Rivers

Lake Powell

Op-Ed: Lake Powell No Longer Needed

Eric Balken makes the case that Lake Powell, anchored in place by the Glen Canyon Dam, is too inefficient a reservoir during times of water scarcity. Lake Mead, he says, is more than up to the task.

December 11, 2015 - High Country News

Poor Urban Planning at Heart of Devastation in India's Torrential Rains

The death toll from the torrential rains in Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu state, and the surrounding region has climbed to 345 as of Dec. 4. While the scope of the rains are unprecedented, poor urban planning has been linked to the devastation.

December 8, 2015 - Los Angeles Times

Real Time Data Monitoring Salmon Populations in Drought-Stricken Pacific Northwest

Indian Tribes in the Pacific Northwest are using real time data to monitor and support salmon populations on rivers impacted by water and power infrastructure along with the region's ongoing drought.

August 28, 2015 - Northwest Treaty Tribes

Take a Digital Tour of Pennsylvania's Urban Waterfronts

Keystone Crossroads has produced an interactive series about Pennsylvania's urban waterfronts. A storymap and in-depth reporting provide waterfront access from afar.

August 12, 2015 - Keystone Crossroads

'Most Endangered River' in the United States: the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon

American Rivers' list of the "Most Endangered" U.S. rivers provides an annual reminder of the abuse waterways bear in the name of the country's economy and culture.

April 7, 2015 - American Rivers

Los Angeles River flood

Friday Eye Candy: Time-Lapse Shows How Rivers Meander

"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." -Heraclitus, as quoted by Plato in Cratylus.

February 6, 2015 - Vox

Dam Removal Goes Mainstream

In 20 years, dam removal has gone from a "fringe notion" to "wide acceptance." National Geographic explains how and why this sea change occurred.

January 28, 2015 - National Geographic

Sans Litter Ban, Tubers Trash Rivers in Texas

Tubers and tourists had their right to litter protected by a district judge in Texas. What they got as a result was…a lot more litter.

July 11, 2014 - New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung

River Map Better

Meet the Creek that Splits the United States in Half

Move over Panama Canal, there’s another waterway that connects one side of the continent to the other. These waters part ways in Wyoming.

April 23, 2014 - Sploid

Healing Rivers By (Voluntarily) Limiting Development

A voluntary program of incentives for land owners along the two rivers in Oregon, the Mckenzie River east of Eugene and the Rogue River near Medford, provides incentives for maintaining natural conditions along the river bed.

March 11, 2014 - KUOW

Most U.S. Rivers Are Polluted, and Getting Worse

A new study conducted by the EPA shows that 55 percent of the nation's rivers are in "poor" condition, and only 21 percent are rated as "good" and "healthy biological communities." Farm and industrial pollution are to blame.

March 28, 2013 - The Atlantic Wire

Preservation Challenges Face Taj Mahal

Pollution is threatening the structural integrity of the Taj Mahal, prompting local officials to scramble for ways to preserve the historic site.

September 1, 2011 - Smithsonian

A Pool in the River

This Kickstarter campaign is hoping to raise money to build a floating pool in the waters around New York City that use and filter river water to provide a public swimming facility.

June 18, 2011 - Kickstarter

Envisioning a Lush Mexico City

Two architects submit a plan to Mexico City planners that includes bringing the Río Piedad back to life and revitalizing the city with green public spaces along its waters.

June 3, 2011 - The New York Times

Mississippi River Course Change Likely

By analyzing maps and topographical information, this post from Data Pointed shows how the Mississippi River is likely to change course and head towards lower ground.

May 25, 2011 - Data Pointed

Questions of Salmon and Energy in Western Rivers

Plans to use western rivers to transport oil production equipment are butting against environmentalists' concerns over endangered salmon.

February 22, 2011 - The New York Times

Planning a Future for Pittsburgh's Riverfront

The city of Pittsburgh has released a new plan focusing on revitalizing the Allegheny Riverfront, with proposed new housing, retail and public spaces.

February 17, 2011 - The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bridge Plan Rejected in Favor of Cheaper Alternatives

Long-held plans for a new bridge over the Columbia River between Portland and Vancouver, Washington, have been thrown out by a panel of experts who have suggested cheaper alternatives.

February 9, 2011 - The Oregonian

Cities, Not Farms, At Fault For Bay Pollution

Cities, not the agriculture heavy Central Valley, are the source of most of the runoff and pollution that enters the San Francisco Bay, according to a new report.

October 6, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

A Museum-Based Charrette on Riverfront Revitalization

A new museum exhibit in Vermont invites visitors to review various proposals for updating the riverfront in Brattleboro -- and allows them to submit their own ideas.

September 22, 2010 - Change Observer

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.