Watersheds: The Planet’s Circulatory System

Watersheds: The Planet’s Circulatory System

by Aby Elwood, Educator

Water is everywhere. Watersheds are everywhere too. 

Did you know that we all live in a watershed? Regardless of how far we are from a body of water, we’re IN a watershed and our everyday choices have an impact, on everything from water quality to ecosystem health. Come along and learn about their significance and understand the direct link between our actions and watershed health.

What is a watershed?

Think of it as a giant drainage system. A watershed is an area of land where freshwater, whether from rain, snowmelt, or other sources, drains into a common body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean. It's an expanse of land where all of the precipitation eventually flows into a common exit point. Watersheds vary in size, ranging from small creeks to large river basins that encompass multiple smaller branches flowing into a larger main stream. On the next rainy day, think about each raindrop going on a watershed adventure.

Why are watersheds important?

Watersheds perform a range of crucial functions that are vital to our lives and our ecosystems. Their functions are especially important to surrounding oceans, as all the water from watersheds drains into the ocean. Healthy watersheds support biodiversity, creating habitats for a variety of plant and animal species. Watersheds also act as nature's own filtration system. They influence the water quality of rivers, lakes, and oceans by filtering out pollutants and sediments. Watersheds improve water quality, allowing us and other organisms to have clean water for drinking and other purposes. Beyond their role as water purifiers, watersheds also function as natural reservoirs, capturing excess water during rainy weather. This ensures a steady supply of freshwater, including what we drink!

“Did you know our drinking water comes from a watershed? The Sooke Lake Reservoir is the primary water supply for the Greater Victoria area. ”

Watersheds are very important for flood control. During heavy rainfall, watersheds act like sponges and absorb surplus water, reducing the risk of damage caused by floods.

How are watersheds impacted?
Human activities have significant impacts on a watershed. Cities, factories, farms, and other developments, are all sources of pollutants. Water runoff from urban, industrial, or agricultural areas carry contaminants (chemicals, fertilizers, heavy metals, etc.) into waterways. Storm drains, found along roadways, and household drainage systems can carry large volumes of pollutants directly into the water systems, impacting the water quality of oceans and other water reservoirs.

Urbanization diminishes the amount of permeable land, reducing space for water absorption. Climate change compounds negative effects on watersheds as it alters precipitation patterns and increases the frequency and severity of floods. Removal of trees further impacts watersheds. The lack of trees reduces water uptake through tree roots and increases surface runoff. Not only that, but deforestation leads to habitat destruction and reduces the overall biodiversity of an ecosystem.

What can we do to conserve & protect watersheds?

Each and every time we turn on a tap, hike in the woods, or drive our cars, we're part of a grander scheme. Simple tasks we do in our day-to-day lives have much larger, cumulative impacts on the nature surrounding us. It can be overwhelming learning about the negative impacts we impart on our environment. The good news is there is hope through action! 

Here is a short list of what I am working on to do my part in keeping our watersheds healthy:

Use less water!  Turn off the water when we aren’t using it, lessen the amount we use for daily tasks, and quickly fixing leaky pipes are ways of conserving water. I’m working on taking shorter showers!

Cleaning! Every drain enters a watershed; what we put down each and every drain matters. Household cleaners contain a variety of different ingredients, some good and some not so good. To avoid adding harsh chemicals to the environment, I have started to replace some of the harsh cleaners with more natural products. 

Did you know the CRD has a
Clean Green Cookbook
featuring recipes for natural cleaning products?

Drive less! This past year, I reduced the amount of driving I do, instead I have incorporated other modes of transportation, including commuting to work by bus. Vehicles produce pollution (oil and gas run off) making its way into our ocean. If it works for your lifestyle, public transportation, carpooling, and cycling are great ways to reduce pollutant impacts on our waterways.

(Fun Fact: Six members of our small staff team use public transit to commute to work.)

If you are looking for more ideas, my colleagues shared the following actions:

• Shovel the driveway instead of adding salt, or other chemicals, to melt snow and ice.

• Use a drain snake to clean pipes or clear blockages instead of using chemicals that contaminate the water.

• Collect rainwater to hydrate your indoor plants.

• Plant native plants! They require little to no watering, they do not require fertilizers, they create habitats for local organisms, and they help manage water runoff. 

Small positive actions or good habits we adopt contribute to the protection of watersheds, the ocean, and surrounding ecosystems. For more ways to have a positive impact on your local watershed, the Capital Regional District (CRD) provides great information on taking action!

There you have it — watersheds are important and we need to protect them!

Save the Date:
Watershed Wonders
February 16, 10am - 4PM

Learn about watershed inhabitants and watershed health through watershed-themed activities, games and crafts presented by our Educators and special guests — CRD Parks and Gorge Waterway Action Society.

Drop-in. No additional fee.