River Origins: Not Just Mountain Tops, But Springs, Wetlands, and Confluences

While many rivers begin in mountains, river sources are diverse:

• Mountain peaks: Snowmelt and glacial runoff (e.g., Colorado, Rhine).
• Springs: Groundwater emerges at the surface (e.g., River Thames at Trewsbury Mead).
• Wetlands and swamps: Diffuse outflow from saturated areas (e.g., Okavango, Everglades).
• Confluences: Two or more streams merge to form a named river (e.g., the Ohio River at Pittsburgh).

A river's source is defined as the farthest point from its mouth along the drainage network, regardless of terrain.