Too many people take the Great Lakes for granted. We asked you what you would miss most in a day without our amazing freshwater resource, and you responded.
Today, October 17, is Imagine a Day Without Water, a national movement highlighting the value of water in our lives.
To mark the day, we’re sharing your words to remind everyone why the Great Lakes and clean water matter so much in our lives – and why it’s so important to protect them.
“Access to an abundance of fresh water.” – Shannon, Ohio
“I would miss the St. Lawrence River, the cool water, the fish and wind and waves. The sunset, the breeze through the Thousand Islands, the swirling currents, and all the animals that live in the foliage along the shores.” – Marie, New York
“Were [the lakes] depleted or severely polluted, billions and billions of living creatures would die, and barren lands would result. They give life-drinking water to millions of animals, plants and oxygen producers, and humans. They give renewal and peace to soul and spirit.” – Patricia, Michigan
“It is only a short drive for me to take a turn in the road to see Lake Huron. As soon as I do that, my spirit quiets down, and I feel peace.” – Veronica, Michigan
“While access to fresh water for drinking is what I would miss most, I would also miss summer swimming along the lakefront at Promontory Point, taking in the sunrise, seeing the cormorants and bass and enjoying the community of my fellow swimmers.” – Dana, Illinois
“We Americans are privileged to have this magnificent, beautiful, bountiful, life-giving resource in our country… We must take care of our Great Lakes; it is our duty to protect them.” – Gail, Illinois
“The magnificent vista of sky and sea especially when a storm is brewing or has just passed.” Elaine, New York
“Without our Great Lakes, I would miss most, my first glass of cold fresh water directly from the tap.” – Andy, Ontario
“I would miss the tap water coming out of my sink. I have heard terrible stories of other places having bad tap water. I am so grateful for having clean, fresh, non-polluted drinking water to drink from.” – Christi, Illinois
“Born and raised by the shores of Lake Michigan and transplanted by Superior’s, I have lived my whole life enjoying the water itself and the abundant biodiversity that shares these Great Lakes with us. They are my home and their inhabitants, my family. I would miss my home and my family.” – Aleks, Wisconsin
“Anchoring into the sound of the waves and the gulls, feeling the cold water breathe into me, seeing the sun glimmer across the surface. There’s nothing that brought me peace in the way that Lake Michigan did when I lived in Chicago.” – McKalah, Indiana
“Truth is, without the Great Lakes we probably wouldn’t be here. Next time you cross the Mighty Mac or take a ferry to Mackinaw Island; take a moment to really appreciate how spectacular the Great Lakes are. Next time you catch a fish in one of the five most amazing freshwater lakes on earth, think about what it would be like if that lake wasn’t there.” – Robyn, Michigan
Thank you for sharing the ways we are all connected with the lakes! These are the reasons we are fighting to protect our most precious resource: the fresh, clean, and natural waters of the Great Lakes.