Where the Rivers Meet

Chongqing, China, one of the world’s largest metropolises, lies at the confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers.  The rivers are a lifeblood to the city; they’re an ever-present boundary an obstacle to those in the city, a thoroughfare for shipping and industry, and an escape for tourists to float downriver toward the Three Gorges Dam from the countless ferry docks near downtown. Both rivers have substantial agricultural, industrial, and sewage pollution upriver, and where the two rivers meet, near the center of the city, one can see a clear difference in color between the two waters. 

People fish under the elevated Shabin Road near Ciqikou next to the Jialing River in the Shapingba District of Chongqing, China. Though the river is heavily polluted, many people eat fish caught from the river.
Pieces used in bridge construction rest in the water of the Jialing River in Chongqing, China.
A man prepares a lure to catch fish to eat the Yangtze River near central Chonqing, China. Though the river is heavily polluted, many use it as a food source.
A man bathes in the Jialing River in Chongqing, China. Over the past few decades, upstream agricultural and industrial usage has severely polluted the river, but people still use it for bathing, washing, fishing, and recreation.
People walk down stairs to an elevated subway platform at the Niujiaotuo subway station in the Yuzhong district of Chongqing, China. Visible at left is the Chongqing Jialingjiang Bridge over the Jialing River. The Jialing and Yangtze rivers separate Chongqing main districts, creating bottlenecks for commuters at crossings.
A Chongqing family escapes the heat by playing in the water near Chaotianmen dock where the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers meet in central Chongqing, China. Though the rivers are heavily polluted, the family said they weren't worried about wading in the water.
Construction workers build a bridge over the Jialing River in Chongqing, China. The river, along with the Yangtze, divides the cities districts, creating substantial traffic bottlenecks on the existing bridges.
Debris collects along the line where the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers meet in central Chongqing, China. Both rivers have substantial agricultural, industrial, and sewage pollution, though the different colors of the two rivers' waters can be attributed in part to different sedimentary composition upriver.
Under the Chongqing Jialingjiang Bridge, a man stands near the edge of the Jialing River in Chongqing, China.
A man rides a water slide at the water park at Meixin Foreigner Street in Chongqing, China.
A view of buildings, bridges, interchanges, and the Jialing River from the Niujiaotuo subway platform in Chongqing, China.
A group of elderly swimmers prepare for their nightly swim near the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers in central Chongqing, China. Though both rivers are heavily polluted, the group says they try to swim everyday, if possible.
Men fish in the Yangtze River as barges pass by Chongqing, China. Increased river traffic and nearby manufacturing in the area has threatened the river's long-term ecology.
People gather in the wave pool at the water park at Meixin Foreigner Street in Chongqing, China.
People wash up and dry their hair in the entryway to changing rooms at the water park at Meixin Foreigner Street in Chongqing, China.
Swimmers stand on the shore after a swim near the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers in central Chongqing, China.