| PA
Environment and Ecology Standard |
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4.1 Watersheds and Wetlands
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Congratulations
to
Beth Sheckler of Carbon County,
Sue Leese of Venango County
and
Larry Spencer of Venango County
for submitting the
correct answer!
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A
watershed is an area of land that catches precipitation
and drains into a common waterway such as a river,
lake, wetland or into
the groundwater.
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We
all live in a watershed. All of our homes, farms,
and cities are located
in a watershed, each of a unique size and shape.
The
boundary of a watershed is formed by a ridge
or other elevated area. From this high point,
water will drain either toward or away from the watershed
or basin.
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The
size of a watershed varies. Some watershed basins
are small,
such as those of streams and small rivers.
Other
watersheds are large and
are comprised of many smaller watersheds. The Mississippi
River Basin is a huge watershed whose
area is 1.2 million miles, or 40% of the
United
States!! |
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Why
are watersheds so important??
Everything
we do in a watershed affects the quality of our water,
from the water in our rivers and lakes to our groundwater.
Water is a vital natural resource. We need it for
drinking
and for growing crops. Industry relies on water as well.
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Water
is important for recreation and for the
health of our wildlife.
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In
order to have clean water, we need to have clean watersheds!
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Pollution
is a major factor affecting the health of our
watersheds. |
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Two
types of pollution:
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~ Point
Source Pollution (pollution from
a single, easily identifiable source).
~Nonpoint
Source Pollution (pollution
from a wide source over a large
land area). |
An
example of point source pollution would be a
pipe from a factory leading into a lake. This kind of
pollution is easier to detect and prevent.
Nonpoint source pollution, on the
other hand, is much more difficult to identify.
It occurs when runoff (from rain or snow)
moves over the ground and picks up pollutants such
as pesticides or motor oil. It then deposits
them into a body of water or into the groundwater.
Most states
report that nonpoint source pollution
is currently the biggest threat
to water quality.
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What
you can do to protect our watersheds
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~ Find
and learn about your local watershed.
EPA's
Locate Your Watershed-Pennsylvania
~ Help
prevent nonpoint-source pollution. Dispose
of antifreeze, used motor oil, and other hazardous
materials properly. Do not hose them into the street
or down storm sewers.
Find
out more ways to prevent
nonpoint-source pollution here.
~ Get
Involved! Join your local watershed organization.
PA
Directory of Watershed Organizations
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Discuss the water
cycle and how it relates to watersheds. |
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Additional
Links
Watershed
Information Network
Know
Your Watershed
Pennsylvania
Organization for Watersheds and Rivers
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For
Kids
EPA's
Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds Kids' Page
Pennsylvania's
Watersheds
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For
Educators
Watershed
Curriculum
Water
Science for Schools
Water
Lesson Plans
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Got
an environmental question in mind? Use our Submission
Form for the opportunity to submit your own question
(and answer)!
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Back
to Environmental Questions
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