s great rivers. They store about 7,000 cubic kilometers or one sixth of the water flowing in rivers.


Biya River, Russia

5. Rivers shape our planet and have created some of its most beautiful landscapes. Think of the Grand Canyon, the Iguaçu and the Victoria Falls!

6. We cry to Ol’ Man River, dance By the Rivers of Babylon, and waltz along the Blue Danube. Rivers have inspired great music around the world.


Elwha River, Washington

7. With a length of 6,853 kilometers, the Nile is the world’s longest river. With a mere 27 meters, the Reprua River in the Caucasus may be the shortest.

8. An estimated 10,000-20,000 freshwater species have been lost or are at risk. 37% of the world’s freshwater fish species – including 24 of 26 sturgeon species – are threatened by extinction.


The Colorado River, Grand Canyon

9. By depositing nutritious silt on floodplains and deltas, rivers have created our most fertile agricultural lands, from the Mekong Delta to California’s Central Valley.


Tellico River, North Carolina

10. Rivers sustain fish populations offshore. Because of the nutrients they carry to the sea, 80% of the world’s fish catch comes from continental shelves.


Cape Fear River, North Carolina

11. Rivers unite us. Some 276 rivers flow across more than one country, and their basins cover almost half the Earth’s land surface.

(12-30 at link)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License

http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/16/30-things-you-didnt-know-about-rivers

Aren't we all river lovers? (Well, everyone but the industries that pollute them everyday.)

[merrily]

1. That may be the most gorgeous post I've ever seen! Thank you!

[RiverLover]

3. It was my pleasure!

Rivers are magical, and incredibly photogenic.

[merrily]

6. And you are magical, to have created that beautiful post.

[daleanime]

2. I agree with merrily.....

beautiful post.

[RiverLover]

4. Thanks daleanime!

[pscot]

5. A wild river is an amazing thing

[bvf]

7. Some really stunning images there!

Here's a really off-beat one you might appreciate (if not, just tell me to bug off):

The average sinuosity (ratio of actual length to bee-line distance from origin to terminus) of the world's rivers is approximately pi.

OK! Did I mention these pictures are absolutely beautiful?

[WillyT]

8. Outstanding Post... Thank You For That...

[erronis]

9. Piggybacking: A nice mix of the beauty and wonder along with the dangers to these rivers.

[RiverLover]

12. Bittersweet, isn't it? /nt

[Skarbrowe]

10. Great post!

[RiverLover]

13. Beautiful, haunting, just like a river. Thanks Skarbrowe!

I just have to add another. This one is also beautiful & haunting, but no words. Just music & flowing water~

[The River]

11. Nice post

I didn't know how many damned dams are being built
but otherwise knew the drill. With my "handle", I damn well better.
I worked as a river guide/lifeguard and canoe instructor for several decades.
My specialty was navigating upstream (and up rapids) against the flow. It's amazing
the secrets you learn about the current and behavior of the river
when you see it from a different point-of-view.

[RiverLover]

14. You are so, so lucky to have had that river experience.

To get paid to spend your days on rivers. I'm so envious!!

Navigating upstream is one of the most difficult things to do in rapids. Even mild ones, if there are rocks. I bet you have so many good stories!!

I lived in NC not so long ago & got to see an extreme kayak race on the Green River. You will probably appreciate this vid more than most. Its awesome~

These guys are nuts!

[The River]

15. That Video is Crazier than Anything

I did on the water. After surviving 'Nam I didn't want to push my luck.
God yes, I have tons of stories. Most evenings the staff would have a communal dinner and swap stories. My most memorable was escorting about 2 dozen young Mennonites down 9 miles miles of the James River. They all wore dresses/caps or jackets/suspenders.
They were all soaked after capsizing in the first set of rapids. After that they loosened up and had fun. It was a pitiful/funny sight.

[PeterBosshard]

16. Going back to the sources

Thank you for reposting my text, and with such stunning images no less. For all readers who would like to see the original post with links to all sources, check out http://intlrv.rs/riverfacts. If you would like to receive occasional updates from International Rivers, go to www.internationalrivers.org/mailing-lists/action-list-news-stream (or follow me at @PeterBosshard). Wild waters!

[RiverLover]

17. Thanks Peter, for posting here & for ALL you do for rivers!!

I thought the "share alike" license meant that I could post the entire article, which is fantastic, but I've learned that isn't the case.

I'll change my post now.

Thanks again. Rivers Rock!!

[PeterBosshard]

18. Reposting

As far as I'm concerned you can keep the full story up. Would be a shame for the beautiful river images if you had to take it down.

[RiverLover]

19. Thanks! The owner of the site asked me to cut it down though. Such good writing & fascinating info

it was hard to do!

The pics I got on my own, so they'll stay. So glad you like them!