3. What is a watershed?
We commonly visualize a watershed as a body of water
surrounded by trees or located in a forest. A watershed is a
region from which every drop of surface runoff drains towards
a common stream , river , or another body of water. It is a
drainage basin that usually becomes a source of domestic
water.
The water that eventually forms a river collects in an area
called the watershed. You would probably need rubber boots
to walk in a watershed in springtime. The ground would be
soggy with spring rains or melted snow. Watersheds are
usually high up on hills or mountains. Rain and melting snow
trickle through the watershed and form tiny streams. As the
streams flow downhill, they join together. The place where a
river begins is called its headwaters.
4.
5. Why are watersheds important?
Watersheds are the source of all the water we use. Water
enters the watershed as rain or snowmelt in the highlands.
It soaks into the ground to replenish aquifers and gathers
in ponds and creeks that feed larger streams and rivers. A
healthy watershed acts like a sponge, absorbing, storing,
and slowly releasing water.
Watersheds are important because the surface water
features and storm water runoff within a watershed
ultimately drain to other bodies of water. It is essential to
consider these downstream impacts when developing and
implementing water quality protection and restoration
actions. Everything upstream ends up downstream. We
need to remember that we all live downstream and that our
everyday activities can affect downstream waters.
6. Why are watersheds destroyed?
Deforestation
Trees help retain water and topsoil. When trees are cut
down, rainwater washes away soil- leading to a build up of
sediments in rivers. This sediment alters freshwater habitats,
disrupts navigation and damages coral reefs near river
mouths.
• Agriculture
Agriculture affects rivers in several ways, from the
extraction of water for irrigation purposes to runoff of
fertilizers and pesticides. When rivers carry high levels of
fertilizer into the ocean, the excess nutrients cause algae
blooms that remove oxygen from the water and can cause
massive “ dead zones “ where fish and other sea life cannot
live.
7. Dams
Dams pose a serious threat to our rivers by
disrupting the flows of water, which are vital to the
health of a watershed. They alter natural cycles of high
and low water and block pathways for migratory species.
Water Consumption
Cities, industry and agriculture all consume vast
quantities of water each year- leaving water levels so low
that some great rivers such as the Colorado and India’s
Ganges regularly no longer reach the sea.
8. Floodplain/ Wetland Conversion
The conversion of floodplains and wetlands for
agriculture and housing removes an essential part of a river
system that provides vital fish breeding habitats, stores flood
waters and acts as a natural filtration system.
Climate Change
Anticipated changes in rainfall and snowmelt as a
result of climate change will have a dramatic impact on our
lakes and rivers, increasing the likelihood of both droughts
and floods. Changes in water temperature and flows will
impact the reproductive cycles of fish and plants that are
carefully attuned to seasonal patterns in the water.
9. Ways to protect our Watersheds:
Plant trees and plants so that there will be more roots that
will absorb the water from the rain.
Consume the right amount of water. Do not waste the
water.
Replace asphalt driveways with pavers. This allows for
better drainage.
Use plants native to the area to reduce the need for
fertilizers and pesticides, which can seep into the ground
and water supply.
Fix leaky faucets and septic tanks to cut down on wasted
water and pollution.
Don’t pour toxic household chemicals down the drain; take
them to a hazardous waste center.
10. Do not over apply fertilizers. Consider using organic or
slow release fertilizers instead.
Recycle yard waste in a compost pile & use a mulching
mower.
Use surfaces like wood, brick or gravel for decks &
walkways; allows rain to soak in & not run off.
Never pour used oil or antifreeze into the storm drain
or the street.
Pick up after your dog, and dispose of the waste in the
toilet or the trash.
Drive less—walk or bike; many pollutants in our
waters come from car exhaust and car leaks.
