Geography Of The World
The Largest Lakes West Of The Rockies
Saltier than the ocean, perched on an active earthquake fault, or ringed by polar bears, the largest lakes west of the Rockies defy the alpine postcard.
How Many Undiscovered Species Are In The Sea?
Scientists estimate that half a million to 2 million marine species remain unknown, while much of the deep seafloor has never been seen.
The Best Catfish Lakes In The United States
Where do America's record catfish come from? Ten US reservoirs grow trophy blue, channel, and flathead cats, backed by state fisheries data.
The Most Isolated Lakes On Earth
The most notable of the isolated lakes are named, mapped, and certainly studied, but to most people, they remain completely inaccessible.
How Much Of The Ocean Is Still Unexplored
How Much Of The Ocean Is Still Unexplored depends on the question, since only about a third of the seafloor is mapped and far less has ever been seen.
The Cargo Great Lakes Freighters Carry The Most
Many are shocked when they realize the true scale of the Great Lakes, which can appear more like oceans. Here's the cargo freighters carry on it the most.
The Sea Creatures That Outlived The Dinosaurs
Non-avian dinosaurs vanished 66 million years ago, but the oceans still hold survivors from much older chapters of Earth’s history.
The Difference Between A Reservoir And A Lake
What's the difference between a reservoir and a lake? A lake is natural; a reservoir is a man-made, dammed lake. Why Lake Mead and Lake Powell aren't lakes.
The Oldest Dams In The US
Of the nearly 100,000 dams in the United States, all of the four oldest can be found in Massachusetts, and were created in the 1600s.
What Happens If The Rio Grande Stops Reaching The Gulf
The Rio Grande already fails to reach the Gulf some years. If it stops for good: a drinking-water crisis for millions, dead farms, and a collapsing delta.
The Largest River Deltas in North America
Nine of the largest river deltas in North America, and why federal agencies cannot agree on how big any of them actually are.
How Big Alaska Is Compared To The Lower 48
Alaska is one fifth the size of the Lower 48 and bigger than Texas, California and Montana combined. Why the maps you grew up with got it wrong twice.
The Shallowest Large Lakes In The United States
The Shallowest Large Lakes In The United States begin with Mattamuskeet in North Carolina, which covers 63 square miles but averages just 18 inches deep.
How Many Miles Of Shoreline Do The Great Lakes Have?
How Many Miles Of Shoreline Do The Great Lakes Have? About 10,200 in all, ranging from Lake Ontario's 712 miles to Lake Huron's chart-topping 3,827.
What Happens If The Colorado River Stops Reaching Lake Mead
Lake Mead is the largest US reservoir. Here is what would happen to Southwest water, farms and power if the Colorado River stopped reaching it.
The Ocean Animals That Have Attacked Boats
Learn which ocean animals have attacked or damaged boats, from sperm whales and swordfish to sharks and orcas, and why these encounters happen.
The Lakes Where Bluegill Reach Record Size
Most bluegill weigh under a pound, but these eight public lakes have produced record-book giants, from a 2-pound catch to a 4-pound world record.
Why Lake Erie Turns Green Every Summer
Learn why western Lake Erie turns green each summer, how harmful algal blooms affect health, and what is being done to reduce phosphorus runoff.
The US Waters Where Flesh-Eating Bacteria Have Been Found
Vibrio vulnificus has been found from the Gulf Coast to Long Island Sound, and the range is moving north 30 miles a year. Where it is, and who is actually at risk.
How Much Of The United States Is Covered By Water?
Only about 7% of the US is water, yet the Great Lakes, Alaska, and a few big rivers do far more than that number suggests.
The Rivers Where Walleye Grow Largest
Rivers hold the most walleye and rarely the biggest. Where river walleye actually grow large, from the Columbia to the Detroit, and the record that got un-disqualified.
What Would Happen If Lake Superior Overflowed
See how extreme high water in Lake Superior could flood shorelines, accelerate erosion, strain infrastructure, and raise downstream lakes.
How Much Water The Amazon Carries Compared To The Mississippi
How much bigger is the Amazon than the Mississippi? About 12 times the water. The Amazon carries a fifth of all river flow on Earth. The wild numbers, explained.
The US Reservoirs Closest To Being Refilled
Which US reservoirs are closest to full? In 2026, Lake Oroville hit 99% and refilled three years running. The Western comeback, and the holdouts like Lake Powell.
The US Lakes You Should Not Swim In
A lake can look perfect from shore and still fail every safety test. Here are 10 US lakes where algae and toxin advisories make swimming a risky call.
The Most Polluted Reservoirs In The United States
They still look like fine places to fish and swim, yet mercury, PCBs, and PFAS keep building in the water. The most polluted US reservoirs, explained.
What Happens If The Mississippi Jumps Into The Atchafalaya
The Mississippi is trying to jump into the Atchafalaya, and only one structure stops it. What happens to New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and the US if it wins.
What Happens If Lake Powell Drops Below Its Power Intakes
Cross a single line on the gauge and Glen Canyon Dam stops making power, reshaping who pays for Colorado River water and what survives downstream.
The Deadliest Beaches In America
The water looks ordinary right up until it kills someone. Rip currents, brutal shore break, sharks, and lightning define America's deadliest beaches.
The Lakes Where Snakeheads Are Spreading
The air-breathing "Frankenfish" is invading US waters. From the Potomac to Arkansas and New York's lakes, here's where snakeheads are spreading, and why.
The Deepest Shipwreck Ever Found In The Great Lakes
The Great Lakes’ deepest known shipwreck rests in near-total darkness far below the surface, where cold water preserved a vessel lost for generations.
The American Waters With The Most Sea Life
The marine life found in these American waters is abundant, featuring humpback whales, vibrant and colorful schools of fish, and more.
The Reservoirs Out West That May Never Refill
Drought is only part of the story here. Here is why a handful of reservoirs across the American West may never fill to the old line on the map again.
5 Most Snake-Filled Bodies Of Water In Kansas
Kansas wetlands and rivers shelter watersnakes, ribbonsnakes, and western massasaugas across five top wildlife-rich locations.
The Lakes Where Bowfin Grow Largest
The bowfin world record has stood since 1980 at 21 pounds. Where these prehistoric fish grow largest, and the 2022 study that split them into two species.
What Would Happen If All The Ice In The Ocean Melted
What Would Happen If All The Ice In The Ocean Melted? Coastlines would vanish, ocean currents would stall, and Earth itself would spin a little slower.
Why Lake Okeechobee Is So Hard To Manage
Lake Okeechobee has a unique climate and collection of manmade structures that make it particularly difficult to manage.
The Only Lakes With Freshwater Stingrays
Freshwater stingrays live far from the ocean in rare South American lakes where tropical floodwaters create an unexpected underwater world.
Why Scientists Added A Fifth Ocean
Discover why the Southern Ocean is recognized as the fifth ocean and what makes the waters surrounding Antarctica unlike anywhere else on Earth.
The Lakes Where Carp Reach Enormous Sizes
Discover eight North American lakes and reservoirs that have produced giant common carp, including verified catches exceeding 40, 50, and even 60 pounds.