What does it mean to say that rivers are important to the country’s economy? It means more than you might think!

Rivers play an essential role in our daily lives, whether we know it or not. They supply water to almost one fifth of all humans on Earth![1]

They also provide food and income to countless others who live along them or depend on them as a source of livelihood. This includes those who fish, boat, swim, rowboat, surf, or do anything else with waters. In fact, some of the most expensive real estate is close to a river!

Sadly, though, many people don’t appreciate this vital resource until something goes wrong. When this happens, devastation ensues.

In 2007 alone, over 1,600 deaths were linked to natural disasters.[2] Over half of these occurred due to floods. Another major cause of flooding-related death is poor flood warning systems, which fail to alert people when floods are coming.

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Fortunately, there are ways to help prevent, reduce, and recover from flooding damage. By being aware of how rivers work, what causes flooding, and how to prepare ahead of time, you will be better prepared to deal with flooding crises.

This article will go into detail about two main types of flooding: coastal flooding and inland flooding. Both can potentially devastate areas, so staying informed and practicing appropriate precautions is very important.

Effects of river floods

Many large cities depend on rivers to supply water for drinking, washing, and business. Businesses use the waters for manufacturing, and people enjoy spending time in areas with adequate supplies or that are protected from disasters.

Some examples of how important rivers can be to the economy include:

Businesses such as manufacturers rely on access to good waterways so they do not have to invest in expensive equipment that will likely never get used. This cuts down on budget expenses.

Utilities companies must maintain their infrastructure to provide reliable services. Power plants run on electricity which comes from coal, natural gas, or oil, all of which require water to produce.

People spend money while attending events like sports games or entertainment at venues along waterfronts or next to water. The more people who visit an area, the higher revenue it generates.

Research has shown that up to 70% of the cost of living is influenced by the environment, including water. Rising costs due to environmental concerns may put pressure on businesses to close or move away.

Effects of river pollution

As mentioned earlier, rivers are an essential part of our economy and way of life. They not only provide us with water, but they also aid in supporting the food chain by giving living space to various aquatic species.

Rivers play a crucial role in supplying drinking water to large portions of the population. About 70 percent of the world’s people get their drinking water from surface waters and groundwater.

Some studies even estimate that up to half of all freshwater is directly or indirectly connected to the production of pharmaceuticals![1] That means one bad day at the beach can have some serious consequences.

Drinking contaminated water can be harmful to your health, even if you are just using a small amount. Waterborne diseases can include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach ache, fever, and skin problems. Some disease groups even require medical treatment because it may lead to more severe illnesses like liver or kidney failure.

Many of these deadly conditions result in patients needing to be hospitalized. This has an additional cost due to hospitalization fees as well as lost wages while recovering at home.

In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year there are around 8,000 cases of water-related illness caused by exposure to polluted water.

Effects of drought

One major effect that rivers have on our economy is how they influence real estate. If there are no water levels, then we cannot build homes or do business with building or remodeling houses.

Dams play an important role in our economy as well. They not only help generate power, but also produce new revenue through things like boat rentals and swimming pools. Dams even create jobs by offering services to people who use them!

Many industries rely heavily on moving water, so when it’s gone, they too suffer. For example, boats need lots of water to run properly, and factories make products that depend on water flow for processing.

Effects of earthquakes

Following an earthquake, there can be significant damage to buildings or structures. This is because ground movement disrupts how solid objects are supported by the soil under them.

When this happens, stress is placed on the object due to gravity. This could eventually cause failure and/or collapse.

If you live in an area that experiences earthquakes frequently, it’s important to know some basic tips to help keep yourself and your family safe.

However, knowing about what happens immediately after an earthquake is also very important so that you don't have to take extra precautions later.

Research shows that rivers play an essential role in weakening the strength of the earth's crust following an earthquake. When water flows into a void left by collapsed rock, it displaces nearby air which then rushes in to fill the empty space.

This process causes vibrations that reduce the load bearing capacity of the surrounding land.

As such, river flooding can have lasting positive effects on the quake recovery!

You may have heard of something called rebound effect before. The same thing happens following a flood – water slowly seeps back out of the porous surface layer of the Earth.

This re-compacts the displaced material and strengthens the affected region. It was seen as one of the reasons why floods sometimes rebuild weak areas and strengthen the soil.

Rebound effect doesn't occur with every type of flooded terrain though, so it isn't always possible to use this trick.

Effects of hurricanes

Recent major hurricane disasters have caused significant economic damage, including lost business with no openings during cleanup and rebuilding efforts, property loss, and disruptions to local economies due to closed roads, airports, and seaports.

In fact, according to one study, every $1 billion in direct costs from a major hurricane is enough to create up to three million new jobs![1] Businesses that were directly impacted by a storm can make repairs or changes to prevent future losses, which helps keep the economy moving forward.

Some studies also estimated that it will take at least five years before all the economic effects of Hurricane Harvey are completely felt.[2] While some renovations may be limited until safety restrictions are lifted, there are many ways you can help mitigate the impact on the country’s economy.

You might not realize how much influence your daily habits have on our environment, but you should. Starting today, try to use less water for an hour and see what happens. If people around you are aware of the effect their water usage has, they’ll probably do the same thing to reduce their own impacts.

We’ve got your back river-wise. Check out these tips on how to save water and learn about the different types of rivers we depend on for health and prosperity.

Effects of tsunamis

Recent natural disasters have shown just how significant rivers are to our economy and way of life. Tsunamis, floods, and hurricanes can devastate areas and pose serious threats to people.

But what most people don’t realize is that not only do they cause billions in damage each year, but their aftereffects carry important lessons for those living near water.

Many industries rely heavily on water for production, so when these facilities are hit by flooding or other catastrophes, it can hurt business. All sorts of businesses depend on fresh water, from manufacturing plants to agricultural operations to drinking supplies and fashions.

Damage caused by a tsunami, hurricane, or flood can also cost huge amounts of money to repair or rebuild. This adds up to more than just suffering hardship — it can end up being very expensive!

Fortunately, research has found ways to help restore lost productivity after a disaster. Read on to find out some easy things you can do to protect yourself and your community during times like this.

Effects of natural disasters

Recent hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, and storms have had significant impacts on our economy and daily lives. These disruptions can cost billions of dollars in damages and impact how people live their lives.

In fact, according to the Federal Government, every year more than 200 major natural disasters result in 1 million emergency room visits and 10 million hospitalizations. This is due to health effects from contaminated water, power outages, and destroyed homes and property.

Many businesses suffer substantial revenue losses when they cannot conduct business during these times because of disrupted supply chains or closed facilities.

Floods, fires, and drought can destroy large amounts of agricultural products, which are then either not produced or wasted. A lack of food can put stress on individuals and communities, especially on vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.

Health issues related to hazardous waste exposure often arise after a disaster, with many hospitals having to treat patients exposed to harmful substances. In some cases, infectious diseases spread rapidly due to broken sanitation systems.

Ways to protect rivers

The health of our waterways is an important factor in determining how well America will prosper in the future. It has significant impacts on not just our economy, but also our general quality of life.

Many things that we now take for granted as essential services were made possible due to the presence and healthy flow of water in our country.

Water is necessary for both human consumption and production of many products including food, medicine and energy. We depend upon it heavily because it is simply too expensive to purchase or produce without it.

It is worth mentioning that most Americans live about one month beyond their average hydrological year. This means that even small changes can have large effects on the environment and the economy.

Sustainable practices such as using efficient irrigation methods and recycling wastewater are ways to preserve our natural resources while still living a comfortable lifestyle.

Fortunately, there are several easy actions you can take to help save water and promote river conservation. In fact, some of these tips are free!

Some of the best ways to conserve water include replacing your shower with a bath, limiting water use during the day and washing dishes by hand rather than using a dishwasher.

Running your tap for a minute before each task helps prevent excess waste. You can also install smart toilets which recognize when you’re running the water for a washable item and cut off automatically.