What is a watershed?

A watershed is made up of all the lands and waters that flow to a specific place. Watersheds come in all sizes - from the small area that flows to a backyard pond to the 13,400 square miles of land and water that drains to the Hudson River.

Because water always flows downhill, the edges of a watershed are typically defined by ridges and hills. No matter where you go, you are in a watershed. That includes natural areas as well as agricultural fields, parking lots, businesses, roadways, and neighborhoods.

What we do on the land can affect streams and wetlands, even when activities take place far away. Just as parts of the body are interconnected and dependent on one another, forests, streams, and wetlands in the Taghkanic Headwaters watershed play a vital role in regulating the health of the water and wildlife in our region.