What they are
A watershed is a channel or ‘between-point’ that takes rain and snow from an area of land to a body of water. Watersheds are always located higher than the lakes, rivers, and streams they supply water to. A watershed is also known as a drainage or water basin, a catchment area, or an impluvium, depending on where you are.
Why we need them
Even in an urban area, you live in a watershed. Watersheds are what support everyone’s access to clean water. According to the EPA:
“Healthy watersheds provide critical services, such as clean drinking water, productive fisheries, and outdoor recreation, that support our economies, environment and quality of life.”
As such, if there is any pollution in a community body of water, the watershed is one of the main things investigated. It’s vital that the health of a watershed is maintained for the overall physical and mental health of the community, the aquatic and floral environment, and the economy. Much is being done to keep track of watershed conditions as well as the volume and quality of their connected bodies of water.
Check out the EPA website to find out what you can do to help maintain healthy watersheds!