Watersheds and Polluted Runoff

What is a watershed? An area of land that collects, stores, and releases water to a common point (e.g., river, lake, stream) Usually outlined by ridges/rises on landscape Everywhere you stand on the earth can be divided by different watershed boundaries.

A Watershed

Watershed shape/size They can be broken down into smaller and smaller units. They come in all shapes and sizes. They cross county, state, and national boundaries.

Kestrel Heights’ Watershed

No matter where you are, you are always in a watershed

Role of a healthy watershed Collect water (rain/snow) Store water (absorbed into soil) in various amounts and for different periods Slowly release water to rivers, lakes, coasts Allow for bio-chemical reactions to take place Provide habitat to plants and animals Provide drinking water, recreation for people

Polluted runoff (nonpoint source pollution) Caused by rain and flood water washing over the landscape, picking up pollutants such as dirt, oil, fertilizer, pesticides, animal waste, and other substances Pollutants are then deposited into our rivers, lakes, coastal waters, ground water, and drinking water supplies. 88% of the damage to our streams and rivers are caused by polluted runoff.

Polluted runoff is people pollution!

Major causes of polluted runoff in NC Agriculture Urban areas

What is polluted agricultural runoff? “Nutrients” (fertilizers), sediment, pesticides, other toxins applied to farmland that run off and pollute the water The leading source of water quality problems in lakes and rivers across America

Polluted agricultural runoff

Problems with polluted agricultural runoff Sediment clouds water, which kills fish and water plants, covers spawning areas Runoff from concentrated hog farms and other livestock carries bacteria and viruses, “nutrients,” and causes other major water quality problems. Insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides can kill fish and wildlife, poison human food sources, destroy wildlife habitat

What is urban runoff? The third largest source of water quality impairments to America’s rivers Paved surfaces and buildings don’t let runoff slowly percolate into the ground – accumulates and runs off in large amounts Car exhaust pollutes water Great deal of waste created and washed into watershed Nonporous surfaces like roads, bridges, parking lots, and buildings do not allow water to slowly filter into the ground. The water remains at the surface and builds up. As the excessive amount of water runs off it eats away at stream banks, damages the trees and plants, and widens the streams.

Problems with urban runoff Because of paved surfaces, a typical city block generates 9 times more runoff than a woodland area of the same size. Contaminants in urban runoff include: Sediment Oils and Greases Heavy Metals Debris Road Salts Fertilizers, Insecticides, and Herbicides

What can we do to prevent urban runoff? Conserve water – inside and out Don’t fertilize your lawn before a storm (excess runs off into the streets) Take your car to a car wash where the water is treated and recycled. Don’t pour anything down the storm drain Drive less!

More ways to prevent urban runoff Clean up after your pets Recycle, dispose of hazardous wastes (e.g., car batteries, solvents, pesticides,) at community collection sites. Get informed about your own watershed. Get involved! join your local watershed group or volunteer monitoring organization

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