What is a watershed?
A watershed is made up of all the lands and waters that flow to a specific place. Watersheds come in all sizes - from the small area that flows to a backyard pond to the 13,400 square miles of land and water that drains to the Hudson River.
Because water always flows downhill, the edges of a watershed are typically defined by ridges and hills. No matter where you go, you are in a watershed. That includes natural areas as well as agricultural fields, parking lots, businesses, roadways, and neighborhoods.
What we do on the land can affect streams and wetlands, even when activities take place far away. Just as parts of the body are interconnected and dependent on one another, forests, streams, and wetlands in the Taghkanic Headwaters watershed play a vital role in regulating the health of the water and wildlife in our region.
Common watershed terms used on this site
Headwaters: The upper reaches of a stream, near a stream’s origin. Many streams and associated wetlands in headwaters are small and do not appear on maps, yet are vitally important to the health of the larger stream system.
Streamside areas: Streamside areas are an important part of stream systems and are sometimes called stream or riparian buffers. Streamside areas with a healthy mix of trees and shrubs support stream health and clean water by slowing runoff, filtering pollution, preventing soil erosion, and shading the stream to keep waters cool for fish. These areas can also absorb and slow flood waters, which protects property and human safety. Forested streamsides play an important role in maintaining clean water, even in watersheds that are mostly forested.
Watersheds: All of the lands and waters that flow into a common body of water. Because water always flows downhill, the edges of a watershed are typically defined by ridges and hills. No matter where you go, you are in a watershed, and your actions can have an impact on streams and wetlands miles away.
Forests: Areas of land covered with trees. Watersheds with more forested land tend to have better water quality. Healthy forests act as a filter to keep pollution out of water. Strong roots hold soil in place as it rains. Healthy soils provide a place for rain and melting snow to soak into the ground, slowing the flow of runoff and absorbing pollution carried in the water. When forests are disturbed and degraded by clearing, excessive browsing by deer, or forest pests, it is easier for sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants to flow into streams and harm water quality.
Streams and rivers: Streams and rivers are natural waterways with a detectable current and a defined channel. Streams may flow year-round, seasonally, or only during times of heavy rain or snow melt. Water that ends in streams comes from runoff from the land as well as groundwater. Streams and rivers move water and sediment across a watershed. A stream is a dynamic system, shaped by water, the organisms that live in it, and the sediment it carries.
Wetlands: Wetlands (swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas) are transition areas where the water table sits at or near the ground surface and which have plants adapted to the soggy conditions. Wetlands slow the flow of water and temporarily store it before releasing it downstream. Wetlands can hold a lot of water, which is why they help reduce flood risk. Wetlands also play an important role in recharging groundwater and maintaining stream flows during droughts.