“In time and with water, everything changes.” — Leonardo Da Vinci, Artist.

In the past year of 2019, it was reported the space telescope had detected water vapor in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18b, orbiting a star out of Earth’s solar system, 110 light years away. Evidence of water on celestial bodies generates excitement as it is necessary for nurturing and maintaining life as we know it. Water not only supports individual health — 60% of an adult’s body is water — it facilitates industry and community building.

The coming year of 2020 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Environmental Protection Agency and Earth Day, legislation and an event borne of an incident, the Cuyahoga River fire of June 22, 1969. Although the river had burned in previous years, on this occasion public concern was galvanized to accept responsibility for the reality of our actions. Prior to this, David E. Newton, author of “Chemistry of the Environment,” commented, “Fundamentally, this level of degradation was accepted as a sign of success.”

Frank Samsel operated a boat called the Putzfrau (German — “cleaning lady”) that removed chemicals and debris from the Cuyahoga in the 1970s, he said of the river, “It smelled like a septic tank, it literally bubbled and produced methane.”

Today people kayak and paddle board on the river, and restaurants and bars line the banks.

It is the nature of mankind to have a sense of supremacy over the elements of nature, controlling and managing for our own purpose — water being the most obvious target of manipulation. In recognition of the Cuyahoga River fire, the Cleveland Art Museum presented an exhibit by Edward Burtynsky, photographer, whose images depict the consequences of massive efforts made to control and use water. In his mind, the flow of water, once altered, is no longer natural.

“God affects the lakes in a matter of feet, humans affects them in inches, but when you are dealing in extremes, inches make a difference,” said Roger Gauthier, hydrologist, Army Corps of Engineers.

The Great Lakes are at the highest level since record keeping began in 1918, and the increase in volume of water has caused erosion in places once considered secure. Locks and dams operated by the Army Corps of Engineers on the Saint Mary’s River and the St. Lawrence River, operated by the International Joint Commission, affects water levels, but not enough to offset weather patterns.

Acknowledging the impact of human activity and emphasizing the need to maintaining the quality of water resources is imperative for the future. In Northeast Michigan we are fortunate to have an abundance of fresh water, but also a source of knowledge — the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The Friends of the TBNMS will sponsor a film festival that focuses on issues related to water worldwide and specifically in the Great Lakes Basin. It is the eighth annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival, beginning Jan. 22 and ending Jan. 26.

“Between earth and earth’s atmosphere, the amount of water is never a drop more, never a drop less. This is the story of circular infinity, a planet birthing itself.” — Linda Hogan, Native American, author.

Tom Brindley grew up in Iowa, and studied journalism and accounting. He is a retired controller from Alpena Community College and has been active in local nonprofit organizations. He can be reached at bindletom@hotmail.com. Read him here on the first and fifth Thursday of each month.