Audrey Purkeypile was born in northern Alaska in 1927 during a remarkable era of Alaskan history. Surrounded by the wondrous beauty of untamed land, Audrey's parents raised their family alongside the affable Eskimos, daring bush pilots, and rugged trappers and gold miners. They contributed to the development of the Territory of Alaska in their diverse roles as teacher, postmaster, health officer, and reindeer superintendent. In this poignant memoir, author Cheryl Schuermann has captured the delightful stories of her mother's childhood in When the Water Runs. Audrey's memories and life lessons learned will provide readers with an inside look at a young girl's experiences as she grows up with Alaska, America's last frontier.