WHAT IS A WATERSHED
A watershed is
an area of land on which water, as rain or snow, accumulates and drains to a common point.
Everything that happens in a watershed has an effect on the quality of the water.
Water usually enters the watershed in the form of precipitation. Water trickles down
into small streams and creeks called headwater streams. The water that finds its way into
headwater streams picks up anything that can be dissolved into or carried off by water.
This material often finds its way into streams and eventually into rivers, lakes and other
source water areas.
Wooded areas are important as they act as a natural filter, slowing down water enough
to drop out the material that it picked up in its trip before it enters into larger
waterways. The City of Akron works intensively to keep the watershed in as pristine
condition as possible to maximize this natural filtration effect. It benefits not only the
quality of the drinking water for the people of Akron, but also preserves natural areas in
the watershed for all to enjoy.
