When is a Watershed Like a Duck?

OK, so you've heard all this talk about watersheds lately, but do you still find yourself saying, “just what exactly is a watershed, and how does this affect me?”

Watersheds are defined by elevation. Imagine drawing a line along all the ridge tops. All of the water falling on one side of that line would flow into one valley, while the water on the other side of the line would flow into a different valley. One way to simplify watershed is to think of how a duck “sheds” water from its back. The land works much in the same way, by allowing precipitation to run off the land from the highest elevations to the lowest. As the water takes its course in running off the land, valleys channel the water and streams are formed. Watersheds are made up of rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands; and just as important - the land surrounding those features.

From the photo above, you can see many hills and valleys. You are looking at a portion of the Mahoning Creek watershed. Each of those valleys drains water from precipitation and groundwater, to streams (tributaries) that feed Mahoning Creek (the largest valley in the middle), and ultimately the Allegheny River in Templeton, Armstrong County. The Allegheny River then flows to Pittsburgh where it joins the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River – which flows into the Mississippi River – and eventually the Gulf of Mexico.

Now that you know how important land is when we talk about watersheds, bear in mind that everything that happens on, and to, the land affects our water and our quality of life. For more information on watersheds and how you can protect yours, contact the Watershed Assistance Center at 724-459-0953, or email watershedcenter@paconserve.org.

Today's photo was taken by WPC's Jessica Traister (Watershed Assistance Center) at her home in Armstrong County. The photo was taken at the watershed divide between the Allegheny River watershed and the Mahoning Creek watershed.

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