EDUCATION

What is a Watershed?

Watersheds are geographic areas of land that rain or snow melt flows through on its way to one specific body of water, such as, a stream, river, lake, or wetland. Watersheds are named after the body of water that they drain into. The Saw Mill Run watershed is the land area that drains into Saw Mill Run. 

Smaller watersheds drain into larger watersheds called basins, which are typically bays, gulfs, oceans and the largest bodies of water. For instance, the Saw Mill Run watershed drains into the Ohio River watershed. The Ohio River watershed drains into the Mississippi River watershed. The Mississippi River watershed drains into the Gulf of Mexico.

We can do our part for this entire system by caring for our local watersheds.

Further Reading

Benefits of Greenways: A Pennsylvania Study

Millvale, PA and the Case for Universal Flood Insurance in the United States

Economic Impact of Local Parks, Recreation and Open Space in Pennsylvania

Measuring Trail Benefits