Yes, there are NO rivers.  This has been 'discussed' to death in other forums on this site.  I like rivers, and the original artwork showed rivers, LOL.  But, they just don't exist on this cursed desert planet of Elemental.  fertile land, yes - water for the thirsty land - nada.

I call laziness on the developers part for not even really thinking out a well thought out way to utilize rivers granted... hopefully they fix the mistakes they made when FE rolls around.

https://forums.elementalgame.com/404466 

found the thread about land and stuff and why rivers were taken out of maps in EWOM

soooo I'll be waiting until the start of summer or middle of summer possibly for FE... doesn't mean I still can't have fun with EWOM

Yes, one of the things about rivers is that many communities settle down near a river, but also choose a spot on the river where there is a waterfall.  The falling water is used to power various tools, mills, etc.  Civ never included waterefalls in their rivers.  OH, and EWOM also has no waterfalls (smile).

Oh, I haven't touched the campaign in (it seems like) years.  I had forgotten the rivers were there.  LOL. 

never went to the island... anything worth seeing?

There is a tempel that gives you some spells, if my memory is correct.