Why is knowing your watershed important? Well, watersheds contain all the water bodies that supply our drinking water, water for agriculture and manufacturing, offer opportunities for recreation like kayaking and swimming, and provide habitat to plants and wildlife.
Rain and snow fall to earth (precipitation) some of it evaporates, some soak into the soil, and some fills lakes and rivers, eventually flowing into the ocean.
What is runoff?
Water that runs above the ground.
What is a watershed?
Watersheds come in many shapes and sizes, and smaller watersheds exist inside larger ones. • Coasts • Forests • Grasslands • Deserts • Farms • Your School • Your neighborhood
What watershed do I live in?
For example, if you live in the Portland area, you may live in any of these watersheds, all connected as part of one major river basin.
Watersheds of Portland:
- Columbia Slough
- Willamette Mainstem
- Willamette Tributaries
- Fanno Creek
- Johnson Creek
- Tyron Creek
What major river basin do I live in?
- Willamette Basin
Save our One World Ocean
Overland flow or runoff water can be seen on the street flowing into a street drain.
Any litter or invisible toxins on the ground are picked up by the runoff water and carried to a street drain or underground into urban streams, rivers, lakes, and the ocean.
Marine Biology for Kids - Ocean Debris Kit
Plastic fragments and Microplastics found on American beaches.
How do watersheds connect to the ocean?
Estuaries
Wetlands
Salmon runs
Coral Reefs
How Does Litter Get in the Ocean?
How are all oceans connected?
Why are there ocean currents?
What’s the connection between marine animals and ocean currents?
How do pollutants and plastics travel in the ocean and where do they go?