Large bodies of water, such as oceans, seas and large lakes, can affect the climate of an area. Water heats and cools more slowly than landmasses. Therefore, the coastal regions will stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter, thus creating a more moderate climate with a narrower temperature range.

Climate Implications – Lakes, Rivers and Streams As air temperatures rise, so will water temperatures in freshwater systems. Changes in the timing of high and low stream flow creates stress on aquatic plants and animals, decreasing survival rates.

Rivers are losing water for a variety of possible reasons, say the researchers, including the installation of dams and the use of water for agriculture. But in many cases the decrease in flow is because of climate change, which is altering rainfall patterns and increasing evaporation because of higher temperatures.

Sea-level rise due to climate change is poised to shift the way that rivers naturally chart their path to the shoreline. The nature of that change will depend on both the rate of sea-level rise and the sediment load carried by the river, according to new models by Caltech researchers and their colleagues.

Most rivers begin their life high up in the mountains and hills of the world. There are heavy downpours of rain here and perhaps melting snow. Some of the rain soaks into the ground and the rest runs over the surface, collects in pools, then trickles downhill with the force of gravity.

Risk can include getting caught below the surface of the water, especially when rivers rise in the spring and early summer due to snowmelt. Debris, trees, and rocks can also translate to bad conditions for waders, swimmers, paddlers, boaters, anglers, and hikers near the water. Even visibility can be impacted.

Hot, dry conditions and cold, freezing conditions result in hard ground, reducing infiltration and increasing surface runoff, this leads to a reduced lag time and peak discharge. High temperatures can also increase evapotranspiration, reducing the amount of water reaching the river channel and peak discharge.

The results showed that the relative variation of discharge with temperature was slight. The sediment load at T+3°C is increased by 13.58% compared to that at T°C.

The Effect on Water Resources An increase in the air temperature will cause water temperatures to increase as well. As water temperatures increase, water pollution problems will increase, and many aquatic habitats will be negatively affected.

How is river discharge affected by human factors?

1. Impermeable man-made surfaces – Concrete and tarmac can cause rivers in urban drainage basins to have a higher discharge due to higher amounts of surface runoff.
2. Destruction of vegetation (deforestation) – Less infiltration + interception causes more surface run off and increases speed of the water.

Vegetation intercepts precipitation and slows the movement of water into river channels. This increases lag time. Water is also lost due to evaporation and transpiration from the vegetation. This reduces the peak discharge of a river.

Amazon River

Here is a list of five longest rivers of the world

• Nile River: The longest river in the world. Nile River: the longest river in the world (Image: 10mosttoday)
• Amazon River: Second longest and the largest by water flow. Amazon River (Image: 10mosttoday)
• Yangtze River: The longest river in Asia.
• Mississippi-Missouri.
• Yenisei.

Russia

Amazon

Most Dangerous Rivers In the World

• Mississippi River.
• Tarcoles River. Country: Costa Rica.
• Yangtze River. Countries: China.
• River Wharfe. Countries: United Kingdom.
• Parana River. Countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay.
• Vishwamitri River. Countries: India.
• Rio Tinto (Red River) Country: Spain.
• Potomac River. Country: United States.

Swimming in the big rivers (Amazon, Marañon, Ucayali) is generally not a good idea due to strong currents more so than parasites. Swimming in the smaller tributaries, especially black water tributaries and lakes is safe, but don’t swallow the water. The Lakes (Cochas) are probably the safest bet.

As the world’s most heavily silted river, the Huang He is estimated to have flooded some 1,500 times since the 2nd century bce, causing unimaginable death and devastation.

According to local lore, the Strid has a 100 per cent fatality rate when it comes to those who have fallen in while trying to jump between the moss-covered slippery banks. They had set off for a walk near the Wharfe at Bolton Abbey and were never seen alive again.

But below the water’s surface is a deep chasm with powerful undercurrents that pulls anybody that falls into it to certain death. It is believed that not a single person who has fallen into the Strid has ever come out of it alive. Not even their bodies.