What is a Watershed?

The 19th Century geologist and explorer of the American West, John Wesley Powell stated that a watershed is:

"That area of land, a bounded hydrologic system, within which all living things are inextricably linked by their common water course and where, as humans settled, simple logic demanded that they become part of the community."

In simple terms, a watershed is actually an area of land that catches precipitation (i.e. snow, rain, etc.) and drains or seeps into a swamp, creek, river, lake, ocean or groundwater. Watersheds are usually bordered, and separated from other watersheds, by mountain ridges or other naturally elevated areas.

Water is a universal solvent and is affected by everything that comes in contact with it. That is why watersheds are important and what we do on the land affects water quality for all communities living downstream.

In Orange County, there are 13 watersheds.

No Matter Where You Live … You Live in a Watershed
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Watershed Links