I do not profess to have any of the facts concerning the river flows in the Mississippi, Missouri or Illinois rivers. I do not know the present, maximum or minimum water levels in the reservoirs. I do not know how many reservoirs are available to hold water for future needs. I do not know how much water is needed for farm irrigation water, drinking water or to keep the fish alive.

I do know that water can be very important if you don't have any.

I do know that water storage is important and hard to store in flat areas. I do not see much effort being made to provide alternative storage in the flat areas. I will say that once water is released and free to flow, it is difficult to make water flow uphill.

Water is not the only mode of transportation, but water is one of the main elements in the cycle of life. Without it, no food, nothing to drink, no animals, nothing grows, but there will be lots of dust if there is a market for it.

One event, politicians demanded a state's water department to release water from reservoirs to facilitate an event. Sadly, those politicians blamed others when there was little water for the next season.

Just things to think about, sink, swim, float or walk across a future dry river bed. Common sense and logic will figure it out, but alas, I fear these things are lacking at the moment.

Lew Hiatt

Belleville