1. Hydrologic Cycle and Watersheds

3. Hydrologic Cycle Components Precipitation Infiltration Percolation Runoff Evapotranspiration

5. Watershed A basin, drainage or catchment area that is the land area that contributes runoff to an outlet point Outlet point Watershed boundary

6. Watersheds We all live in a watershed! Area of land from which all water drains, running downhill, to a shared destination - a river, pond, stream, lake, or estuary

7. 3 Functions Captures precipitation – its characteristics influence how much is captured Stores water once it infiltrates into soil (important to plants) Slowly releases water into streams, rivers, oceans

9. Why are watersheds important? We all live in a watershed Activities within a watershed impact runoff and water quality of water leaving the watershed Must manage at a watershed level rather than other boundaries to attain goals related to runoff and water quality