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What's a watershed?
 

NE Ohio Watershed Map

Watersheds are simply the land area that water flows across or under on its way to a stream, river, lake, or ocean. See a watershed graphic.

How do watersheds work?

The landscape is made up of many interconnected watersheds or basins. Within each watershed, all water runs to the lowest point - a stream, river, lake or ocean.

A watershed is sort of like a basin or bathtub where all water drains to a certain place. On its way through the watershed, water travels over the surface of the land whether it is farm fields, forestland, suburban lawns, or city streets. To watch this happen, view this watershed movie.

Water can also travel
under the land as it soaks into the ground and travels as groundwater.

Are all watersheds the same?


Not at all watersheds are the same! Watersheds come in many different shapes and sizes and have many different features. Watersheds can have hills or mountains or can be nearly flat.
They can have farmland, ranchland, small towns, and big cities.
Your watershed can have wetlands, lakes, small streams, forests, or deserts.


Your watershed community.


Everyone lives in a watershed. You and everyone in your watershed are part of a watershed community. The animals, birds and fish are, too. You influence what happens in your watershed whether good or bad by how you treat the natural resources: the soil, water, air, plants and animals. What happens in your local watershed also affects the watershed downstream. To find out in which watershed you live go to the Northeast Ohio Watershed Map.
 
   
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