Mekong River Journey: One Family's Epic Adventure

Mekong River, Southeast Asia.

There’s some urgency to the timing of this journey. “The river is at a crossroads,” Jeff continues. “Even 10 to 20 years from now, it could be a very different place.”

The Mekong River is largely untapped for hydropower. However, dozens of dams are planned and decisions about dam development—such as how many are built and in what locations—will have a huge impact on fish populations. “The Mekong, you could say, is really the global focus for the debate about the sustainability of large dams and hydropower,” offers Jeff.

The river is much more than a fascinating destination for his family. He’s helping to build the scientific support for the Great Rivers Partnership (GRP), a coalition of partners working to develop sustainable solutions for our world’s most important rivers. On this trip, Jeff hopes to learn about this river, its challenges and opportunities, and make connections with the conservation scientists working to keep it healthy.

He and his family are posting dispatches from their journey at Nature.org/MekongJourney. Follow along on Twitter by tracking the hashtag #MekongJourney.

Photos © Jeff Opperman

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Bryna P.

4:22PM PDT on Apr 18, 2013

Thank you for the worrisome news. Why can't people see the flaws in their plans. I'm not a scientist, but I can understand that dams are terribly destructive. Why not create wind farms and use solar energy.

April 18
send a green star

Carrie-Anne B.

1:20PM PST on Jan 27, 2013

thanks for sharing

January 27
send a green star

Duane B.

8:38AM PST on Jan 18, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

January 18
send a green star

Sue T.

2:18PM PST on Jan 13, 2013

2 lucky kids to experience this! want to adopt me! or hire me? lol

January 13
send a green star

jenny H.

2:58PM PST on Jan 12, 2013

What an incredible opportunity for their children...it's somewhere I would love to visit.

January 12
send a green star

Mary L.

9:58AM PST on Jan 12, 2013

I'm looking forward to the book.

Nimue P.

7:36PM PST on Jan 11, 2013

Cool :)

January 11
send a green star

tiffany t.

12:45PM PST on Jan 11, 2013

I thank Jeff Opperman for trying to make the world a better place. Also showing his family how the majority of the world lives. Live simple so others may simply Live!

D D.

9:43PM PST on Jan 10, 2013

Sounds like an incredible journey...thanks.