The Thirst Quenchers

"The Thirst Quenchers" by Rick Raphael is a science fiction story set in a future America struggling with water scarcity, where hydrologists Troy Braden and Alec Patterson face both technological challenges and natural disasters in their fight to secure this vital resource. Their mission to fix a crucial snow gauge in the Idaho Sawtooth Mountains turns perilous when an earthquake damages critical water reservoirs. Braden and Patterson must devise a plan with laser technology to recover the rapidly disappearing water supply, against time and the looming threat of radioactive contamination, to prevent a catastrophic regional drought. The story emphasizes themes of environmental responsibility and innovative water management in a world threatened by overuse and natural crises.