# Watersheds

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Watersheds impact everyone; every community, farm, ranch, and forest. They provide a vital resource for all living things to survive and thrive. All watersheds are interconnected, creating a land-water system that conveys water to its final destination such as a river, lake, wetland, or estuary.

### **Conservation**

Use of good land management practices contribute to watershed health. Implementing NRCS conservation methods on working lands and employing preservation techniques in watersheds help prevent erosion, restore infrastructure, improve water and air quality, increase water filtration, enhance wildlife habitat, and provide other natural resource benefits. Working together, NRCS, land managers, ag producers, and communities help to build resilience to drought and floods while improving water supply.

##   Inside Look at Watersheds

Rain and snow fall into watersheds that are ecosystems themselves. A healthy watershed naturally filters and stores water, prevents flooding and impedes wildfires, and conserves habitat. 

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### **Building Climate Resiliency**

NRCS has assisted communities with conservation in watersheds since the 1930s when the agency was born amid the Dust Bowl. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners address natural resource concerns. NRCS also helps communities to build-in infrastructure practices that prevent future flooding, save lives and protect property. These efforts from the headwaters of the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific, address each area's unique concerns and demands. Conservation practices include:
                - Restoring streambanks
                - Restoring watershed habitat
                - Restoring or decommissioning of dams
                - Installing flood control measures

**Shed light on your local watershed**. Use the interactive map below to find your local water source and discover where your water comes from and follow the path it takes from the source to the reservoir. When it rains, where does the water go, where does it flow? Every region has a local watershed conservation district/organization. Connect with your local soil and watershed conservation district and NRCS to learn more. 

**Watershed Interactive Map - **
*Click on your area to discover your watershed.*

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### **ASSISTANCE**

**NRCS Watershed Programs provides technical and financial assistance to local government agencies, tribal organizations and other eligible sponsors, to help communities implement conservation practices that address watershed resource concerns**. Watershed Programs provides watershed conservation assistance through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, the Watershed and Flood Prevention (WFPO) Program and the Watershed Rehabilitation (REHAB) Program — each program, has a specific area-of-focus as defined below:

##   NRCS Watershed Programs

Emergency Watershed Protection
The Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, a federal emergency recovery program, helps local communities recover after a natural disaster strikes.

Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program
WATERSHED PROGRAMS - WFPOThe Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention (WFPO) Program helps units of federal, state, local and federally recognized tribal  governments (project sponsors) protect and restore watersheds.

Watershed Rehabilitation
The Watershed Rehabilitation Program (REHAB) helps project sponsors rehabilitate aging dams that are reaching the end of their design life and/or no longer meet federal or state safety criteria or performance standards. Since...

Watershed Blog
Watershed Awareness - it's all right here

##   Watershed Program Resources

NRCS State Watershed Program Managers
Contact your local NRCS Watershed Program manager for assistance:

Watershed Program Resources for Contractors

## Find Your Local Service Center

    USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.  

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