<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.3.4″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.3.4″][et_pb_cta title=”What is a watershed?” button_text=”Click Here” _builder_version=”4.3.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ background_color=”#03244d”][\/et_pb_cta][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.3.4″ hover_enabled=”0″]
A watershed<\/strong> is defined as\u00a0an area of land that drains into the same place. This common location is the lowest point of the watershed and can be any body of water, like a river, ocean, or lake.<\/p>\n To visualize\u00a0how a watershed works,\u00a0cup your hands in front of you as if you were going to drink from them. Imagine that your hands are a land form with a cloud raining down upon them. No matter where the raindrops land, they will flow\u00a0down to the common low point where your hands meet. In this example, your fingertips are the tops of the hills where a river\u2019s headwaters<\/strong> begin. The middle of your hands are the valleys<\/strong> where a\u00a0river flows. The creases of your hands are the tributary<\/strong>streams that come together to form the river. Where the water leaves your wrist is the mouth<\/strong> of the river where it flows into a larger river, and eventually the ocean.\u00a0This is the basic concept of a watershed.<\/p>\n This video provides an excellent, concise explanation:<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=QOrVotzBNto” _builder_version=”4.3.4″ hover_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.3.4″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.3.4″][et_pb_cta title=”Why are watersheds important?” _builder_version=”4.3.4″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#03244d” hover_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_cta][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.3.4″ hover_enabled=”0″] Of all of the water on the planet (and in the atmosphere), only 2.5% is freshwater. Of that 2.5%, less than 2%<\/strong> is actively involved in the water cycle and available for use (see USGS: Where is Earth\u2019s Water?<\/a>). It is our responsibility to keep this small percentage of available water clean and usable for generations to come. How does this relate to watersheds?\u00a0We\u2019ve all heard the saying \u201cwhat goes up must come down.\u201d The principle of this saying is applicable to watersheds; everything that happens upstream affects everything downstream. Everyone is\u00a0affected by this principle, as we are all downstream of other watersheds and the health of your watershed can directly affect your personal health. Pollution in your water source can find its way into your body, be it through food, drinking water, air, or even soil.<\/p>\n It is important to\u00a0love thy downstream neighbor<\/strong> by being conscious of your upstream activities.\u00a0Build up good watershed karma by minimizing pollution in your watershed and preserving our limited water resource.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.3.4″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.3.4″][et_pb_cta title=”Learn more” _builder_version=”4.3.4″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#03244d” hover_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_cta][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.3.4″ hover_enabled=”0″] This interactive map<\/a> of the hydrologic cycle provides explanations and examples for each different part of the cycle.<\/p>\n