WHAT IS A RIVER? EPISODES

Every year, we ask one big question: What is a River? This year, the currents brought us to Dr. Robert Macfarlane—writer & professor—and his newly released book, Is A River Alive?, Dr Macfarlane joined us to explore that very question. From the chalk streams from his home in England to rivers across three continents, Macfarlane pursues his answers. In this episode, we move through his global journey, his new water literacy, and why he calls himself a teacher first. GUESTS Dr Robert Macfarlane,...

In the summer of 2024, the Chilcotin River in British Columbia had a landslide that completely blocked the river creating a natural dam. For the next 6 days the river water backed up behind this dam until the waters finally worked over the top the of the landslide, creating a breach that would exceed the previous historical flows by 5 fold. 3 people share their experience and knowledge of the landslide in this episode. EPISODE GUESTS TŜILHQOT’IN National Government Jenny Philbrick, Executive D...

Our 3rd Annual episode of "What is a River" comes to you from a plane flying above the flooded Yampa River Valley in northwest Colorado. In May 2023, River Radius host Sam Carter joined two geomorphologists and a hometown river guide to fly above the Yampa River when it peaked at 20,000 cfs. This flight and episode learns about the deep value of an un-dammed, free flowing river spreading its waters across the flood plains and pounding down deep sandstone canyons. EPISODE IMAGE Kent Vertrees @po...

What is a River? What is in there, at the micro level? How does water move from the Earth’s surface through the ground, in and out of rivers? How much of the water on the planet is in rivers and how long is it there? This episode of What is a River is our annual episodic interview with an expert in their field. Dr Rebecca Neumann is a professor and researcher at the University of Washington in Seattle where she focuses on Hydrobiogeochemistry. ADVERTISING SPONSOR Alpacka Raft website Instagram...

From the basic to the complex, this episode explores what comprises a river. Is a river more than water? Where does the water come from and where does it go? This episode helps unravel the mysteries of what a river is.

Sacramento Source to Sea started on snow skis in the mountains and are now paddling the Sacramento River in the Central Valley of California closing in on sea level. This non wilderness journey explores a river that grows food for America.