Links - Watershed

What is a Watershed & How does it Function?

A watershed is an area that drains surface water to a creek, river or lake. "(W)atersheds collect water from rainfall and snowmelt, storing some of this precipitation in wetlands, soils, trees, and other vegetation, and underground in aquifers. The floodplain along the banks of a river also serves as an important storage site for water during periods of heavy runoff. These natural storage sites help eliminate contaminants as suspended particles settle out and as water infiltrates into the soil where biological and chemical reactions can break down impurities. Some of this stored water eventually flows into streams, rivers, and lakes as runoff.

Ecologically, watersheds provide critical habitat for many plant and animal species, as well as transport paths for sediment, nutrients, minerals, and a variety of chemicals. Watersheds also provide water to human communities for drinking, cleaning, recreation, navigation, hydroelectric power, and manufacturing."

From OSU Fact Sheet, “Community Based Watershed Management” ohioline.osu.edu/ws-fact/0001.html

Government Agencies and Sites

Summit Soil and Water Conservation District -- Storm water management and riparian set backs. Be sure to look at the Publications page for well done brochures on Rain Gardens, Storm Water Pollution Solutions, Living at the Water's Edge, and others. Links to regulations.

EPA-- Clean Water Act .

U S Geological Survey Ground Water Information Pages -- Articles with great information and diagrams.

Ohio EPA Information, legislation, rules and draft rules dealing with air & water pollution, surface & ground water, waste management, and lots more.

Resource Sites

Center for Watershed Protection -- Information and tools. Check out the Why Watersheds slide show.

Smart Growth -- How can we develop places that are wonderful for people and the environment? For an introduction see Getting to Smart Growth and Getting to Smart Growth II.