Written by Margi Moss*
Wednesday, 24 February 2010 12:57
I would like to share with you a few images that I took during the course of the Brasil das Aguas project (2003/04), when we were collecting water samples from numerous rivers and lakes all over Brazil. I had the enormous privilege of seeing the Amazon rainforest from above, in all its glory, and capturing the diversity of the rivers that cross this immense basin - and the works of art that they produce as they carve curvaceous riverbeds on their way to the sea.
São Benedito River 
The crystal-clear waters of the small São Benedito River, which rises in the Serra do Cachimbo, are captivating enough, without the added charms of this forested island surrounded by rapids and waterfalls.
Curuá River
The Curuá River in south-western Pará lies dangerously close to the infamous Highway 163 (Cuiabá-Santarém) and deforestation for cattle-pastures encroaches daily on its pristine forests. It flows into the Iriri and subsequently the Xingu rivers.
Jauaperi River
Brilliant white sand emerges from the dark waters of the Jauaperi River which forms the border between Roraima and Amazonas State, and flows into the Rio Negro.
Curaçá River
How privileged one feels to contemplate the perfection and symmetry of curves like these drawn by the Curuçá River, Amazonas State.
Itaquí River
The Itaquí River meanders across a vast area of apparently-pristine primary forest still standing in south-western Amazonas state.
Paraná do Ramos
The Paraná do Ramos River branches off from the mainstream of the Amazon River not far beyond Itacoatiara and only rejoins the mother river after Parintins.
Tefé River
Tefé River, Amazonas. Why is it that the Amazonian rivers meander so tightly? Because it is an immense basin with a very small gradient, so the rivers are in no great hurry.
Tefé River 2
When the waters are high in the Amazon basin, it often becomes difficult to distinguish between rivers and lakes. Here, the Tefé River enters the upper reaches of Tefé lake and only the taller trees are left to delineate the riverbed.
Curicuriari River
The deep black waters of the Curicuriari River look like liquid tar as they weave across sand-based flood plains to join the Negro River just downstream from São Gabriel da Cachoeira.
Jutaí River
This stretch of the Jutaí River, which crosses a still-remote corner of south-western Amazonas State, looked like a perfect runway for us, travelling in an amphibian aircraft.
Deforested stream in Acre
A small water-course, tributary of the Acre River, once lay hidden in deep forest. It now lies exposed and dying in a swathe of clear-felled fields where a handful of cattle graze. Not even the legally-protected belt of riverine forest has been spared. This example is no exception, on the contrary it is increasingly the rule.
Juruá River
The Juruá River, which flows through Acre and part of Amazonas State, is an endless succession of tight curves, doubling back on themselves. However, a square curve, apart from being an oxymoron, is a rarity by any standards!
Juruá close to Marechal Taumaturgo
The tiny community of Boca do Tejo dwells precariously on a narrowing strip of land between two tight curves of the Juruá River, just opposite the confluence of the Tejo River, western Acre. Having cleared away the riverside vegetation, the villagers are vulnerable to ever-increasing erosion.
Azul River
The Azul River, to be faithful to it's name, would have to be blue, but it is not. It cuts through the remote western corner of Acre, having risen in the Serra do Divisor, on Brazil's border with Peru.
Guaporé River
The Guaporé River weaves its blue-water upper reaches across the Parecis plateau in Mato Grosso and eventually crosses into Rondonia, where it joins the Mamoré, later to become the mighty Madeira River. It forms the border between Rondonia and Bolivia and until the two dams currently under construction on the Madeira spoil this, you can navigate from Vila Bela da Santíssima Trindade all the way to Belem.
Da Costa River
Many Amazonian rivers have deep black waters, produced by the leaching of tannin from decomposing vegetation when the forests flood. In this photo, the Da Costa River aptly draws us a tree as it cuts through the forest.
Teles Pires River
The confluence of the Teles Pires and Verde rivers, in the heart of Mato Grosso, forms a surprising abundance of swirls, so that it is hard to tell, even from above, which river is which and who is running into who.
Juruena River
The Juruena River is one of Brazil's most stunning water courses, once running through pristine landscapes and gracing satellite images with its blue water. Now, agriculture has moved heavily into the area, the rains wash mud into its erstwhile clear waters and numerous small dams are being built along it. A sad demise. The photo shows the upper reaches of the river, on the Parecis plateau.
Cabixi River
The Cabixi River (muddy brown) forms the boundary between the states of Mato Grosso and Rondonia. Here it flows into the Guaporé and takes a while to mix with the darker brown, colder water.
Curisevo River
Curisevo River (Mato Grosso) in the rainy season. Although this stretch is inside the Xingu Indigenous Park, the rivers which feed it are in agricultural areas cleared of their forests, so erosion and run-off turn the rivers muddy brown.
Tamitatoala River
Tamitatoala River (Mato Grosso) it's surroundings still well-preserved, runs through the Xingu Indigenous Park. Note the yellow Ipê trees in flower .
