cover image America by Rivers

America by Rivers

Tim Palmer. Island Press, $19.95 (349pp) ISBN 978-1-55963-263-8

Environmentalists, white-water boating buffs and fisherfolk will welcome this comprehensive survey of American river systems. Photographer and writer Palmer (The Wild and Scenic Rivers of America) addresses the spectrum of rivers in 10 regions; he examines their geology, biology and environmental problems and the efforts made to conserve them. After brief sketches of the principal streams, he explores one of each region's typical rivers by describing a voyage on the water and through the river's basin. Palmer has traveled more than 300 rivers by canoe, raft or kayak; here he highlights the Penobscot (Maine), Potomac (Virginia), Suwannee (Florida), Minnesota, Niobrara (Nebraska), Salmon (Idaho), Rio Grande, American (California), Rogue (Oregon) and Sheenjik (Alaska). This somber assessment of riverine health gives a satisfactory portrait of American rivers. Illustrations. (June)