Fresh Water Facts Coloring Sheet

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Learning about freshwater is made possible by: Sherwood Kids audio app for kids and nature and science books from a biblical worldview from Master Books.

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How Much Fresh Water Is on Earth?

When God gathered the waters and formed the dry land in Genesis 1, He was setting the stage for life. Today, we enjoy oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams, but most of the water on Earth is saltwater. Around 97 percent of Earth’s water is in the oceans, meaning it cannot be used for drinking or by most land animals.

Only 3 percent of Earth’s water is freshwater. To picture this, imagine a cup holding 100 drops of water. Ninety-seven of those drops would be salty, leaving just three drops of fresh water. But the numbers get even smaller. Most of that freshwater is frozen in glaciers and ice caps. God designed those frozen reserves for His creation, but they are not water we can easily reach.

Of the remaining fresh water, about 22 percent is underground as groundwater. That means only around 1 percent of Earth’s freshwater is in lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams. Out of the whole cup of 100 drops of water, only one tiny drop represents all the fresh water available on the surface for people and animals to drink.

This small amount reminds us just how carefully God designed the earth. Even though the fresh water we can use is such a tiny portion of the water on the planet, God created systems to move it, store it, and bring it to where living things need it.

God’s Design for Fresh Water

Psalm 104 describes how God shaped mountains, valleys, and springs so water would flow across the land. Springs bring underground water to the surface. Snow and rain soak into the ground, filling aquifers made of sand, gravel, or porous rock. That water slowly moves underground until it reaches a point where it emerges as a freshwater spring. Birds nest near it, animals drink from it, and plants thrive because of it.

This underground water is the majority of earth’s usable freshwater, and God designed it to move gently and continually, always working to provide for His creatures.

A Reminder of God’s Care

Learning how much fresh water is on earth helps us see how dependent we are on God’s design. With only a tiny fraction available for drinking, He still ensures that rivers flow, springs bubble, and rain returns to the earth. Every drop tells a story of His wisdom and His care.

Learn more about freshwater on our podcast for kids: