Water Drops

An introduction to our most precious natural resource.

An introduction to our most precious natural resource.

In this engaging book, hydrologist Peter E. Black celebrates the wonder of our planet's most precious natural resource. In these brief, nontechnical essays, readers are introduced to water's unique scientific properties, the vital role it plays in Earth's ecology and ecosystems, and the impact it has had on human history, culture, art, law, and economics. At turns educational and inspirational, humorous and reverent, the book also sounds a cautionary note: water is abundant, but it is also scarce. Only three percent of the earth's water is fresh, and only a small percentage of that fresh water is available for human use and consumption. Therefore, it must be managed carefully, and understood, lest we find ourselves with too little, too late.

Peter E. Black is Distinguished Teaching Professor of Water and Related Land Resources, Emeritus, at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. His previous books include Watershed Hydrology, Second Edition (with Brian L. Fisher) and Conservation of Water and Related Land Resources, Third Edition. He lives in Syracuse, New York.

"Informative and even entertaining, Water Drops is an encyclopedic look at water in its various manifestations … It is a celebration of water, the elixir of all life." — d-sector.org

"Peter Black, in Water Drops, has provided us a much-needed guide to understanding water and water issues. He has put to paper his more than forty years of experience in the field of water management and given us his perceptive insights. If every other day a family that is sitting down to dinner would read one of his essays and spend a few minutes at the table discussing its implication in their lives, over the course of a year we would produce individuals and family units that recognize and are motivated to do something about our water challenges." — from the Foreword by Gerald E. Galloway, University of Maryland

"…easily accessible to anyone who wishes to learn more about the science of hydrology." — CHOICE

"Originally written as ninety-second NPR radio broadcasts, these essays drip, drip, drip a litany of fascinating facts and endearments … Informative and entertaining, Water Drops will motivate people into furthering their knowledge of this invaluable substance." — ForeWord Reviews

"An encyclopedic look at water resources, told by a master storyteller. Water Drops is a must read for all interested in water, the environment, and natural resources." — Michael J. Kowalski, Director of Operations, American Water Resources Association

"Two of my favorite water drops are 'Black Ice' and 'Center Pivot Irrigation.' As a reporter for many years, I often covered the multicar pileups blamed on black ice—Peter explained what made this ice, unlike other ice, so invisible and therefore much more treacherous. And 'Center Pivot Irrigation' is the story behind a man-made 'wonder of water' that is visible from 35,000 feet. The joy and enthusiasm of the author comes through in every segment." — David E. White, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry