The river basin has been one of the most persistent examples of how the functional and spatial necessities of water can form civilization. Historically, the river basin concept never seems to die but rather to continually reemerge.

Brittain (1958) notes that although the concept of the river basin may seem modern, it has existed for thousands of years. He sees the myth of Hercules' conquest of the river Achelous as an indicator that men had begun to dream about control over a whole basin. In this myth, Hercules wins his wife, Deianira, by fighting and defeating the god of the river Achelous. Ovid's account of battle is actually a summary of the various steps one might take to establish basinwide management. For example, as soon as the left fork of the river is wrenched off from the main body, it is snatched up into heaven where it is turned into a cornucopia pouring out wealth of fruit and flowers upon the reclaimed valley and enriching the whole kingdom. Ovid pairs this story with another myth, that of Erysichthon. After Erysichthon willfully cuts down a grove of Demeter's, the Greek goddess of agriculture, she calls on Famine to avenge her. Erysichthon's insatiable appetite causes him to strip his whole kingdom barren. The myth appears as a parable against the dangers of deforestation.