What is a Watershed, and How do we Keep it Healthy

Yachats River

The word “watershed” is widely used in many contexts.  But what IS a “watershed”? 

“Watershed” is a compound word made of “water” and “shed”.  Now, dear readers, is the word “shed” in this context a noun as in a shed that stores things?  Or is it a verb as in a dog shedding fur? 

The correct answer is that the “shed” in “watershed” is a verb.  A watershed is the area of land where all the water that sheds from it drains to the same place – a stream, a creek, a river, and even a lake.  Opposite of irrigation systems (or our own cardiovascular system) where water flows from larger channels and branches off into smaller and smaller ones, a watershed starts from small streams which converge into larger and larger streams.  Each branch of the drainage system is its own little watershed.  Many little watersheds converge into larger and larger ones. 

The largest watershed system in the US is the Mississippi River, with headwaters of its mainstem in Minnesota and its output in Louisiana, spanning 1.25 million square miles.   Flowing through this vastness, the river carries everything upstream downstream, as gravity dictates. Everything includes sediment, pollutants, garbage, as well as heat.  The Mississippi has been depositing sediment at the Louisiana outlet for thousands of years, creating the Louisiana delta and the bayous.  Since the onset of industrialized farming practices, the Mississippi has been transporting excess nitrogen from America’s farmlands, lawns, and cities to the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in a dead zone of low oxygen the size of Connecticut where marine life struggles to survive or avoids it completely.

Indeed, what we do on land has significant implications for that instream and downstream.  If we take care of our land, those instream and downstream benefit.

That brings me back to the beginning – what is a watershed?  A watershed is not a nature-y place away from asphalt and concrete.  A watershed is where we all live, work, and play.  Even if you are a fisherman, you must work on your boat at the dock.  Since we live in a watershed day in day out, and since what happens on land affects those instream and downstream, there are actions that we all can do every day to better the health of our local watersheds. 

Everyday Actions to Support a Healthy Watershed

• Be mindful of what goes down drains. Never pour oil, paint, chemicals, or medications into sinks, toilets, or storm drains—these flow directly into waterways.

• Use fewer fertilizers and pesticides. Choose organic options, when possible, apply sparingly, and avoid use before rain to prevent runoff into streams.

• Pick up pet waste. Pet waste carries bacteria and nutrients that wash into waterways during rain.

• Reduce runoff from your property. Let rain soak into the ground by using permeable surfaces, rain gardens, or simply directing downspouts onto soil or vegetation instead of pavement.

• Keep soil where it belongs. Plant native vegetation, groundcover, or grasses to prevent erosion and sediment from entering streams.

• Wash cars responsibly. Use commercial car washes that recycle water or wash on grass or gravel instead of driveways.

• Conserve water. Fix leaks, install water-efficient fixtures, and use water thoughtfully—less water used means less runoff and pollution.

• Keep trash secure and pick up litter. What’s left on land often ends up in streams, rivers, and oceans.

• Support native plants. Native plants filter pollutants, stabilize soil, and support wildlife while requiring less water and chemicals.

• Stay informed and engaged. Learn about your local watershed, support conservation efforts, and participate in cleanups or restoration projects.

In short: what we do on our own land—yards, streets, driveways, and workplaces—shapes the health of our streams, rivers, and coastlines. Caring for our watershed starts at home, every day.