The River Amazon: Whitewaters

Amazonian waters have traditionally been classified as white, black or clear. Whitewater rivers, such as the Rio Solimões, which is the name given to the river Amazon above its confluence with the Rio Negro, carry a high sediment load derived from their headwaters in the Andes. Black and clear water rivers have catchments confined within the Amazonian forest and carry little inorganic sediment. White waters are actually light creamy-brown in colour.

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Ariel view of the River Solimoes (Amazon) in the vicinity of Tefe, Brazil
Aerial view of the River Solimoes (Amazon) in the vicinity of Tefe, Brazil

Aerial view of the Rio Solimoes in the vicinity of Tefe showing varzea floodplain forest. Note the abandoned river channels and the scole-swale topography of the forest.
Aerial view of the Rio Solimoes in the vicinity of Tefe showing varzea floodplain forest. Note the abandoned river channels and the scole-swale topography of the forest

Erosion of the river bank along the edge of the Rio Solimoes with trees about to be swept away
Erosion of the river bank along the edge of the Rio Solimoes with trees about to be swept away

A traditional fish trap built on the edge of the main stream of the river Amazon near Tefe
A traditional fish trap built on the edge of the main stream of the river Amazon near Tefe

Many areas of richer land within the Amazon floodplain have been deforested to make pasture for cattle. Amazonians, like all Brazilians, enjoy beef and the possession of a fine herd of cattle confers high status on the owner
Many areas of richer land within the Amazon floodplain have been deforested to make pasture for cattle. Amazonians, like all Brazilians, enjoy beef and the possession of a fine herd of cattle confers high status on the owner