Rivers of Destiny

Journeys to four major river systems of the world to investigate the environmental problems facing those whose lives depend upon the health of their river. Locations include:

The Mississippi : Upstream towns are ravaged by periodic floods, while the health of the river's Gulf of Mexico fishery is threatened by the loss of nutrient-rich sediments.

The Amazon : Brazilian fishermen struggle to make a living as aquatic life in the world's mightiest river is affected by deforestation.

The Jordan : In the arid landscape of the Middle East, availability of water is determined as much by politics as by the environment.

The Mekong : On a waterway that sustains people from six different nations, the Vietnamese are affected by upstream development and an economic boom.

Topics covered: wildlife habitat, floods, water rights, destruction of the Amazon rain forest, over fishing and the impact of economic development on water resources.

Learn more about this episode of Journey to Planet Earth and watch video exerpts on PBS.org/journeytoplanetearth.