68 episodes

This is a river podcast, and a great story, boating, science, adventure and conservation podcast.

The River Radius Podcast Sam Carter

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 70 Ratings

This is a river podcast, and a great story, boating, science, adventure and conservation podcast.

    2023 Western Snowpack & River Flow

    2023 Western Snowpack & River Flow

    As spring melt begins to fill rivers in the Western United States, the anticipation is high for big water runoff this season because of the long snowy winter. The River Forecast Centers of the National Weather Service provide forecasting for river flows across the country. This episode talks with the 3 of the Western Forecast Centers to learn about the snowpack and the coming river flows for spring of 2023.

    • 1 hr 5 min
    10 Rivers for 2023

    10 Rivers for 2023

    Every year since 1984, American Rivers has released a report called America's Most Endangered Rivers. To be highlighted by this report, rivers must have significance to human and natural communities, face consequential threat, and have an upcoming major decision that the public can help influence. This episode is an interview with Sinjin Eberle and Amy Souers Kober on what makes this report an effective river conservation tool, the most endangered rivers of 2023, and tangible actions that we as listeners can do to engage with the most endangered rivers of 2023.

    • 55 min
    American Rivers

    American Rivers

    American Rivers celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. Founded in 1973, American Rivers is a national level river conservation organization. To understand how they see the future of rivers, we interviewed their Executive Director to hear his story and what American Rivers is focusing on in the next few decades.

    • 43 min
    River LNT

    River LNT

    River corridors are the conduits of water and beauty.  And so many of us treasure our time there.  How do we best leave it untrammeled?  Two experts on River Leave No Trace (LNT) join me to talk through the LNT philosophy.

    • 47 min
    The Shocking Details of River Lightning

    The Shocking Details of River Lightning

    Is it true that lightning can’t strike in the Grand Canyon? How far can lightning travel through water? If it does strike, where is the safest place to be? This episode explores lightning from scientific and risk management perspectives. Grounding theory through personal narratives and best practices, this episode is a tool for any river runner’s stormy trips.

    • 58 min
    Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls

    Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls

    Running waterfalls in rafts is not overly common, but some rafters do it. Tony Glassman and his river crew built a film about running waterfalls that eventually lead to people following their lead, but not following their path of gaining experience and skills. Tony explains the layers of training and safety and experience and communication that he and his river crew have worked through to become competent waterfall running rafters.

    • 56 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
70 Ratings

70 Ratings

DaveDaFarrier ,

Great podcast — and not just for river folk!

I will struggle to write this review and not be over the top effusive in my praise for this podcast. This is the best researched, written, and produced podcast about rivers……period. Sam Carter, the host, is a delight to listen to and his background in local NPR shines through. Sam is a great interviewer and gets people talking at a depth you might not expect. Imagine Terry Gross in a splash jacket.

Sam wonderfully avoids the “two chuckleheads talking” model all too common in small, topic specific, low production value podcasts. His research and story development is excellent, each one of the 66 episodes (currently) a deep dive into interesting topics on par with better known podcasts with 10 times the resources. If you have any interest in moving water, you just have to subscribe.

While of this is true, leaving it at just that would be selling The River Radius short. To pigeon hole this podcast as just for people who love whitewater, or as “Places and Travel” as Apple categorizes it, is missing what the podcast is. It’s a joyful romp through interesting topics where rivers are the lens.

This is a podcast for everyone. Check out episode 33 about the Gila River and send it to a friend, particularly one who doesn’t know what PFD stands for.

Nowpooch ,

Real life stories, relevant and entertaining

Each episode tells a different story of the waterways of our country, and the people who live, work, and explore the beauty and the function of these essential corridors of our planet.

Down to earth, light hearted at times, thought-provoking, and always told in the rich, lilting voice of Sam Carter.

River Conservation ,

Best River Podcast Hands Down

Sam Carter's curiosity, interview rapport, good nature, and voice really make this podcast stand out, balancing river culture with cutting edge policy and science.

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