RIVER SCENE OUTDOOR WATER CULTURE
CLEAN RIVERS | TRAVEL | WATER SUPPLY | PHOTOGRAPHY
DEFINING A RIVER’S PURPOSE Rivers around the world are home to a large variety of plants and animals and support entire ecosystems.
Why do rivers enthrall us? Maybe it’s because they’re teeming with life—everything from nibbling midges to flashing kingfishers and trout and salmon wiggling beneath the ripples. Perhaps it’s because water is so central to our existence and so vital to life. Possibly it’s to do with the tranquility of a river; in countryside or in cities, the sight of water has an instantly calming effect. All these things come to mind, instinctively or very consciously, whenever we think of rivers or spend time near them swimming, fishing, boating, or canoeing.
What is a river? Water is constantly circulating between Earth’s surface (the land and oceans that make up our planet) and the atmosphere up above in a never-ending conveyor belt called the water cycle. Rivers are the main parts of the conveyor that carry water from the higher parts of Earth (the mountains and hills that we call uplands) to the lower parts (lakes and seas). You can think of rivers as drains, if you like: channels with fairly well defined banks, carved through millennia,
that can be thin and shallow or very deep and wide. Powered by gravity, rivers are always flowing downhill (even when they look absolutely flat, they’re really flowing down a gentle incline). Unlike seas, which are salty, rivers are filled with freshwater to which the lives of many different creatures (insects, animals, and humans too) have become perfectly adapted. Far from the oceans, rivers bring the and to life.
How rivers flow Think of a huge torrent of water flowing under the power of gravity, for thousands of years. Like the water from a pressure washer, it has enough energy to cut sediment from the hills of its upper reaches and carry it down to the middle and lower reaches. Rivers gradually slow down because the water has to overcome friction as it flows—friction as the moving water rubs against the banks and bottom of the river channel itself and friction as layers of water flow past one another. The rate at which a river flows is also affected by the climate
and the seasons. Some smaller streams (known as winterbornes) dry up entirely in summer. Humans also have a huge effect on river flows through abstraction (removing water for many different uses), from irrigation (watering crops in the countryside) to supplying factories and homes with the water they need.
Why do rivers matter to people? Thousands of years ago, human settlements grew up around great rivers such as the Tigris and Euphrates in the Middle East—and this was how modern civilization began. Rivers remain, in a sense, the “open pipes” that supply many towns and cities with the water people need. Rivers have also been hugely important in helping people travel across Earth, especially before modern roads were constructed, both for exploration and trade.
People have been harnessing the energy in rivers since ancient times and modern-day environmental problems such as global warming have led to renewed interest in such things as hydroelectric power (made by damming rivers and forcing them to flow at high-speed past turbines to generate electricity). Rivers are incredibly important to people, but we’ve not always looked after them properly. Removing sand and gravel from river beds for building materials can damage them, for example, while pouring untreated sewage and other wastewater into rivers causes pollution, lowers water quality, and reduces how much life they can support. Lots of people use them for recreation, from fishing and canoeing to walking their dogs along riverbanks. Many people have formed themselves into community groups to help keep their rivers clean and protect them from damaging industrial developments.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND RIVERS A river is a natural stream of water that flows along a channel to another water body such as another river, lake, or ocean. Rivers are referred to as streams, brooks, creeks, tributaries, courses, waterways, or if you live in Scotland, it’s a burn, or in England it’s a beck. Rivers can be found all around the world on every continent. They range in size from short streams to rivers such as the Nile, which is 4132 miles long (and the world’s longest river). Most rivers contain freshwater although many flow into salt water. Rivers begin at higher points of land, called their source. They flow downward towards another body of water, collecting more water along the way from the drainage basin that feeds it, or they dry up before ever reaching a mouth. Some rivers are fed from underground water sources that are released on the surface. These underground water sources are called springs. Throughout history the land along rivers have been popular sites for locating cities because they can supply water for many purposes such as food, drinking, irrigation, recreation, fishing, and transportation. They are even used for creating energy today.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEAN WATER Fresh water is one of our most vital resources, and when our water is polluted it is not only devastating to the environment, but also to human health. The US relies on public water systems to treat and deliver just over 44 billion gallons of clean water each day to our homes, schools and businesses. Much of that water comes from rivers, lakes and other surface water sources. Before it is delivered to our homes it is treated to remove chemicals, particulates (soot and silt) and bacteria. This clean, potable water is then used for cooking, drinking, cleaning, bathing, watering our lawns and so forth.
“The US relies on public water systems to treat and deliver just over 44 billion gallons of clean water each day to our homes, schools and businesses.” Those that are served by the city or public sanitation systems have to rely on sewers to keep untreated wastewater from being released into the environment where it could potentially contaminate our drinking water sources and the natural environment. When the water goes down the drain or is flushed down the toilet, it usually enters a sewer system where it travels to a treatment plant. The plant treats the wastewater and removes solid waste and other contaminants before releasing the treated water it into the environment. Depending on the type of treatment the wastewater receives, water that is released could have different levels of quality from the water body into which it is released.
Even though our local and federal governments make large investments each year to keep our water clean and safe, our water systems still do not receive the amount of funding needed to keep them working properly. A 2007 EPA survey found that water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the country will need a total of $334.8 billion for the 20-year period from January 2007 through December 2027. Unfortunately, during fiscal year 2012, allotments from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund G totaled only $1.5 billion for all states. As a result of underfunding, much of our aging infrastructure either doesn’t work properly or is in need of upgrades, all while strained by a growing population, economic development and climate change variability.
One result of underfunding a much need water infrastructure is massive water main breaks. For Example, in 2010, a massive core break in Boston led to an order for the public to boil water that affected 2 million people. According to a 2012 report by The American Water Works Association, restoring, replacing and expanding our existing water systems to accommodate a growing population will cost at least $1 trillion over the next 25 years, if we expect to simply tread water and maintain current levels of service.
ALMOST HALF OF THE WATER ON THE PLANET IS DRAINED INTO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN
HOW TO GET INVOLVED Clean water is a great example of something that depends on energy. And if you solve the water problem, you solve the food problem.
REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE Ultimately, rivers are a vital part of living. They tell a story, provide geologic, ecological, biological, and human history, shape culture and societies, provide transport, purity, and more. A deep respect for the river is cultural and together we can work. How can you help protect rivers at home?
• Participate in Meatless Mondays. It takes about 600 gallons of water to make a hamburger patty.
• Use biodegradable cleaning products and earth-friendly body products. All of that and chemicals get washed down the drain and back to the rivers.
• Keep your car repaired. When oil leaks from our cars it is eventually sent down storm drains and ends up in the watershed.
• Pick up trash and toss in the recycling or garbage cans. Trash is washed down storm sewers and back to the rivers.
• Time your showers. At 5 gallons per minute, a 10 minute shower uses 50 gallons of water.
• Compost and contain yard waste. Too much organic material clogs streams and when it breaks down, it can upset up the water chemistry.
• Turn off lights not in use. Energy production requires water to cool thermal power plants.
• Do something. Why not take it a step further and volunteer for a river or lake cleanup day project?
WATER SUPPLY Nowhere is the relationship between healthy ecosystems and healthy people more apparent than in the global water system. Clean water is the single most important building block of ecosystems around the world and it’s also our most valuable resource. However, contamination of the world’s waters leaves 2.5 billion people without access to sanitized water sources. Because global water conditions are declining, more people will soon have to rely on polluted water sources unless we clean our water supply. Recycle Used Items Properly disposing of items that cannot be recycled -- keeps them from making their way to rivers and oceans. Even cigarette butts have a dramatic environmental effect when people drop them on the ground at a beach or riverside area. Minimize Chemical Use Eliminating or minimizing your use of harsh chemicals provides the surest way to protect global waters from chemicals. When chemicals leach into a body of water, they can devastate ecosystems. Reduce Water Use Lower your water usage to keep water supplies cleaner by reducing chemicals used in treatment. It keeps water available in aquifers for the times when people really need it, ensuring that more water won’t be drained from the ecosystem.
KEEP IT CLEAN
RIVERS MEAN BEAUTY Travel through Soca Valley: the real-life Narnia. If the Soca river in Slovenia isn’t the most beautiful river on this planet, it is most certainly in the running. Nicknamed “The Emerald Beauty,” it has appeared in multiple well-known poems and inspired awe in many a wanderer and tourist. The nickname is, as the photos below attest to, well-deserved. It is one of the rare rivers that maintains an emerald-green or even bluish color all the way down its 138 kilometers (~86 miles), making it a favorite of landscape photographers the world over.
Above: Fast water flowing BL: Soca River Snow R: Narrow Soca cliffs
In addition to a wealth of natural beauty, the valley of the most beautiful Slovenian river also preserves the shocking heritage of World War I. Here, you can make unforgettable
The River Soča, which has a distinct emerald green color, is considered to be one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe. holiday memories by experiencing nature, and you can explore the heritage of conflict and thus be reminded to preserve peace. The Soča (pronounced So-cha) river springs from limestone mountains in the north western part of the Julian Alps. Flowing majestically alongside mountain meadows, through steep gorges and under towering mountains until it reaches Italy, becoming the Isonzo then ending its lengthy journey into the Adriatic sea. Apart from its setting, what makes this river so amazing and memorable is its vivid emerald green colour and gin clear water. So unique and extraordinary is this area that is was awarded the ‘European Destination of Excellence’ in 2008 by the European commission. The first of four areas (Kolpa River, Idrija and Solčavsko Region) here in Slovenia. The diversity and culture of the river and valley is reflected in the amount of things to see and do. There is something for everybody whether you like fly-fishing, mountain biking, a quiet stroll alongside meadows and rivers or hiking in the mountains. Or if you prefer something to get the adrenaline going there is white water rafting, kayaking, Paragliding, canyoning, and much more.
TRAVELING
WITH PLEASURE Most major cities are situated along some body of water, usually a river or two, often a lake or the ocean. There’s a good reason for this: waterways played an important role historically as transportation links for people and freight. Boats provide a unique opportunity to improve urban transportation because their use requires very little construction spending. With water views and fresh air, water taxis could be an appealing alternative to more mainstream forms of transit.
VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY
There are many reasons for shooting rivers and streams in landscape photography and there’s a lot involved, so here’s a start.
Part One Being in the landscape regularly will inevitably lead you along rivers or creeks. A lot of joy can be found being immersed in a shot from within a river. The bubbling rushing sounds, water drop splashes, glowing mossy rocks and birds whooshing along catching insects are some of the many highlights. You really do feel alive photographing from a stream and often the challenges it presents are well worth overcoming as the visual rewards can be fabulous. Compositionally water presents excellent opportunities for a photograph such as making leading lines to another subject – like a mountain or waterfall. The patterns and shapes made by flowing water offer endless possibilities and can be the main subject in themselves. You will sometimes find S shapes and curves which are sought after compositional devices. Looking closely and exploring will reap visual rewards and you may see reflections plus reflected colors which help build a composition if the water isn’t too fast flowing. If you are lucky and the sun is shining at the right angle, water spray can form rainbow prisms which can make welcome color splashes too!
Part Two Eventually you will want to get into the river or creek you are photographing, it happens to everyone. Unless you’re going to drown. Stay out if you intend to drown – yes it can be dangerous. Often the best compositional leading lines and action is from within the river, there’s no getting away from the fact you will want to get in at some point. When you do decide to take the plunge, you’ll want to consider investing in appropriate footwear because if you wear your regular hiking shoes they will fall apart quickly. Another essential tip is to generally avoid the sky. As a rule of thumb avoid the sky as it will probably be blown out. Don’t forget to experiment with your shutter speed. Use the right speed for the water you are shooting; if there is a fast flow it could be quicker or you may want a slow dreamy look. Exposure is critical. Generally the brightest part of the image will be the fastest flowing water, using this will make for a solid exposure baseline. As always, watch the weather. Shooting water can be done on any day, but partially cloudy are generally the best. Following these steps are a sure fire way to capture some stunning river photos.