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rapids, then quietly hustled over the flat but fast-
moving waters with all the flotsam until each 
reaches a destination of her choosing. She aligns 
and positions her big wood in such a way to provide 
for her future needs. Each angle and direction is 
determined by the floodwater’s natural energy and 
the weight, shape and size of the logs. They serve 
like boulders to break the velocity and forces of 
future floods. Next time the river sends a torrent of 
water down, these hulks of ancient big wood are 
still there. Plants will re-establish on the backsides 
of these huge, protective, waterlogs. Sometimes 
they create deep pools behind them, where fish can 
grow and thrive. Sometimes they redirect and turn 
the flow of her waters, allowing the river to 
meander and adapt as she will. 
And all those drifts and piles of smaller bits and 
pieces? All the live and dead plants, sticks, leaves 
and ground-up tree bark; gravel, silt, and sands are 
part of her plan, too. That’s her way of spreading 
good compost that quickly converts to organic soil. 
Those are her special homegrown seeds. Native 
plants naturally being spread out in special ways 
along her banks.
That’s just what rivers do.
But, what is it that people do?
Upland Prairie 
Sponge
 
Precious few 
hillsides are covered 
with little bluestem, 
indiangrass and 
sideoats. 
Our deep-rooted 
prairies on the hills 
and plateaus used 
to help catch every 
raindrop to feed the 
aquifers,  which feed 
the springs, which 
feed the rivers.
© Jim Richardson
“Everything we do on the land is eventually reflected in a river.         
     That’s why it’s so important to think about the whole landscape,                 
          how big & little pieces fit together.”  ~  Sky Lewey 

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