Water Area per U.S. Census Tract
Water is a defining feature of our landscapes, shaping ecosystems, economies, and communities. John Nelson’s map is really helpful for understanding the water distribution in the United States. It shows the water area per U.S. Census Tract, which is pretty cool. On this visualization, each dot represents the surface area of 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Nelson’s map is based on information from the U.S. Census Bureau’s TIGER/Line Shapefiles, which include geographic information of detailed kind including land and water area of each Census Tract.
Water-Rich and Water-Poor Regions
Water distribution is uneven across the United States. Michigan has the highest percentage of water area (41.5% of its total area is covered with water). This is because it is situated close to the Great Lakes and various lakes and ponds in the interior.
On the other hand, Arizona and New Mexico possess some of the lowest water area proportions, at 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively. These arid regions contain limited surface water resources, which pose challenges to water supply and management.
Water Quality Across the States
Water quantity is just half the story; quality is just as important. Hawaii, Tennessee, and Alabama are among those states which are known for having excellent quality drinking water, frequently derived from pristine aquifers and well-designed systems.
Meanwhile, Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, and California have had significant water quality issues. In 2019, over 1 million Californians had unhealthy drinking water, with numerous public water systems violating EPA standards. Texas similarly had thousands of infractions impacting millions of residents as well.
Future Outlook and Considerations
Climate change, demographic expansion, and industrial endeavors keep on having their effects upon both the abundance and quality of water resources. Watersheds that are already under water deficiency risks might endure elevated challenges while water-rich lands will have to live sustainably to avert exploitation.
