Most people do not realize how important healthy rivers are to the growth and vitality of American Cities.
And really rivers and water ways are important regardless of the state, province, country, or continent.
Rivers matter and so too does all of the fresh water supplies on this planet.
You see, although we live on a sphere that has 2/3 of its surface covered in water 97% of it is undrinkable for humans.
Thus, the fresh water in our rivers is crucial for survival.
This means that clean and uncontaminated water supplies are of supreme consideration.
When rivers run dry due to drought or become too polluted to use, cities die and they are left in economic decay.
In the last few decades we've seen underground water supplies and rivers run dry due to drought and folks had to truck in water.
Yet, in doing so, real estate prices both on the residential and commercial side hit the skids, and businesses that need water for manufacturing or processing generally have no choice but to move and go elsewhere, taking their jobs with them.
Another very notable observation is those cities that use the river for tourism.
Take for instance San Antonio's River Walk, a famous attraction that brings in massive amounts of tourist dollars.
Then there are casinos that are along rivers that use them as a drawing point for visitors.
Still, all in all, humans like being by the water, it must be innate.
And chances are if there is a river in your city, if there wasn't there might not be a city there at all.
So please consider all this.