A watershed is an area of land that drains into a body of water. All of us live in a watershed. Any time it rains or snows, any time you water your lawn or wash your car, the water soaks into the ground or runs off into the streams and rivers of your watershed. These waterways all flow into the Willamette River.
Healthy watersheds mean a better quality of life.
Wildlife, fish and aquatic life rely on clean rivers and streams and healthy stream corridors for food and shelter. Unfortunately, human activities often have negative impacts. Polluted runoff from commercial, urban and agricultural areas, erosion from development and other activities, and flood and drainage impacts all threaten our watersheds. For a more in-depth discussion of urban watersheds and their management, click here .