Water

Water is one of the most important natural resources flowing from forests. The Forest Service manages the largest single source of water in U.S., with about one-fifth originating from 193 million acres of land. A network of water and watershed resource specialists support stewardship efforts at all levels of the organization to promote healthy, sustainable watersheds fundamental to ecosystems and people.

“Climate change has been linked to declining snowpacks, retreating glaciers, and changing patterns of precipitation and runoff. The evidence shows that we are entering a period of water scarcity not seen in our history. The national forests were created in part for ‘securing favorable conditions of water flows,’ the importance of which has grown as populations have grown. We can make a difference by managing national forests and grasslands to restore ecological processes and functions that support clean and healthy streams, lakes, and aquifers.”

—Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell

Quick Facts

Forests in the United States provide drinking water to more than 180 million people.

Sixty-six million people rely on a national forest as their water source.

At least 36 States anticipate water shortages within the next 10 years—GAO, 2003.

40 percent of the world’s population will be living in water-scarce regions by 2025— World Resource Institute, 2002.

Water Cycle

US Forest Service
Last modified October 02, 2008
http://www.fs.fed.us