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Tunga River —

The Tunga River, which stretches 91 miles in southern India, is "always calm, deep and never roars or rushes," according to iReporter Sujay Govindaraj. He shot this serene photo at the Sakrebailu Elephant Camp in Karnataka, India.

Courtesy Sujay Govindaraj

Bighorn River —

David Palmer has visited Bighorn River for years. The Yellowstone tributary stretches 461 miles and runs through Wyoming and Montana. As a fishing guide, the Montana resident spends six months each season on the river. He said one of the reasons this river is so special is because it is filled with aquatic life. "It is one of the most popular fly fishing destinations," he said.

Courtesy David Palmer

Gardon River —

CNN's Jethro Mullen spent time on the Gardon River in southern France while visiting friends who live nearby. His favorite feature is the Pont du Gard aqueduct, built by Romans in the first century. He called it "a majestic work of engineering and a reminder of the long history of human activity around the river."

Jethro Mullen/CNN

Mississippi River —

Neal Moore spent five months paddling the Mississippi River, from Minnesota to New Orleans. He filed iReports about his trip along the way and eventually turned his experiences into a book.

Courtesy Neal Moore

Indus and Zanskar Rivers —

During a trip to India, the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers stood out as a highlight for Pramod Kanakath. He described the scene as breathtaking. "It was nothing but viewing the Himalayas and breathing fresh air and standing at a site where a civilization took shape."

Courtesy Pramod Kanakath

High Falls State Park in Georgia is named for the beautiful waterfalls on the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1150370">Towaliga River</a>. About an hour south of Atlanta, the park is a popular camping and fishing destination. Visitors can even stay in a waterfront yurt!

Towaliga River —

High Falls State Park in Georgia is named for the beautiful waterfalls on the Towaliga River. About an hour south of Atlanta, the park is a popular camping and fishing destination. Visitors can even stay in a waterfront yurt!

Courtesy Kyle Allport

Arno River —

Michelle McLemore fell in love with how serene the Arno River looked from her Florence, Italy, hotel balcony. But the river hasn't always been so calm and peaceful. Its floodwaters devastated Florence in 1966, damaging priceless works of art, books and monuments throughout the city -- not to mention killing 39 people and leaving thousands homeless.

Courtesy Michelle McLemore

For 2014's Fourth of July weekend, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1150470">Funda Ray</a> went camping by the Saint Louis River in Cloquet, Minnesota. She said the river's calm waters that day made it an excellent place to go fishing and canoeing.

Saint Louis River —

For 2014's Fourth of July weekend, Funda Ray went camping by the Saint Louis River in Cloquet, Minnesota. She said the river's calm waters that day made it an excellent place to go fishing and canoeing.

Courtesy Funda Ray

Sesia River —

The Sesia River is "a lonely, magic place," said Stefania Grasso, who lives nearby in Vercelli, Italy. She said it's particularly nice in spring. Despite her love of the river's "quiet," the Sesia is a popular destination for white water paddling.

Courtesy Stefania Grasso

Town Brook —

Mary Wallace worries about the well-being of Town Brook, a 1.5-mile stream in Plymouth, Massachusetts. When dams were built in the 1790s, the number of migrating fish decreased, according to NOAA. "Town Brook is a great story of a waterway gone bad and restored to its original state," she said. "Industry dammed the water and prevented fish from entering Billington Sea. Now with the removal of dams, fish are returning and thriving."

Courtesy Mary Wallace

Motu River —

Michael Hooks has visited New Zealand's remote Motu River twice. Because of its relatively removed location, the river is "pristine," he said. It is accessible by four-wheel drive, helicopter or jet-boat, according to Rough Guides.

Courtesy Michael R. Hooks

The Rio Gande in northern New Mexico is one of <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1159347">Jason Leidy's</a> favorite rivers. "It's carried me through desert landscapes while rafting, tubing, swimming, and canoeing," he said. "My brother proposed to his wife while standing in its waters, making it a part of our family history."

Rio Grande —

The Rio Gande in northern New Mexico is one of Jason Leidy's favorite rivers. "It's carried me through desert landscapes while rafting, tubing, swimming, and canoeing," he said. "My brother proposed to his wife while standing in its waters, making it a part of our family history."

Courtesy Middle River Arts Photography

The Aranmula Snake Boat Race is held each year on the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1151709">Pamba (or Pampa) River</a> in India. The rowers wear traditional white clothing, and there's singing as the boats make their way along the river.

Pamba (or Pampa) River —

The Aranmula Snake Boat Race is held each year on the Pamba (or Pampa) River in India. The rowers wear traditional white clothing, and there's singing as the boats make their way along the river.

Courtesy Anil George

<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1150602">Maureen Moore</a> calls this 315-mile waterway that stretches through eastern New York "a photographer's paradise."

Hudson River —

Maureen Moore calls this 315-mile waterway that stretches through eastern New York "a photographer's paradise."

Courtesy Maureen Moore

Loboc River —

Cruising along the Loboc River on Bohol Island in the Philippines, Sylvie Nguyen said she loved the local charm, like this "floating stage of dancing and singing ladies."

Courtesy Sylvie Nguyen

Umpqua River —

Spanning more than 100 miles, Oregon's Umpqua River offers plenty of opportunities for recreational activities. From adventure rafting in its northern rapids to paddling along its calmer waters in the south, Sheldon Owen said there's something for everyone.

Courtesy Sheldon Owen

Perfume River —

The Perfume River in Hue, Vietnam, is special to CNN's Dan Tham because his mother and grandparents were born there. He visited Vietnam in June and was "naturally drawn to the river, its beauty and colors," he said. "I would watch the boats drift down the river that Huetians seem to treat with great reverence."

Dan Tham/CNN

Geneva, Illinois, resident <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1149699">D. Samuel Melchior</a> lives right by the Fox River. "The Fox River is my favorite because of its unspoiled natural beauty and life affirming character," he said. "I get to enjoy its splendor almost every day."

Fox River —

Geneva, Illinois, resident D. Samuel Melchior lives right by the Fox River. "The Fox River is my favorite because of its unspoiled natural beauty and life affirming character," he said. "I get to enjoy its splendor almost every day."

courtesy D. Samuel Melchior

Yangtze River —

The Yangtze River in China is Julee Khoo's favorite because her grandmother was born and raised in China. "I will always have fond memories of my days as a young child, listening to her tell me stories of the wonderful times she spent visiting the 'mighty Yangtze' and how beautiful the surrounding landscape was," she said. "It sounded like such an idyllic place."

courtesy julie khoo

On a cold day in March 2006, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1150901">Stephen Messenger</a> photographed the Au Sable River from a highway bridge in Oscoda, Michigan. The river runs 138 miles and empties out into Lake Huron. You can see this sprawling river from the many lookout platforms built by the U.S. Forest Service throughout Michigan. <br /><br /><strong>Desktop viewers: Click the double arrow to see more photos.</strong>

Au Sable River —

On a cold day in March 2006, Stephen Messenger photographed the Au Sable River from a highway bridge in Oscoda, Michigan. The river runs 138 miles and empties out into Lake Huron. You can see this sprawling river from the many lookout platforms built by the U.S. Forest Service throughout Michigan.

Desktop viewers: Click the double arrow to see more photos.

Courtesy Stephen Messenger

Khwae Yai River —

Thailand's Khwae Yai River is a favorite of Marie Sager's because of the boat houses where one can stay on the river. "They are like little mini-motels, with maybe seven to eight bedrooms, a lounge/dining area," she said. "Then you have access to the train that takes you along the river to beautiful waterfalls and parks."

courtesy marie sager

<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1150362">Jim Taliaferro </a>has paddled all but a quarter-mile of Ohio's 85-mile Cuyahoga River. It's a must-see destination for visitors, he said. "If you're ever in the area, don't miss the chance to see a really beautiful river."

The rivers you love —

Jim Taliaferro has paddled all but a quarter-mile of Ohio's 85-mile Cuyahoga River. It's a must-see destination for visitors, he said. "If you're ever in the area, don't miss the chance to see a really beautiful river."

courtesy lynda warner

Chao Phraya —

The Chao Phraya is a major river that flows through Bangkok, Thailand. Sobhana Venkatesan, who visited Thailand in January, was impressed with the river's many transportation options.

Courtesy Sobhana Venkatesan

Columbia River —

Cristy Kessel said her family bought a house on the Columbia River in 2007 and has spent most summer weekends there ever since. "We love the dry heat, the openness, the water-access, all the birds and wildlife," she said.

Courtesy Cristy Kessel

Ohio River —

Beth Woods grew up on the banks of the Ohio River in Ironton, Ohio. "Everything that I think of when I hear the word 'home' is in that river," she said. The Ohio River flows from Pennsylvania to Illinois.

Courtesy Beth Woods

Amazon River —

The Amazon River spans more than 4,000 miles, snaking through Colombia, Peru and Brazil. It's considered the largest river by discharge of water in the world and is a lifeline to local communities, modern cities, and even ancient South American tribes. Tour planner Scott Isom traveled along the Amazon in Brazil by canoe and double-decker boats. "To fly into the city of Manaus and to see the vast size and scope of the Amazon is quite breathtaking," he said.

Courtesy Scott Isom

Swan River —

Daniel Beaujouan likes to visit Western Australia's Swan River to relax after a long day at work in Fremantle. Visitors can spot the river's trademark black swans or even scuba dive at its deepest point.

Courtesy Daniel Beaujouan

The rivers you love

Editor’s Note: John D. Sutter is a columnist for CNN Opinion and creator of CNN’s Change the List project. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. E-mail him at ctl@cnn.com. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

Story highlights

CNN compiles a list of "your favorite rivers" from submissions

The list includes the Tunga, in India; the Arno, in Italy; and the Hue, in Vietnam

iReporter Sandi Kubbs: "Who I became is intrinsically tied" to the Little Wabash River in Illinois

What rivers are we missing? Nominate your favorite waterway at CNN iReport

CNN —

Leave it to an old naturalist to make rivers sound sexy.

“The rivers flow not past, but through us,” John Muir wrote in the 1870s, “thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing.”

If only we still felt that way in 2014.

Today, rivers aren’t thrilling much of anybody. They’re invisible. We don’t travel by river, rarely visit their banks. We don’t know their stories.

John D. Sutter

Edythe McNamee/CNN

That’s most of us, at least. I’ve discovered as part of my reporting on rivers for CNN’s Change the List project, that there remains a vital sect of pleasantly anachronistic River People. They’re folks who don’t mind smelling like mildew; who affix clips and carabineers to everything in sight; and who still value adventure over efficiency.

I learned many of you are among them. When I put out a request for readers to send in photos and stories about their favorite rivers, I wondered if anyone would respond – if anyone still took photos of rivers, still cared about them. But, to my delight, 89 people have submitted stories on CNN iReport – and dozens more have uploaded images to Instagram.

You’re people like Darren Palm, who sent in black-and-white photos of his grandfather catching salmon on California’s Kings River; like Julee Khoo, who wrote that her trip on the Yangtze River “will forever link me to my grandmother who was born and raised in China”; like Maureen Moore, who’s photographed the Hudson River in New York when it’s covered in ice and when it’s teeming with boats; and Sandi Kubbs, a Polio survivor, who wrote that, “who I became is intrinsically tied up with my life rowing up and down the Little Wabash.”

If anyone is going to save our rivers, it’s you.

The good people at CNN iReport have compiled these submissions into a list of “Our favorite rivers.” This list isn’t clickbait, nor is it nature porn. For many, it’s nothing short of a protest – an assertion that a river-first view will lead to a better world. As rivers have become invisible, they’ve started to dry up – and without much public alarm. The Colorado, the Rio Grande, the San Joaquin (which I recently spent three weeks kayaking). These mighty waters often fail to reach the ocean.

And many others are gunked up with pollution. The Mississippi – which one of you, Neal Moore, traveled from source to sea – dumps so much fertilizer into the Gulf of Mexico that it creates an aquatic dead zone the size of Connecticut. We’ve strangled that river with so much concrete that it can’t bring enough life-giving sediment to the coast. A football field of wetlands floats away each hour.

We’re trashing our rivers, but there is an antidote: Telling their stories.

Thanks to all of you for honoring these precious waterways. And, if you see one that’s missing, there’s still time to tell us about your favorite river.

CNN values your feedback

27 of your favorite rivers – a crowdsourced list

The rivers you love

Story highlights