Anyone who thinks scientists can’t write needs to check their prejudices at the book shop door and pick up a copy of Pete Hill’s first book. I say “first” because anyone who writes as lyrically as he, surely has more where this came from.

River Profiles: The People Restoring Our Rivers is a walk through stream and river restoration, and the people who make it happen. There’s something here for anyone enjoys water in its natural form. Anglers, amblers, paddlers, and poets – all will find pieces that speak to them. And certainly, those who work to restore streams, remove dams, replace culverts, rejuvenate wetlands, or re-route stormwater, as well as those who fund or regulate the work will benefit from this read.

For me, whose restoration training is more through osmosis and exposure than through formal schooling, this bird’s-eye tour of restorations ranging from super-sized dam removals on the Elwha River in Washington (state) to removing concrete encasements from the remnants of Watts Branch in Washington DC was akin to Cliff Notes for naturalists. From Rosgen to regenerative stormwater conveyance, Pete Hill takes his readers through all the major schools of river thought. My vocabulary and mental picture of these methods is noticeably improved, not in small part because of Hill’s ability to describe them through character studies of the people behind the work. No easy feat. This is especially true on waterways where tribal leaders and specialists are guiding the vision. The fact that Hill was able to spend time with them and get their candid input speaks volumes to his integrity.

In a sector dominated by engineering and physical models, I appreciated Hill’s ability to weave biology and biologists into the conversation. The physical and the living components do not work independently of each other, much as some may want to believe. (This is especially true when beavers are involved – I always love a good beaver tale, and this book includes one!).

On a personal note, I enjoyed Hill’s explorations of streams from my past, and people I’ve known or at least interviewed. It’s reassuring to see that things really can change for the better! Of course, not every tale is one of improvement. I wondered what my sewer buddies would think when they read the passage about a proposed fire-fighting training facility near Atlanta. Not surprisingly, activists are concerned about PFAS getting into a nearby creek, but city leaders seem unconcerned because “these [forever chemicals] would be directed toward a sanitary sewer”, as if that’s a solution (p. 220, if you’re looking). (For my non-sewer buddies …. standard technologies are not capable of removing PFAS chemicals from wastewater, and wastewater professionals want us all to know that the best “treatment” is to keep them out of wastewater in the first place!)

I could wax on, recalling my favorite metaphors (one of Hill’s many strong suits), but I don’t want to spoil the read. Do yourself a favor: Get a copy and enjoy.