by Dan Hare

As much or more water collects and flows underground than in this Tennessee surface river.

“Water…water…everywhere and not a drop to drink” is a well-known phrase that reminds us that wildlife need clean water to survive. If we try to think about water as part of a wildlife habitat complex, we need to get a better idea of how water becomes such an important habitat element. How does it affect the land and the wildlife trying to survive there? While we are at it, we need to remember how important it is for our survival as well.

We all know that food, shelter and water are the primary things necessary to sustain life, but water is pretty high up the ladder of survival! For many of you, if you took a look out your window this past winter you wondered if the snow was ever going to leave! There were many parts of the country that experienced extreme cold, ice and snowfall.

Well, there is the first clue as to where the water comes from. Whether you are from the mountain states of the West, the upper Great Plains states or Midwestern states, you probably recognized all of that snow! As you read this, all the snow is gone from the front yard. But…just where did it go?
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