Do you know what a watershed is?

Don’t feel bad if you don’t. Only 20% of adults in Santa Clara County know what a watershed is, let alone how important a watershed is to our local environment.

A watershed is a land area that drains water into a creek, river, lake, wetland, bay or groundwater aquifer. In the Santa Clara Valley, all the water from rain and irrigation which flows over the land surface (called runoff) goes into storm drains, creeks and rivers that flow directly to San Francisco Bay. You live in a watershed that flows to a local creek, and all of the runoff from your home, yard and neighborhood flows to that creek.

Why are watersheds important?

Watersheds are more than just drainage areas in and around our communities. They are necessary to support habitat for plants and animals, and they provide drinking water for people and wildlife. They also provide the opportunity for recreation and enjoyment of nature. Protection of the natural resources in our watershed is essential to maintain the health and well being of all living things – both now and in the future.

Problems affecting our watersheds

Pollutants enter our creeks and rivers through storm drains that collect and convey runoff from most streets in our communities. The storm drains on your street may be stenciled with “No Dumping – Flows to Bay” or a similar message. Water flowing through these storm drains is untreated and carries pollutants to our creeks and streams, which eventually go to San Francisco Bay. Pollution in our watersheds degrades the environment, harms wildlife habitat, impacts the economy and jobs, causes higher taxes and fees, and ultimately affects the health of humans as well.

Pollutants such as motor oil, paint products, pet waste, litter, sediment and chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides are washed by rain and over watered lawns in to neighborhood gutters and storm drains. In day-to-day activities, people can cause some of these pollutants to enter storm drains and creeks without knowing that they are causing harm to the environment.

Easy Ways You Can Help Protect Your Local Watershed

  1. Regularly maintain your car to avoid leaks of auto fluids. Never pour oil or other automotive fluids into a storm drain or onto the ground.

  2. Pick up your pet’s droppings and dispose of them in the trash or toilet.

  3. Wash your car on an unpaved area or better yet, take it to a commercial car wash.

  4. Rinse latex paint brushes, pans and rollers in the sink.

  5. Avoid over-watering your yard to avoid the discharge of water into storm drains, which carry pesticides to creeks and the Bay.

By protecting the watershed, creeks and Bay, you are protecting the environment for yourself, your children and future generations. For more information about how to protect your local watershed, call 1(866) WATERSHED or visit www.mywatershedwatch.org for your free Watershed Watch Kit