River Walks

Rivers are liquid highways that move people and goods and wildlife. They also provide sources of freshwater for a biodiversity of living things. When indigenous peoples settled the Americas, the rivers were pure and clean. Rivers in Africa, South America, Europe, Asia, and the Oceanic countries rain clear and pure. When rivers began to serve as liquid connectors for goods and people, canals began to be dredged for river vessels to carry goods, foods, and people. In the rapid expansion of the industrial age, steam engines and petroleum train lines quickly overtook rivers and canals. Roads spread rapidly across the country when horse-drawn wagons turned into cars, cars into trucks, and refrigerated trucks. With the invention of flight, airlines expanded movement on the roads into the air, and cities turned their backs on their rivers. Rivers became home to stockyards, factories, and industries, which polluted the rivers. Americas’ Rivers report that over 40% of United States Rivers are polluted at their headwaters. People are awakening to the need to care for their rivers in the 21st century. Riverfront developments along rivers in cities worldwide are returning river edges to their original state while providing places for the public to access the water for recreation, education, entertainment, and relaxation. Let’s look at the rivers of the world.