What is a Watershed?

A watershed refers to an area in which water and sediment drain to a common outlet, such as a larger stream, a lake, or even an ocean. Watersheds have no physical, social, or political boundaries, and therefore, do not necessarily, stop at a township, county, or state line. Watersheds can even span across several counties or states.

 Watershed boundaries are established for individual lakes, creeks, and rivers. The soil types and elevations for a particular lake or river determine the size of the watershed and where its boundaries lie. Every large watershed is composed of numerous smaller ones and are commonly referred to as sub-watersheds. 

What is the Watershed Approach?

The watershed approach is a concept that addresses working with local, state, federal, and private agencies and organizations in identifying the water quality needs and concerns for a particular watershed. This approach allows these agencies and organizations to administer technical and educational assistance based on the characteristics of the individual watershed, while best managing its natural resources-- soil, water, air, plants, and animals.

Image courtesy of www.riverwatershed.org