A watershed is an area of land that drains into a body of water like a river, lake or ocean. 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. When you litter, leave dog poop on the ground, dump paint or motor oil down a stormdrain, it all ends up in our rivers and streams. Read our Clean River Tips to find out how you can keep your watershed healthy.