What is a Watershed?

While teaching a group of 5th grade students I asked, "What is a Watershed?". The responses ranged from a well pump house description to a closet where water bottles are stored.

November is Watershed Awareness month so lets define a Watershed! water·shed (noun) a ridge or stretch of high land dividing the areas drained by different rivers or river systems. According to the Southwest FL Water Management District a watershed is an area of land that water flows across as it moves toward a common body of water, such as a stream, river, lake or coast.

That being said, do you know your watershed? Why is it important to know your Watershed? Understanding where stormwater runs to from your property will help you feel the connection we all have to our watershed. When we apply chemicals (i.e. oil, gas, pesticide, fertilizer, roof cleaner, driveway cleaner, etc), spill chemicals, leave debris or trash on your property it can end up in a body of water. We all have a responsibility to keep our watersheds as clean as possible so we can enjoy them for boating, kayaking, swimming, fishing or just observing.

By allowing stormwater to stay on our property in rain barrels, cisterns, rain gardens, green roofs or by using permeable surfaces we help prevent pollutants from entering our watershed by reducing stormwater runoff.

Take the Watershed Pledge and get a free wrist band.

For further information please contact MichelleAtkinson@ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524.