Dark water at OKW waterway to DTD?

[Queen Stephanie]

We just got back from another WONDERFUL trip to WDW. The magic there is more than amazing. However, we did have one concern, maybe a fellow-intercoter could answer. Does anyone know why the water is dark brown at OKW waterway? Thanks...:search:

[BluewaterBrad]

Shallow depths and lots of recent rains.:mickey:

[badkitty]

I don't remember exactly what the boat skipper said but it has something to do with the bark or sap of the trees along the banks making the orange-brown color.

[Keneva]

Hi,

It is caused by Tannins.

From Wikipedia:

"A blackwater river is a river with a slow-moving channel that flows through forested swamps and wetlands. As vegetation decays in the water, tannins are leached out, resulting in transparent, acidic water that is darkly stained, resembling tea or coffee. Most major blackwater rivers are in the Amazon River system and the Southern United States.

Blackwater rivers are much lower in nutrients than whitewater rivers and have ionic concentrations only slightly higher than rainwater.[1][2] The unique water conditions lead to a composition of flora and fauna that differs significantly from that found in whitewater sources. Areas where blackwater rivers and whitewater rivers combine are particularly attractive to a diverse group of organisms".

:thumbsup:

[garymacd]

Hi,

It is caused by Tannins.

From Wikipedia:

"A blackwater river is a river with a slow-moving channel that flows through forested swamps and wetlands. As vegetation decays in the water, tannins are leached out, resulting in transparent, acidic water that is darkly stained, resembling tea or coffee. Most major blackwater rivers are in the Amazon River system and the Southern United States.

Blackwater rivers are much lower in nutrients than whitewater rivers and have ionic concentrations only slightly higher than rainwater.[1][2] The unique water conditions lead to a composition of flora and fauna that differs significantly from that found in whitewater sources. Areas where blackwater rivers and whitewater rivers combine are particularly attractive to a diverse group of organisms".

:thumbsup:

Darn. I was going to say that!

[laprana]

Hi,

It is caused by Tannins.

From Wikipedia:

"A blackwater river is a river with a slow-moving channel that flows through forested swamps and wetlands. As vegetation decays in the water, tannins are leached out, resulting in transparent, acidic water that is darkly stained, resembling tea or coffee. Most major blackwater rivers are in the Amazon River system and the Southern United States.

Blackwater rivers are much lower in nutrients than whitewater rivers and have ionic concentrations only slightly higher than rainwater.[1][2] The unique water conditions lead to a composition of flora and fauna that differs significantly from that found in whitewater sources. Areas where blackwater rivers and whitewater rivers combine are particularly attractive to a diverse group of organisms".

:thumbsup:

How interesting! I wondered about the color of the water on our last trip when we took the boat from POR to DTD. My sister and I were trying to figure out why it looked so brown, and we thought maybe Disney dyed it to make it look more like a real river! :blush:

[Queen Stephanie]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the info!:thumbsup:

[Mousemates]

Hi,

It is caused by Tannins....

good info.

[SuzieN]

I remember that when my sister and I stayed at POR (then Dixie Landings) in '92 we called it the Root Beer River because of the color!!:mickey: