The River’s Journey: From Glacier to Delta
A river’s journey begins high in the mountains, where glaciers feed icy streams. These streams merge into rivers that carve canyons and valleys, carrying sediment and nutrients downstream. Along the way, they support ecosystems like riparian forests and wetlands. As rivers reach the sea, they deposit sediment, forming deltas—fertile lands that are home to millions of people. The Mississippi River Delta, for example, provides 20% of the U.S.’s seafood and protects coastal communities from storms. Yet, dams and levees have disrupted sediment flow, causing the delta to shrink by 1,900 km² since 1930. Canoeing down a river, I traced its path from source to sea, marveling at the transformative power of water.