Water-Centric Planning

RIVER MAGIC, TALES FROM A LIFE ON 1000 RIVERS: “While the book takes the reader around the world, it is also important to note that BC locales are well represented. That is pertinent and appropriate because in BC our river heritage is as good as any in the world,” stated Mark Angelo

September 30, 2025 - Posted in Contextual Resources, State of Water in British Columbia

Note to Reader:

Published by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia, Waterbucket eNews celebrates the leadership of individuals and organizations who are guided by the Living Water Smart vision. Stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective, and the Story Behind the Story (REPRODUCED BELOW).

On the 45^th anniversary of BC Rivers Day, and 20^th for Word Rivers Day, the edition published on September 30, 2025 celebrates the extraordinary lifelong accomplishments and legacy of Mark Angelo, an amazing British Columbian. He has traveled on close to a thousand rivers spanning well over 100 countries. His vision and story are truly inspirational.

Images are mostly from the Partnership’s library. Some are from the public domain and Creative Commons.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: River Magic, tales from a life on 1000 rivers – a conversation with Mark Angelo

“Let me tell you a little about the book,” was the first thing that Mark Angelo said when we had a conversation shortly after publication of River Magic,” stated Kim Stephens, Partnership Executive Director and Waterbucket eNews Editor.

As an avid kayaker, canoeist and rafter, Mark Angelo has traveled on close to a thousand rivers spanning well over one-hundred countries; perhaps more than any other individual. He was the lead subject and star of the award winning film, RiverBlue, released in 2016.

The City of Burnaby named a local city stream after Mark Angelo. He is in the Fraser River Hall of Fame. And in 2015, Canadian Geographic magazine named him as one of Canada’s 100 greatest modern day explorers.

In the book, Mark Angelo recalls landmark moments that define his life

“So I decided to write this book, River Magic: Tales from a Life on 1000 Rivers. The book takes the reader on a multi-decade global adventure. And it chronicles a lot of the real-life encounters I have had on rivers around the world,” stated Mark Angelo.

“My goal was to make the book as accessible as possible to a wide range of audiences. That is a tough balance to strike. But I think I have come close to striking that balance which excites me.”

“Writing the book has allowed me to recall so many amazing moments that I have had and that are recounted in the book. It was a wonderful exercise in terms of looking at old photos and allowing me to recall all of those stories.”

**Story behind the story of why Mark Angelo choose River Magic for his book title**

“River magic is a term that I have long used as a means of describing how a river can make you feel. It harkens back to my youth and love of magic.”

“I really enjoyed writing the book. It was a source of much introspection. And I recalled so many amazing moments. It is just a sampling. It allowed me to recall some landmark moments in my life.”

Boyhood experience inspired Mark Angelo’s lifelong passion for the mighty Fraser River

“Writing River Magic made me recall my first trip down the Fraser River in 1975. I spent an entire summer doing that. That is 1375 km. And that was back in a time before Google Earth, before cell phones. It was quite an adventure!

“I remember after that trip just being so enamoured with the river. So impressed with its powers, its beauty, its diversity. Ever since, I have referred to the Fraser as literally being the heart and soul of British Columbia, the heart and soul of our province. I feel passionately about that.”

“So I knew BC was a land of great rivers when I had a chance to come to BCIT. I was excited, not only to teach the brand new fish and wildlife program, but also the fact that I could live in a province that I knew had this amazing river heritage. That really excited me.”

“Bottom line when all is said and done, I hope the book creates a greater sense of awareness…of the values of our rivers…of the importance of protecting rivers. Not only those that are still in good shape, but also restoring those that have been damaged in the past.”

Mark Angelo believes nature can heal itself if only we give it a chance

“When I think back to my childhood, the words ecological and river restoration had not yet found their way into the public lexicon.”

“But I also found myself at a point where I could really compare the incredibly damaged waterways that I had seen, to the ones that were very healthy. That also influenced me.”

“There are lots of examples of restoring rivers in the book. Growing up and spending time around damaged rivers had an impact on me. But that was countered by some of the healthy streams that I came to know.”

“And so, I started talking with my colleagues at BCIT about what we could do. To make a long story short, we decided that however difficult it might be, we would embark on the mission to restore Guichon Creek.”

A closing perspective on the importance, values, allure and magic of streams and rivers

“The book utilizes the telling of stories of personal tales of encounters with animals, encounters with people, as a way of relaying the importance of our rivers, of the values of our rivers, of the allure and magic of rivers. And without necessarily going into a lengthy technical kind of explanation.”

“I think the telling of stories is a really important way, and an important tool when it comes to communicating with the public and to relaying messages. There are cautionary tales in the book but there are also hopeful ones too.”

To Learn More:

Waterbucket eNews stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective and Context for Busy Reader, and the Story Behind the Story. To read the complete 3-part storyline, download a PDF copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: River Magic, tales from a life on 1000 rivers.