Canadian Waterways Season 1 Episode 2 Mighty Rivers

Canadian Waterways is an exploration show that takes viewers on a journey throughout Canada's waterways as it highlights the wonders and beauty of these living and dynamic systems in its own unique way. Season 1, episode 2, called Mighty Rivers, stretches our journey to explore some of the most remarkable Canadian rivers, such as the Mackenzie, the St Laurence, and the Athabasca, to name a few.

Mighty Rivers begins with a journey down the Mackenzie river, the longest river system in Canada, with a distance of over 4,200 km, from its source to the mouth of the river in the Arctic Ocean. Viewers get to learn about the history, geography and wildlife of Mackenzie, a river system that influences the lives of several Canadians in different ways. The show depicts the vast and rugged Mackenzie Valley, home to moose, wolves, and grizzly bears. Viewers see how the flow of the river creates a vital energy source for Northern Canada.

The show then moves to the St. Lawrence River, one of the most essential freshwater systems in North America that connects the great lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. Canadian Waterways visits Quebec City, the oldest walled city in Canada, and once the capital of New France. Viewers see how the mighty river formed the landscape and shaped the region's history, culture and economy. We see the ship, the Manawan, which was once the only way for the Great Lakes region to trade with the Atlantic. The crew of Canadian Waterways reveals the thriving fisheries and the ecosystem that the river provides. They also explain how this historic river holds the potential for sustainable hydro-electric power.

The third part of the episode explores the Athabasca River, the longest river in Alberta, and the quantity of water it carries as it flows through the province. The Athabasca is over 1200 km long, starting from the Columbia Icefield and flowing northeast. The episode showcases the diversity of fish and bird life that thrive along the river. The forest alongside the river also provides ripe pickings for animals such as bears, foxes and coyotes that live by the riverside. Canadian Waterways depicts the importance of the Athabasca river system to the oil industry, the struggles it creates for indigenous communities, and the threats it can face from pollution.

Canadian Waterways: Mighty River ends by bringing attention to the role all Canadian rivers play within ecosystems, economies and communities across the country. This episode has journeyed through three mighty Canadian rivers, unveiling the mysteries that lay beneath their murky waters and the tales they tell of Canada's past, present, and future. As the episode wraps up, the show urges viewers to pay more attention to the vital role that these mighty rivers play in our lives and to understand the multitude of ways in which we are all connected to them. With stunning visuals throughout, Mighty River is an educational and awe-inspiring episode that adds a new perspective on the significance of Canada's waterways.