Zora River

Zora's River is a recurring location in the Zelda series. It is one of the main bodies of water in Hyrule, with its water source being either Zora's Domain or Zora's Fountain.

A Link to the Past
In A Link to the Past, Zora's River runs throughout all of Hyrule. At its source are Zora's Lake, Zora's Waterfall, and the Waterfall of Wishing, which are located at the northeast part of Hyrule. From the source at Zora's Lake, it flows down south of Death Mountain, continues between the Magic Shop and Graveyard, surrounds Hyrule Castle, flows just east of Link's House, and continues south, supplying Lake Hylia with its water. There are 3 bridges that cross over it as well as two natural bridges on the east and west portions of Hyrule Castle. Zora's River has one Whirlpool Waterway close to the Magic Shop.

Link cannot swim in the river unless he has Zora's Flippers, which can be bought at the Zora's Waterfall from King Zora for just 500 Rupees. The only enemies in the river itself are River Zoras, and it has several piers where Link can climb up and return to land.

Ocarina of Time
In Ocarina of Time, water from Zora's River flows from Zora's Fountain, which serves as the water source of all Hyrule. Eventually, the water of Zora's River reaches Lake Hylia, passing through Gerudo Valley in the process. At the northern section of the river is the Sleepless Waterfall, a seemingly impassable waterfall that protects the entrance to Zora's Domain. Zora's River is accessible either by Hyrule Field or through an underwater portal located in the Lost Woods.

A few bridges are built over the river for easy crossing. Its waters, however, are infested with monsters such as Octoroks and Blue Tektites. On the way to the Sleepless Waterfall is a group of frogs collectively known as the Fabulous Five Froggish Tenors, although they disappear when Link returns to the river seven years later. As in A Link to the Past, Zora's River passes in front of Death Mountain in Ocarina of Time.

Twilight Princess
Twilight Princess shows Zora's River in what might be its biggest incarnation yet. The water from Zora's River comes from the throne room in Zora's Domain. It flows down to a section known as the Upper Zora's River, and from there the water branches off into three parts: one part goes on to north Hyrule Field, and the other two sections flow down through an area known as the Rapids Ride. The latter sections serve as the water source for Lake Hylia, which is where all the water from the river eventually ends up. However, these parts of the river are not accessible by foot and can only be reached by a canoe or by riding a Kargarok. Due to its immense length, the river serves as the location of two mini-games: Iza's Rapid Ride and the Fruit Pop Flight Challenge. Going against the rapids involves the Fruit Pop Flight Challenge, using a Kargarok for flight. Going downstream involves traversing the Rapid Ride in a kayak (similar to the one used in lure fishing), while avoiding impact with walls.

When Link as a wolf first visits the Lanayru Province while it is covered in Twilight, he finds out that the Zora's River has dried up since Zora's Domain has completely frozen over. As such, Lake Hylia has dried up as well, threatening the lifestyle of the Zora people and impeding them from returning upstream. To get to Zora's Domain, Link has to ride a Shadow Kargarok through the dried-up river, defeating Shadow Insects along the way and obtaining their Tears of Light. Upon reaching Upper Zora's River, Link will discover that the entire domain has frozen over, and it isn't until he warps a giant, hot rock from Death Mountain to crash into the Zora's throne room that the water will begin to flow again.

Upper Zora's River

 * ''See also: Iza's Rapid Ride and Hena's Fishing Hole

Upper Zora's River is the location of Link's first fight with Shadow Beasts while in Hylian form, and it is also the location of a Howling Stone. When the young hero defeats the shadow messengers, Iza, the owner of the boat rental shop, will be impressed by Link's bravery and let him into her hut. She will request that Link help her out by clearing the path downstream since a rockfall dammed up the river. If he agrees to clear the debris that has clogged the flow of the river, Iza will lend Link a Bomb Bag and fill up his quiver with arrows. By shooting the rocks that are visible from the hut's interior, the young hero will be able to row down the rapids and clear the rest of the rocks that are blocking the waterflow. Once Link reaches Lake Hylia, Iza's assistant, a Zora who guided the young hero through the rapids, will allow the young hero to keep the Bomb Bag that Iza lent him. After clearing the way and returning, Link can play the Rapid Ride mini game, where he will again use Bomb Arrows to hit targets, but instead of rocks, Iza has placed large pots for him to destroy, allowing Link to win a prize if he scores enough points.

Iza's sister, Hena, also resides in Upper Zora's River. Hena runs a Fishing Hole where Link can go fishing. Link can bobber fish without charge in the fishing hole, or he can rent a canoe from Hena for a small charge and go lure fishing instead. Hena also gives Link a chance to test his skills in the game of Rollgoal, which she invented herself.

Link's Crossbow Training
Zora's River appears in two stages of Link's Crossbow Training. The first appearance in Stage 2 places Link inside of a canoe and travels downstream of the river of Iza's Rapid Ride. The second appearance of the river in Stage 4 is specifically seated in the outer waters of Zora's Domain.

Trivia

 * In Twilight Princess, the Rapids Ride part of Zora's River passes through the Eldin Province and under the Bridge of Eldin. Despite this the map labels it as part of the Lanayru Province.