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Scientists have unlocked the mysteries behind nine rivers and lakes in North and South America that seem to "defy the rules of hydrology."
In a paper published in Water Resource Research, researchers explained the unusual "bifurcation"—or splitting—of these bodies of water that appear to be "exceptions to the rules of hydrology."
The nine rivers and lakes—which include the Casiquiare River, the Arroyo Partido, the Wayambo River, the Atchafalaya River, North Two Ocean Creek, Divide Creek, the Committee's Punch Bowl, the Echimamish River and the Wollaston Lake—exhibit "bidirectional flow, unresolved watershed boundaries and river formation in progress," the study said.
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The researchers noted that each case highlights some "fascinating, less-understood concepts of hydrology," such as basin formation, river capture, sensitive topography and the influence of wildlife on the direction of the flow.
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9 Unusual Rivers and Lakes That Defy Nature
A bifurcation occurs when a river splits into multiple branches that continue downstream. Many rivers have natural bifurcations, where the branch later returns to the main river after some distance, such as a braided river or delta.
However, these unusual rivers "branch off and never return," diverging instead into distinct river basins on the interior of continents, the researchers explained, adding that "likewise, bifurcation lakes have not one outlet but two or more, each draining to a distinct basin."
These unique bodies of water are worth studying because "they defy conventions of hydrology" and "these hydrologic oddities illustrate how much we have still to learn about Earth's dynamic surface," the researchers said.
The Casiquiare River
The Casiquiare River in Venezuela is the world's most famed river bifurcation, the study noted. Also known as the Rio Casiquiare or Casiquiare Canal, it branches off from the upper Orinoco River and flows southwest to join the Guainia River, forming the Rio Negro, a major tributary of the Amazon.
This perennial and navigable waterway connects South America's two largest river basins and is considered "the hydrologic equivalent of a wormhole between two galaxies," the researchers wrote.
The Arroyo Partido
Found in southern Argentina, the Arroyo Partido flows from the Andes through a forested canyon before reaching Passo Pil Pil, where it splits.
One stream flows south as the Arroyo Culebra into the Atlantic-bound Rio Negro watershed, while the other, the Arroyo Pil Pil, turns north into the Rio Valdivia watershed, before reaching the Pacific Ocean.
The Wayambo River
Located in Suriname, a country in the northern part of South America, the Wayambo River traverses flat terrain and can flow east into the Coppename River or west into the Nickerie River, which both empty into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Atchafalaya River
The Atchafalaya River in southern Louisiana was formed when the Mississippi River—North America's largest drainage—diverted into the Red River basin. Near the point where the Mississippi and Red rivers meet, the Mississippi splits, forming the Atchafalaya River.
North Two Ocean Creek
Located in northwest Wyoming, North Two Ocean Creek moves through a canyon.
As it leaves the canyon, it divides into Atlantic Creek, which flows to the Yellowstone River and the Atlantic Ocean, and Pacific Creek, which flows into the Snake River.
The bifurcation is known as the "Parting of the Waters" and is accessible for visitors in Yellowstone National Park.
Divide Creek
Straddling the border between the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, Divide Creek runs through the Yoho and Banff national parks.
Originating near Divide Mountain, the creek splits at the Kicking Horse pass. The water flows west into Summit Lake and east into the Bow River.
The Committee's Punch Bowl
Sitting on the continental divide at Athabasca Pass, this lake is located on the Alberta–British Columbia border. It drains northwest into the Whirlpool and Mackenzie Rivers toward the Arctic Ocean, and southeast into the Wood and Columbia Rivers, reaching the Pacific.
The Echimamish River
Located in the central part of the Canadian province of Manitoba, the Echimamish River connects the Hayes and Nelson rivers, which both flow into Hudson Bay. This river uniquely flows outward from a midpoint toward both ends.
The Wollaston Lake
The Wollaston Lake, found in the northeastern part of Canada's Saskatchewan province, drains into two watersheds.
Fed by the Geikie River, the lake splits at its northern end, sending about 10 percent of its water northwest to the Fond du Lac River and 90 percent northeast through to the Cochrane River.
Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about rivers or lakes? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.
Reference
Sowby, R. B., & Siegel, A. C. (2025). Unusual Drainages of the Americas. Water Resources Research. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR039824
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