Watershed A watershed is an area that drains to a particular lake or stream. Surface water in a watershed may flow across farm fields, forest land, suburban lawns and city streets, or it may seep into the soil and travel as ground water. The TDEC has adopted a watershed-based approach to controlling water pollution and improving water quality. This approach recognizes that water quality is a function of not just one stream, but rather the entire watershed and that each watershed has its own unique needs. By recognizing and taking into consideration the watershed as a whole, we can better protect our water resources.
Watershed management is a valuable tool in protecting our lakes, our streams and our environment.
Watershed management enlists the efforts of stakeholders in identifying water quality values, documenting adverse impacts and developing pollution control strategies. This method provides greater opportunities to understand the water quality concerns in the watershed. The TDEC is excited about this holistic approach to managing our water resources, not only because it provides greater protections for the environment, but also because it encourages citizens to participate in protecting and understanding their watershed.