The Stream, August 23: If the Yangtze River Runs Dry

Can the Yangtze, Asia’s longest river, run dry? According to a new study by geologist Fan Xiao of the Sichuan Geology and Mineral Bureau in China, the “fate of the Yangtze is sealed,” as rampant hydropower construction will soon trap its entire flow.

Population growth and water stress are driving the world to a food and environmental crunch that only better farming techniques and smarter use of resources will avert, according to a new U.N. report issued at World Water Week in Stockholm, Relaxnews reported.

Meanwhile, a new study by the World Wildlife Fund identifies the main threats to the water resources, supply and infrastructure in the world’s growing megacities and metacities.

Hundreds of thousands of fish have died in Louisiana’s Pearl River after a paper mill in Bogalusa released a high concentration of waste material into the river in early August, Reuters reported. The chemical waste effectively sucked the oxygen from a large section of the river, killing every breathing organism within its reach.

Bloomberg discusses some investment strategies for the water industry.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.