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What is a Watershed?
In simplest terms, a watershed is an area of land that drains all of its water to one specific
point. The boundary of a watershed is defined by the path of highest elevation surrounding a given
stream or network of streams. A drop of rainwater falling outside of this boundary will enter
another watershed and will flow to a different point.
No matter where you live, work, or play you are within a watershed!
The size of a watershed can vary from a few acres for a small stream to many square miles. A
stream watershed will have subwatersheds within it and will be part of a larger river basin. The
watersheds within Cuyahoga County are part of the larger Lake Erie Watershed basin.
How Do YOU Affect Your Watershed?
The source water for any watershed comes from either groundwater (rain/snow that has soaked into
the ground) or surface runoff. Before reaching a stream, surface runoff accumulates from the
highest points in a watershed and flows downhill across lawns, rooftops, parking lots, and roads,
picking up many contaminants along the way. Some of the pollutants that may end up in your
neighborhood creek include the pesticides you put in your garden, the oil spots you wash from your
driveway, and the leaves you rake into the gutter. Each of these impact the watershed's water
quality, aquatic life, and the overall appearance of our natural landscape.
Why Should Your Watershed be Important to YOU?
Your watershed should be important to you for many different reasons. First, and probably
foremost is the quality of our drinking water supply and water we come in contact with through
recreational activities. The quality of the water we use is directly tied to the health and quality
of where it originates from, our watershed. Second, the overall appearance of your watershed can
affect such things as real estate values, business, and tourism. A third reason why you should care
about your watershed is that the way you treat the land and waters around you will have a direct
effect on the water and land downstream. Remember, most of us live downstream from someone
else.
What can YOU do to Help Your Watershed?
There are some simple steps that each of us can take to aid in maintaining a healthy watershed.
Some of these include:
- Cleaning up after your pet
- Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly
- Water only when it is necessary
- Wash your car on a surface which will allow run-off to slowly drain away
- Recycle and properly dispose of household chemicals
- Have your septic tank system cleaned every 3-5 years
- Properly maintain your vehicle
What is currently occurring in Cuyahoga County.
Watershed management planning is a process of examining what our watersheds look like today, in
order to create 'road maps' which help lead us towards where we want our watersheds to be tomorrow.
Watershed management planning takes a holistic approach to maintaining the ecological integrity of
stream corridors. These same stream corridors help provide a basis for organizing interest groups
and other educational and outreach programs. In addition, watershed boundaries serve as natural
units for integrating activities related to natural resources protection, land-use management,
recreation, regulatory requirements, and quality of life issues.
Currently, there are a number of organizations and agencies working together in developing
watershed management plans throughout our region. Many of these plans have been completed and more
are now just beginning. These planning processes includes developing project goals and objectives
with community input, evaluating current stream conditions, anticipating future conditions and
needs, evaluating current plans and policies, implementing measures in a cost-effective manner, and
continuous monitoring and assessment of the overall success of the plan. Community involvement is a
vital component for developing and implementing a successful plan and will be key to galvanizing
community support and buy-in for the implementation of the watershed plan.
For more information on these projects, please contact Harry Stark at 216-201-2001 ext 1205
or via
email.
Important information and Links
What is a watershed?
Center for Watershed Protection
US EPA
Ohio EPA
Cuyahoga County
Soil and Water Conservation District
NOACA
Ohio Watershed Academy
ODNR
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