MANAGING WATER & WATERSHEDS
BY Heidi Leskovitz and Dan Hager
Water 97.5% of all water
on Earth is salt water (2.5% fresh water)
Nearly 70% of that fresh water is frozen in glaciers and icecaps
Less than 1% is accessible for direct human uses
What is a Watershed?
A watershed is an area of land that catches any form of precipitation and drains or seeps into a lake, river, stream, and so on.
Also known as a drainage basin.
YouTube Clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofTdglXriug&feature=related
Types of Watershe
ds•Lakes•Rivers•Streams•Reservoirs•Wetlands•All forms of ground water•Aquifers
Human Uses/Benefits
Drinking water Household Uses
showers, baths, laundry, etc. Recreational Activities
Swimming, water skiing, fishing, etc. Irrigation Industrial Activities
How do you use your watershed?
The Human Impact Pollution
Point sourceNon Point source
Water flow reduction
Overcrowding Contamination
InvasionDistribution
1. What types of watersheds are present in your community?
2. What are some known or perceived impairments or problems with your watershed?
3. What can you do to help better manage the watersheds in your community?
4. What are the future or potential threats of these watersheds?
Issues Affecting Watersheds
Distribution Invasive speciesHazardous wastePollution
Activities done in and around watersheds that affect its well-being in some way
Lack of knowledge in the area of watersheds
The Management of Watersheds
Programs can be developed to evaluate the conditions of a watershed
Implement projects and plans to improve or maintain the health of the watershed
Monitor all activities within a watershed for precautionary measures
Examples- Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act, Boating and fishing regulations
How to get involved with your Watershed
Reduce hazardous materials Manage the sources we utilize Conserve water Start or join a lake group Look into available funds or grants to
benefit your watershed
What can you do to get involved?
Sources Ecological Literacy Earth and Mind http://
www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/lakepond/downloads/LakeBook.pdf
http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/freshwater_supply/freshwater.html
http://www.conservationinformation.com/?action=learningcenter_kyw_whatisawatershed
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/tribal/tribalworkshop/pdf/handout1.pdf
http://geography.about.com/od/physicalgeography/a/watersheds.htm