Water Demands Draining U.S. Rivers: Many Rivers Suffering from Severe Water Shortages

Environmental News Service ^ | 04/10/2003 | J.R. Pegg

[_Jim]

"Water can neither be created nor destroyed" - yet ...

[cogitator]

While water shortages may be a local issue, I seem to remember from my high school freshman science course (45 years is a long time ago) that there is no less or more water than there has ever been, that the form it's in may change (liquid, solid, etc.), and the place it's in may change, but it's all still here.

Pretty much true, but the quality of freshwater is the main concern. And as water is diverted for various uses, natural systems may not get enough water to maintain ecosystem integrity. The Mattaponi River example in the article is a good one.

[_Jim]

Who is taking the water and hiding it?

LOL!

[cogitator]

Where in the hell is all the water going from the "melting of ice cap"

Into the ocean, where it doesn't do much good for human consumption.

[_Jim]

   " Strategic Water Reserve "

I *love* it!

[metesky]

Pretty much true, but the quality of freshwater is the main concern.

Water can be purified. The people of Lawrence, Massachusetts have been drinking, bathing and cooking with Merrimack River water for forty years. Zero dead.

[blackdog]

The best I can figure, is that we big o'l bipod sacks o' water that walk around contain about 15 gallons per head. We could solve the crisis by Jim Jones-ing the entire population except the National Oceanographic Administration who could dutifully record the 750 billion gallons of water returned to the global resivior.

At least my dirty car, brown lawn, and low flush toilet won't be of much importance to me any more.

[blackdog]

The sun evaporates and purifies about a few hundred billion gallons of ocean water per hour. Ignore the idiots around here!

[Walkingfeather]

Here is the problem...

The conservation organization's report, "America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2003,"

This is not news this is a press release that is generated by a group that is required to do these reports in the media to attain more funding..... if they doctor statistics or make up a report here or there ....well that is good for the cause ( in their eyes) and so justifies it. Can you see next years report saying " there is a vast improvment in americas rivers and the need just isn't as great anymore...." YEA RIGHT.... this is about funding not truth.

[blackdog]

I've been wondering about something. All our environmental extremist friends are celebrating the anticipated demise of combustion engines and getting all wet and gooey over hydrogen fuel cell cars.

Well.....What would become of all that hydrogen? Isn't it's biggest source that of which is water once you remove the oxygen? Won't hydrogen cars be splitting bonds of water, taking it out of the ecosystem?

[Walkingfeather]

Actually I think we start with the gas Hydrogen and in the process of conversion the byproduct is water. But you have to realize it is not the fact that we drive SUV's. It is the fact that we are the "little people" of this world... We are not important enough to have our own vehicles when there is a graffiti covered gang bang laden bus or subway over there that can take you ( in tripple the amount of time) that your car can. It is because they want to create an elitist class so they can drive the roads, visit the national parks, without us little people interfering in their oh so important lives. That is why you see such double standard hypocracy in Arianna Huffington and the like. Just like in WWII . All those stars that told us that we need to conserve or use ration coupons or not do any unneccessary travel had no problems, no rations , no restrictions because the govt. said you move the masses and you'll want for nothing.... That kind of entitlement treatment goes to your head very fast.

[farmfriend]

This is not news this is a press release that is generated by a group that is required to do these reports in the media to attain more funding..... if they doctor statistics or make up a report here or there ....well that is good for the cause ( in their eyes) and so justifies it.

Have you read Carry_Okie's book?