What is a river? Most would answer by saying, "A river is flowing water where living organisms grow and thrive, such as fish and kelp." The Webster's Dictionary, however, states a river is "a natural stream of water of considerable volume." The Rouge River, located in Michigan, has been reduced to the dictionary definition after being channelized. The river is now devoid of life and is highly polluted. Could the reason be channelization?
Alison Skwarski 11th Grader at Dearborn High School, Michigan, USA. I became interested in the Rouge channelization after wondering why the river is in such bad shape. I had heard stories about how beautiful the river was 60 years ago and how everyone enjoyed its beauty. When I discovered the large controversy surrounding the channelization, I became hooked on the topic.
