25 Curious River Facts That You Probably Did Not Know

Posted by , Updated on March 22, 2024

You might think a river is just flowing water and not much else, but you’d be mistaken. Quite the contrary, rivers are fascinating entities. It might appear to be simple, but even seemingly simple factors like their origin, their ending point, and the reason they flow in a certain manner often result in profound revelations. First off, how does one determine the length of a river? If there are multiple branches, how do we estimate the width? However, focusing solely on Earth’s rivers lets out a whole lot of wonders, like the rivers found on Saturn’s moon, Titan. Isn’t that astounding? Even more surprising is the critical role rivers have had in shaping your life – probably more than you realize. In fact, the trajectory of human civilization was heavily influenced by rivers. They were the sites of human settlements, routes for goods transport, and served as defensive barriers. Most notably, ancient civilizations formed and evolved around river courses. Rivers continue to play an important part in our lives as modes of transportation and sources of food. These are just some of the 25 Intriguing Facts About Rivers You Might Not Be Aware Of!

Featured Image: pexels

25

Diamonds weren't originally mined. In the past they were found along the bottoms of rivers

Diamonds weren't originally mined. In the past they were found along the bottoms of riversSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
24

There is evidence of an underground river about 4 km beneath the Amazon that is just as long (roughly 6,000 km) but several hundred times wider. It has been named the Rio Hamza.

There is evidence of an underground river about 4 km beneath the Amazon that is just as long (roughly 6,000 km) but several hundred times wider. It has been named the Rio Hamza.Source: guardian.co.uk, Image: wikipedia
23

Every year fireballs erupt from the surface of the Mekong River in Thailand. Known as the Naga fireballs, some people have hypothesized that they are the result of methane gas. They have inspired numerous local legends

Every year fireballs erupt from the surface of the Mekong River in Thailand. Known as the Naga fireballs, some people have hypothesized that they are the result of methane gas. They have inspired numerous local legends though.Source: mnn.com, Image: wikipedia
22

The oldest river in the United States is actually called the New River. Some scientists believe that the only river older is the Nile River in Africa.

The oldest river in the United States is actually called the New River. Some scientists believe that the only river older than it is the Nile River in Africa.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
21

The chocolate river in the movie Willy Wonka was made from real chocolate and water. Because of this it spoiled and left a really bad smell.

The chocolate river in the movie Willy Wonka was made from real chocolate and water. Because of this it spoiled and left a really bad smell.Source: imdb, Image: wikipedia
20

The full moon causes a tidal wave to go shooting up the Amazon River every day for three weeks out of the year. This creates some of the world's longest waves and some surfers have been known to ride them for over 10km!

The full moon causes a tidal wave to go shooting up the Amazon River every day for three weeks out of the year. This creates some of the world's longest waves and some surfers have been known to ride them for over 10km!Source: amazingstuff.co.uk, Image: wikipedia
19

Martin Strel, of Slovenia, swam the full length of the Mississippi, Amazon, Danube, and Yangtze Rivers

Martin Strel, of Slovenia, swam the full length of the Mississippi, Amazon, Danube, and Yangtze RiversSource: openwaterpedia.com, Image: wikipedia
18

The Mongols were so conniving and vicious that they would reroute entire rivers in order to decimate the population of a city they wanted to destroy

The Mongols were so conniving and vicious that they would reroute entire rivers in order to decimate the population of a city they wanted to destroySource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
17

The first bridge over the Amazon River (Rio Negro) opened in 2010

The first bridge over the Amazon River (Rio Negro) opened in 2010Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
16

There are 17 countries in the world that don't have any rivers. Saudi Arabia is the biggest.

There are 17 countries in the world that don't have any rivers. Saudi Arabia is the biggest.Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
15

A river divides one of the safest cities in North America (El Paso, Texas) from one of the most dangerous (Juarez, Mexico)

A river divides one of the safest cities in North America (El Paso, Texas) from one of the most dangerous (Juarez, Mexico)Source: reason.com, Image: wikipedia
14

The Imjin River in South Korea has received the nickname "river of the dead" because so many corpses of North Koreans have come floating down it

The Imjin River in South Korea has received the nickname "river of the dead" because so many corpses of North Koreans have come floating down itSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
13

For about half of the year, and nearly 10 hours per day, the mouth of the Catatumbo River in Venezuela receives hundreds of lightning strikes every hour. This "lightning storm" has happened consistently for hundreds of years

For about half of the year, and nearly 10 hours per day, the mouth of the Catatumbo River in Venezuela receives hundreds of lightning strikes every hour. This "lightning storm" has happened consistently for hundreds of yearsSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
12

There are more than 26,000 tombstones underneath the surface of the Delaware River. When a local cemetery was turned into a parking lot the headstones were used in the foundation of the Betsy Ross Bridge.

There are more than 26,000 tombstones underneath the surface of the Delaware River. When a local cemetery was turned into a parking lot the headstones were used in the foundation of the Betsy Ross Bridge.Source: citylab.com, Image: wikipedia
11

In 1720, when the South Sea Company collapsed, there was a motion in the British parliament to put bankers in snake filled sacks and then throw them into the River Thames.

In 1720, when the South Sea Company collapsed, there was a motion in the British parliament to put bankers in snake filled sacks and then throw them into the River Thames.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
10

The Amazon River has a greater volume of water than the next 7 biggest rivers combined

The Amazon River has a greater volume of water than the next 7 biggest rivers combinedSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
9

The New Madrid Earthquakes (some of the most powerful in US history), were so intense that they actually reversed the flow of the Mississippi River.

The New Madrid Earthquakes (some of the most powerful in US history), were so intense that they actually reversed the flow of the Mississippi River.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
8

The Hudson River is so polluted that scientists study evolutionary processes in its water as organisms learn to adapt

The Hudson River is so polluted that scientists study evolutionary processes in its water as organism learn to adapt,Source: nationageographic, Image: wikipedia
7

The Cuyahoga River in Ohio is another extremely polluted river. In fact, the river itself has lit on fire 13 times!

The Cuyahoga River in Ohio is another extremely polluted river. In fact, the river itself has lit on fire 13 times!Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
6

Around the turn of the 20th century engineers reversed the flow of the Chicago River. To this day it flows in the opposite direction.

Around the turn of the 20th century engineers reversed the flow of the Chicago River. To this day it flows in the opposite direction.Source: apwa.net, Image: wikipedia
5

The most expensive photo ever was of the Rhein River (named Rhein II). It sold in auction for more than $4 million and was heavily photoshopped.

The most expensive photo ever was of the Rhein River (named Rhein II). It sold in auction for more than $4 million and was heavily photoshopped.Source: wikipedia, Image: cea + via Flickr
4

In Germany, there is a water bridge over the River Elbe. It allows ships to cross the river.

In Germany, there is a water bridge over the River Elbe. It allows ships to cross the river.Source: amusingplanet.com, Image: wikipedia
3

A "ghost" river runs under Manhattan. It is known as Minetta Brook and according to legend, some buildings were built with grates in the basement that allowed the river to run through.

A "ghost" river runs under Manhattan. It is known as Minetta Brook and according to legend, some buildings were built with grates in the basement that allowed the river to run through.Source: theparisreview.com, Image: pixabay
2

London has nearly 20 hidden rivers flowing beneath its streets

London has nearly 20 hidden rivers flowing beneath its streetsSource: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
1

There is a river in Australia named Merrica

There is a river in Australia named MerricaSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia