Stimpton River

The Stimpton River is a river that runs entirely in Picketralia and is a major resource for income. A tributary of the Sullivan River and Birch River, its headwaters are located in the Stimpton Delta, a large, warm, and deep lake, located in the north of the country. It's course splits the country in half, before ending abruptly at Mount Bushley, a remnant of a large earthquake estimated to be several hundreds of thousands of years ago. It is named for the city of Stimpton, which was founded on it.

The river is also the main source of water for most of the country, including Stimpton and South Stimpton, which sits on and near it, constituting 58% of the total water consumption. It's banks and habitats have been protected by Picketralian law, and attempts to dig out the river for increased ship traffic have been thwarted by the Picketralian Senate several times. High standards of water cleanliness are in effect for the river, and it has been praised for it's water health.

The river makes up part of the Mollard Valley, a river valley between the Stimpton River and the Sullivan River.

Ecology

The river is home to many species, of which include the prolific and dominant species in the river, the Bufo piktus, more commonly known as the Picketralian river frog, or simply, the Picketralian frog. However, these frogs are scientifically toads, and not frogs. They are protected by law, and cannot be fished or killed.

In addition, several species of fish are native to the river, such as the Salmo piktus, the Picketralian river salmon. A small population of axolotls have also been observed in the river, which compete with the local population for resources. However, they are not particularly invasive, as breeding rates are slow.

The river is also home to several native grasses and algae.

Protection

The river is notorious for its strict protection under Picketralian law. As described under the Picketralian Resource Protection Act of 1052, which created the establishments of national parks, protected areas, and protected species, the Stimpton River is described in Clause IV as to "pertain to the local ecology as to not lose, or destruct their habitat, for it is necessary to the good will to preserve these areas, and that certain animals in this habitat, shall not be fished, killed, or in any way exploited, to better promote a clean river."