Water is a beautiful liquid, the base of all our life on. Without water, humans would not survive. Nothing would. Water is the key source to all life on Earth.

     Everywhere you look, you see water. Our water comes from the Tuolumne River, which starts in Yosemite Valley, and winds down through a string of reservoirs such as the Hetch Hetchy and the San Pablo reservoir. This is very pure and sweet water, delicious and cooling to the taste and nice and clean to wash with. Tuolumne water is some of the best fresh water in the world!

     Yet there is a bountiful supply of this magical liquid from the Tuolumne, water is a very limited natural resource. Only 2.5% of the Earth’s water is not salty, and the majority of it lies in great underground aquifers, leaving a mere 1.3% of Earth’s fresh water easily accessible to humans (or 0.007% of all of the Earth’s water). And the plants and animals need water too. But many water sources are being polluted! Watersheds are large, low-lying areas of land that drain directly to a river or other water source. If the watersheds are polluted, then so is the river! The majority of the world does not have clean water to drink, and we are very lucky to get clean water from the Tuolumne.

     Conserving water is important. We must protect this valuable resource! But many obstacles stand in our way – thirst, plants, cleanliness, cooking, and many other needs. A few easy water conservation tips include turning off water when you’re not using it: wash dished in a basin instead of leaving the sink on, and turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. Water your garden in the cooler hours, so the water doesn’t evaporate. Some people even take buckets to save this ever-useful liquid when they’re waiting for water to heat up in the shower. The recycled water, or gray water, can be used to water plants, wash dishes, and help wash cars.

     Whenever my family and I go on road trips, we enjoy stopping by cool lakes and streams to swim in. Occasionally, we will find a sun-warmed spot, but the water temperature is mostly frigid-cold. We have discovered swimming holes, ponds, and special lake spots that make our trips unique and memorable. These wonderful pockets liven up trips and create special memories. Once, we even found a swimming hole in a river deep enough to dive into! It is so pleasant to find a clean place to cool off in, especially when we have encountered a long, boring, hot drive. Finding a watering hole is like seeing the sun come out after a month of rain!!

     Water is the most wonderful natural resource. Wherever you go, water is with you. This ingenious resource is in nearly everything you see, from trees to trashcans. Water is the key source to any and all life on Earth.