Wind River, Brooks Range, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

© Design Pics/Danita Delimon

Wind River's wild dance. Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

Ever wonder how some of our rivers stay unspoiled? It's thanks to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which was signed into law on this day in 1968. This legislation created the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, which preserves rivers with exceptional natural, cultural, and recreational qualities.

The national rivers system oversees more than 13,000 miles of 228 rivers across 41 states and Puerto Rico, a tiny fraction of the 3.5 million miles of US rivers. It categorizes rivers as wild, scenic, or recreational. The Wind River in northeastern Alaska, seen in today's image, is a wild river, isolated and undeveloped. It flows for 85 miles, from the Philip Smith Mountains to the East Fork of the Chandalar River, winding through a valley filled with lakes and wetlands. Part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, this river valley is a bustling habitat for Dall sheep, moose, caribou, and grizzly bears. In a changing world, it's comforting to know these rivers will remain unchanged.