How do rivers and lakes benefit the economy of the United States?

Question

How do rivers and lakes benefit the economy of the United States?

Answer 1

On purely economic terms then not much, as freight is not really carried on barges any more, i suppose they contribute to tourism! On a deeper level they are fundamental to the economy, as people live near water...no water, no people, no economy.

Answer 2

For the some of the most general examples; transportation, hydroelectric power, fishing, tourism, ice [not so much any more but in the 18/ early 19 hundreds this was a huge economy], occasional source of fresh water, a source of irrigation for crops

Answer 3

They are the same reasons as for the rivers and lakes in any country. Potable water, transportation, irrigation, food source, recreation, power generation etc, etc, etc.