Watch Lost Rivers

Lost Rivers is a 2012 documentary that shines a light on the hidden underground waterways of large cities worldwide. The film takes us on a journey with urban exploration enthusiast Caroline Bacle and other experts as they dive into these lost rivers and uncover their significance to the development and history of cities. Directed by Montreal-based filmmaker Caroline Bâcle, Lost Rivers aims to bring awareness to the often-overlooked underground waterways that run beneath our cities. The film is a thought-provoking and visually stunning exploration of the power of water and its integral link to city life.

Throughout the film, Caroline Bacle and a team of experts investigate the history and current state of five different underground rivers that have been covered and forgotten over time. Starting in Bacle's hometown of Montreal, the film takes us to Brussels, Yonkers, London, and the Catacombs of Paris, where we get a glimpse of the rivers that once were the lifeblood of these cities.

The film is structured as a series of chapters, each focusing on a particular city and its lost river. In Montreal, Bacle and company explore the city's "Lost River of Saint-Pierre," which was covered over in the 19th century to make room for the expanding city. The group navigates through the sewers and tunnels of Montreal, meeting with local experts and historians who offer insights into how the river shaped the city.

In Brussels, the team tackle the infamous "Senne" river which runs underground through the city. The Senne was once a vital source of water and transport for the city's industry, but has since become a mere sewer. The film shows experts discussing the potential for re-invigorating the river and cleaning it up for use. This proves a difficult task, however, as the river is polluted and clogged with debris.

In Yonkers, New York, the team uncovers the Saw Mill River, which had been buried beneath a parking lot for years. Thanks to the efforts of local activism, however, the river has been restored and revitalized. The film highlights how community groups can work together to help restore their environment and improve their quality of life.

The film also visits the unfamiliar Catacombs of Paris, showcasing the city's unconventional Lost River. Although it's not a river in the traditional sense, the underground tunnels and quarries have historically been used to divert water and can be seen as an integral part of the city's water history.

Finally, the team visits the Thames in London, one of the world's most famous rivers. In London, the river had been covered over through a process known as "culverting," which led to the rise in cholera, due to the polluted water. Today, the river is being restored and reinvigorated through community activism and concerted efforts by government to improve water quality.

Overall, Lost Rivers offers a fascinating look at the hidden waterways that run beneath the world's biggest cities. It offers an important message about the need to protect and preserve our environment, and the potential for community-led restoration. The film is beautifully shot, and Bacle offers an enthusiastic, informative, and entertaining look at these once lost but now discovered waterways.

Lost Rivers is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 12 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.