What is a watershed and why should I care about mine?

This is because out of all the water on the planet, only 3% of it is fresh water, making it a limited resource. Less that 1/3 of all the fresh water is available for human use. Most of this fresh water is found in lakes, rivers, and even underground. Droughts, floods, pollution, population growth, industrial needs, and climate change are just a few of the ways that can affect the health and availability of the fresh water we need for survival.

Fresh water is extremely important for your daily life, and your survival! You are made up of trillions of cells that require water for functioning. If you don’t drink enough water, your cells won’t function properly and that can cause you to become dehydrated which can lead to a variety of other health problems.

Water is the only natural substance on Earth that can be found in all three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Water can change between these three states because of changes in temperature. When the temperature is warm enough, water molecules spread out, causing the liquid to become a gas. On the other end, when the temperature is cold enough, water molecules condense, or get really close together, causing the liquid to become a soil.

The water cycle is the constant movement of water on, below, and above the surface of the earth in the three different states of matter.

Farmers rely on water for the crops and livestock, so they do different things that help conserve fresh water. Technologies, like precision irrigation systems, reduce the amount of water being used to water crops.

Technology allows farmers to recognize when, where, and how much fertilizer their fields need so they don’t overspray and pollute the surrounding water systems. Buffer strips, cover crops, and no-till farming practices help reduce erosion that can impact water quality. Farmers also work with organizations to help them better understand other strategies they can implement on their farms.

For centuries, human civilizations have utilized different bodies of water to transport goods to different places. Inland rivers are a great way to transport different things to ocean ports and are then exported to different countries around the world. The Mississippi River has played an integral role in shaping Illinois farming economy because it allows farmers to export large amounts of grain at a very little cost. Water is also used to keep livestock hydrated and to water crops in hot, dry months.

Yes! Water is a universal solvent which means many substances dissolve in it. This means that wherever water flows, it will pick up nutrients, chemicals, and minerals and carry them along. Watersheds eventually drain into larger bodies of water, so anything the water carried into the watershed will then be carried into wetlands, lakes, and oceans. This can affect the plant and animal life in those areas.

Yes. This is because soil can already be polluted by chemicals, heavy metals, microplastics, pathogens, and more before entering the water. When polluted soil erodes and is washed into waterways, the pollutants in the soil are now in the water.

A watershed is an area of land that water from surrounding areas flows through on its way to a body of water, such as a  stream, lake, or ocean. Everyone should care about their watershed because we rely on fresh water for many things like fishing, drinking, and swimming, and all the plants and animals that live in and near water rely on the fresh water as well. If water is polluted or contaminated upstream, anything downstream will be affected and could even become sick. We want to make sure we have access to a lot of clean, fresh water.