Imagine you’re preparing for a hike on a hot summer day. You’re heading into the woods, far from home, restaurants, and even other people. What’s one super important thing you should pack? Besides a compass, map, hiking boots, first aid kit, and food, the most important thing is water. Specifically, freshwater. After walking in the heat, nothing feels better than some ice-cold H2O.
You might wonder why you can’t just drink from a stream or river during your hike. Well, it’s not that simple. Freshwater is water that doesn’t have a lot of salt in it, and it’s found in small amounts on our planet. So, there’s no guarantee you’ll find any freshwater on your hike.
Most of Earth’s water is in the oceans, which are huge and salty. In fact, about 97% of the planet’s water is salty. Freshwater is found in lakes, rivers, ponds, wetlands, and streams, but it makes up only about 3% of the total water supply. Of that, about 2% is locked up in glaciers or underground, leaving less than 1% accessible to us and the plants and animals we share the planet with.
Different ecosystems have different amounts of freshwater. For example, a rainforest has more than a desert. While some ecosystems need more water than others, all need some freshwater to survive. So, what happens when the amount of freshwater in an ecosystem changes?
The Colorado River is a crucial water source for over 40 million people in the southwestern United States. It’s used for farming, drinking, and more. However, there’s much less water in the river now than there was almost 100 years ago. In the 1920s, there were more than 22 trillion liters of water in the river. Today, there’s about 4 trillion liters less.
Humans are using more water every year, leaving less for future generations. A graph shows how our dependence on the river has grown over the years. The amount of water available has mostly gone down, while the amount we use has gone up. Some people worry that our demand will surpass the available water, and they should be concerned.
Less freshwater doesn’t just mean less water for people; it also affects plants and animals. The vaquita, a rare porpoise in the Gulf of California, has struggled with less freshwater in its ecosystem. Today, there are fewer than 100 vaquitas left. Many other animals rely on the Colorado River, and we need to take action to protect them.
Yes, freshwater levels can change, and it’s not good news for the biosphere. That’s why it’s important to use less freshwater than is available. Otherwise, there might not be enough water for us to survive. Fortunately, some amazing people are working to keep our planet’s freshwater levels balanced. Stay tuned to learn more about what they’re doing and how you can help!
Water Detective: Become a water detective in your own home! With the help of an adult, explore different sources of water in your house. Look for places where you use water, like the kitchen sink, bathroom, or garden hose. Try to find out where this water comes from. Is it from a river, a reservoir, or somewhere else? Draw a map of your house and mark all the places where you find water. Discuss with your family how you can save water in these areas.
Make Your Own Rainforest: Create a mini rainforest in a jar to see how ecosystems use water. You’ll need a clear jar with a lid, some small plants, soil, and a little water. Place the soil and plants in the jar, add a small amount of water, and close the lid. Place the jar in a sunny spot and observe what happens over a few days. Notice how the water cycles inside the jar, just like in a real rainforest. Talk about why water is important for the plants and what might happen if there wasn’t enough water.
Freshwater Friends: Think about the animals mentioned in the article, like the vaquita. Draw a picture of your favorite animal that lives in or near freshwater. Write a short story about how this animal might feel if there was less water in its home. Share your story with a friend or family member and discuss ways we can help protect these animals by saving water.
