Sacred to the Tauren and the Centaur for their lifegiving nature and plentiful herds of prey animals, these oases are often an integral part of any caravan's route passing through the region as one of the only reliable sources of water in the desert. These lush spots surround small natural springs, believed to originate in the same tunnel systems that make up the Wailing Caverns today - which imbues the waters with unusual characteristics.
This, the Southfury Delta, is a popular fishing ground for troll and orc parties, fishermen from Ratchet, and hobbyists, but is largely unpopulated and inhospitable to settlement.ĭotting the Barrens, particularly the Central Barrens, are lush green spots in an otherwise unforgiving land of low scrub and bare earth. The area where the river reaches the sea is home to a small saltmarsh ecosystem with brackish water, low reeds, and minimal trees. Unfortunately, the Southfury is increasingly unusable as industrial run-off from Goblin settlements in Azshara (particularly heavy metals from their mining operations) has rendered the water unsafe for consumption. Increasingly, efforts are being made to not only limit flooding, but to capture and store flood waters for later agricultural use. Much of the rainfall that reaches the cliffs and hills of Durotar and the Northern Barrens runs almost directly into the river, leading to major swells during storms and the potential for severe flooding, as seen after the Great Cataclysm. The area along the river is heavily farmed for the more water-intensive crops, with increasing terracing taking place to take the most advantage of the basin's natural water collection. Running south from Azshara, the river is the traditional delineating point between Durotar and the remainder of the Barrens as well as a major water source in the region for agriculture, and formerly, drinking water. One of the most significant features in the Northern Barrens is the presence of the Southfury River, one of the major rivers of Kalimdor.
Water, in some areas of the Barrens, can be so infrequently available naturally that it must be imported at great cost from more verdant climes, especially for agricultural purposes. The majority of these sources come from minor and often even marginal springs or from the Tauren's innovative windmill-pumps, save for the lakes and rivers in the unusually lush Stonetalon Mountains. The region encompasses arid savannahs, sun-baked deserts, drought-stricken and wind-battered landscapes, rugged mountains, small pockets of fertile jungle, and significant wetlands.Ī largely dry expanse of land, the few reliable watersources in the Great Barrens form a crucial part of the landscape, defining territorial claims and inhabitable areas. The main unifying feature of the region is the high temperatures throughout summer and much of winter, with temperatures in the hottest areas reaching upwards of forty-five degrees in direct sunlight. The greater Barrens contains a number of disparate climates, with the most striking contrasts between the inhospitable deserts of Durotar and the fertile jungles of the central Barrens.
0 kommentar(er)
