Hey there! Today, we’re going to talk about fresh water on Earth and why it’s important to take care of it. You might have heard that less than one percent of all the fresh water on our planet is easy for us to use. That’s not a lot, and we need to be careful with it. But don’t worry, some people are working hard to fix the problems with our fresh water systems.
Humans have done some things that aren’t so great for our fresh water. One big issue is called overharvesting. This happens when we use too much water for things like farming, factories, or even in our homes. It’s like taking more than we need and leaving less for others.
Another problem is pollution. When waste, like sewage, gets into the water, it can harm the animals that live there. In some cases, these animals can get sick or even die because of the dirty water.
Dams are another thing humans build that can change fresh water levels. Dams are used to collect water from rivers and send it to different places. But they can also stop rivers from flowing naturally, which can affect the water quality and the fish that need to swim up and down the river.
Now, let’s talk about the good stuff! There are many ways people are helping to protect our fresh water. For example, let’s look at the Elwha River in Olympic National Park, Washington. A big dam was built there almost 100 years ago, and it caused problems for the fish, especially the Pacific salmon. The dam blocked their path and made the water warmer, which wasn’t good for them.
In 2011, some awesome people decided to remove the dam. By early 2012, it was gone, and the river started to heal. Now, almost 160 kilometers of habitat have been restored for the salmon, and the Elwha River is looking great!
Since 1999, about 430 dams have been removed across the United States, helping rivers return to their natural state. People are also setting aside some fresh water areas as protected zones to keep them safe from pollution and overuse.
You can help too! Simple actions like taking shorter showers or turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth can make a big difference. Every little bit helps to protect our precious fresh water.
So, while some people have caused problems for our fresh water, many others are working hard to fix them. What are you waiting for? Let’s all do our part to save some water!
Water Detective: Become a water detective in your own home! With the help of an adult, explore different parts of your house to find where water is being used. Make a list of all the places you find, like the kitchen sink, bathroom, or garden hose. Then, think about ways you can save water in each place. For example, can you turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or use a watering can instead of a hose for plants?
Mini Water Cycle Experiment: Create your own mini water cycle to see how water moves in nature. You’ll need a clear plastic bag, a permanent marker, and some water. Draw a sun and clouds on the bag, then pour a small amount of water inside. Seal the bag and tape it to a sunny window. Watch over a few days as the water evaporates, condenses, and forms droplets, just like rain! Discuss with a friend or family member how this cycle helps keep our fresh water clean and available.
Story Time: The Journey of a Water Drop: Imagine you are a drop of water in a river. Write or draw a story about your journey. Where do you go? What do you see? Do you meet any animals or plants along the way? Think about how pollution or a dam might change your journey. Share your story with your class or family and talk about how we can help make the journey safe and clean for all water drops.
