America's Waterways | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/americas-waterways/RSS feed for America's WaterwaysenTue, 10 Mar 2026 15:13:40 +0000Would You Jump Into Your Local River? Swimmable Cities May Be Within Reach as Once-Polluted Waterways Are Restoredhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/would-you-jump-into-your-local-river-swimmable-cities-may-be-within-reach-as-once-polluted-waterways-are-restored-180988317/Efforts to improve the “swimmability” of urban areas are gaining global traction, from Paris to ChicagoTue, 10 Mar 2026 15:13:40 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/would-you-jump-into-your-local-river-swimmable-cities-may-be-within-reach-as-once-polluted-waterways-are-restored-180988317/The History of America Flows Through the Hudson River, and the Country’s Aquatic Superhighway Is on the Reboundhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/history-america-flows-through-hudson-river-countrys-aquatic-superhighway-rebound-180987625/The bucolic river is famous for reversing its current a few times each day. Now, an ongoing cleanup effort is reversing decades of industrial contaminationMon, 17 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/history-america-flows-through-hudson-river-countrys-aquatic-superhighway-rebound-180987625/In 1907, This Daring Performer Walked on Water From Cincinnati to New Orleans, Covering Nearly 1,600 Miles in 40 Dayshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/in-1907-this-daring-performer-walked-on-water-from-cincinnati-to-new-orleans-covering-nearly-1600-miles-in-40-days-180987576/Charles Oldrieve used custom-made wooden shoes to float on the water's surface and propel himself forwardThu, 30 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/in-1907-this-daring-performer-walked-on-water-from-cincinnati-to-new-orleans-covering-nearly-1600-miles-in-40-days-180987576/Why Is This Remote and Rugged River in Alaska Turning Orange?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-is-this-remote-and-rugged-river-in-alaska-turning-orange-180987431/New research suggests the Salmon River is full of toxic metals that are likely harming fish and other aquatic creaturesWed, 01 Oct 2025 20:56:58 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-is-this-remote-and-rugged-river-in-alaska-turning-orange-180987431/This Invasive Vampire Fish Is Helping Researchers Understand the Human Nervous System in Jaw-Dropping Wayshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/this-invasive-vampire-fish-is-helping-researchers-understand-the-human-nervous-system-in-jaw-dropping-ways-180987356/The sea lamprey looks like it’s from another planet, but this ancient creature has a surprising amount in common with humansFri, 26 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/this-invasive-vampire-fish-is-helping-researchers-understand-the-human-nervous-system-in-jaw-dropping-ways-180987356/Oysters Tell a Surprising Story of New Jersey’s Past—and a Perfect Way to Experience its Presenthttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/sponsored/oysters-tell-a-surprising-story-of-new-jerseys-pastand-a-perfect-way-to-experience-its-present-180986916/These remarkable bivalves have long connected New Jersey’s people to its waters—today, they offer a delicious gateway into the state’s maritime past and sustainable future.Fri, 15 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/sponsored/oysters-tell-a-surprising-story-of-new-jerseys-pastand-a-perfect-way-to-experience-its-present-180986916/Alaska's Rivers Are Turning Orange as Thawing Permafrost Releases Metals Into Waterwayshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/alaskas-rivers-are-turning-orange-as-thawing-permafrost-releases-metals-into-waterways-180984408/A new study identifies at least 75 Arctic streams where minerals, especially iron, are staining water with a rusty hueFri, 24 May 2024 20:31:10 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/alaskas-rivers-are-turning-orange-as-thawing-permafrost-releases-metals-into-waterways-180984408/Hundreds of Thousands of Salmon Die After Release in Northern California's Klamath Riverhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hundreds-of-thousands-of-salmon-die-after-release-in-northern-californias-klamath-river-180983914/The juvenile Chinook salmon likely died from pressure changes as they swam through an old tunnel in the Iron Gate Dam, slated to be removed this year as part of a massive demolition projectFri, 08 Mar 2024 17:26:23 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hundreds-of-thousands-of-salmon-die-after-release-in-northern-californias-klamath-river-180983914/Citizen Scientists Document a Recovering Colorado Riverhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/citizen-scientists-document-a-recovering-colorado-river-180983532/The Returning Rapids Project charts a resurgent waterway and its surrounding ecosystemsThu, 25 Jan 2024 13:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/citizen-scientists-document-a-recovering-colorado-river-180983532/Hear What’s Happening to the Colorado River From a Photojournalist Who Has Spent His Entire Life Alongside Ithttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/hear-whats-happening-to-the-colorado-river-from-a-photojournalist-who-has-spent-entire-life-alongside-it-180982685/In the latest episode of “There’s More to That,” learn about the Western waterway that affects the lives of everyone in the United StatesThu, 10 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/hear-whats-happening-to-the-colorado-river-from-a-photojournalist-who-has-spent-entire-life-alongside-it-180982685/