Watershed Development - Basics

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• Watershed is an integral process of the eco-cycle, which is formed by the rainwater runoff from mountain slopes. The rainwater runoff form into mountain streams and rivulets fall in a common water body at the base of the mountains. Watch this graphics based interactive presentation created by Tech Alive, which is a web-based initiative, generated by Michigan Tech Students of the Michigan Technological University. For those unfamiliar with the concept of a watershed, the graphic provides easy understanding at a glance. Click here

• An effective watershed management prevents drying of rivers, improves soil quality, and increases ground water levels. Learn about the different issues related to watershed management and development that impact the water security in the region of the watershed. For a multimedia course on the subject. Click here

• Each of us is a resident of a watershed and living in one is not linked to the distance from a water body such as a lake or a river. A watershed soaks rainwater in the soil, and creates freshwater springs in cases of over-saturation. Rainwater can flow through the soil in watersheds to join streams or rivers. The eventual process of evaporation, formation of clouds and rains forms the basis of watershed function. This delicate inter-linking of various natural processes is vulnerable to urban practices of development. The clearing of vegetation or asphalting of soil surfaces reduces the absorption capacity of urban watersheds. To learn more about the inter-dependency between urban watersheds and man-made practices. This information was sourced from Return to Urban Watershed, and sources are based on guides prepared by the EU and US-EPA. Click here

• There is much more to a watershed than the joining of mountain rivulets or creeks formed by rainwater runoff. It includes different sources of water like rainfall or snowmelts, wetlands and estuaries. The educational clip from Surfrider Foundation, From Sea to Summit; A journey through the Watershed' illustrates the concept of watershed through graphics, photos and videos. An useful watch for those wanting to understand watersheds. Click here

• The water security of local communities, the quality of upstream and downstream water, the sustainability of the regional geo-hydro cycles and even the weather are all linked with effective watershed development and management. Click on the link below for an interactive and animated presentation on the above mentioned issues. This information has been sourced from the website of MetEd. Click here