The watershed from your home will likely differ from the one at your school or work. It is valuable to know the watershed associated with the stream that water drains to from your home, school, or workplace. Still, you also live in the larger Susquehanna River Watershed and the much larger Chesapeake Bay Watershed, all at the same time. For example, you may live in the Conewago Creek Watershed. you can also name your watershed very locally or on a broader scale. Just as you can describe your current location as in your chair, in your living room, in your home, in your neighborhood, in your town, in your state, in your country, etc. As you explore your watershed, you will find that you live in many different watersheds, and this can lead to confusion.

Watersheds or basins exist in many different scales or sizes. Don't be surprised if you see the words used interchangeably, however. The word watershed is often used when referring to smaller bodies of water (Spring Creek Watershed, Crystal Lake Watershed, etc.). Many people use the word basin when they describe large bodies of water, such as rivers and bays (for example, the Chesapeake Bay Basin, Ohio River Basin, Lake Erie Basin, etc.). You may also hear the word basin used to describe the same thing. Definitionsįirst, what is a watershed? A watershed is an area of land (including underground too) that drains to a specific body of water.

This guide will help you start on the right path to connecting with your local watershed. How To Identify Your Local Watershed in Pennsylvania

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