We all live in a watershed, and what we do in our watersheds makes a difference to water quality. But what is a watershed exactly? A watershed is all of the land that drains to a particular body of water, like a river or stream, when it rains or snows. The boundaries of each watershed are determined by the lay of the land, and the highest elevation points are the boundaries.

 

What happens to the land and water in your watershed determines the quality of your drinking water, the strength of your ecosystem, and the health of everything that depends on water in your neighborhood - including you! The most important thing to remember is that you have the power to improve and protect your watershed. Everything from taking care of the stream that runs through your property to educating others in your neighborhood to hosting a festival or cleanup for your watershed community can be a doorway to very real change.

 

The Kentucky Waterways Alliance is currently working on watershed planning projects funded through the Kentucky Division of Water by grants from the U.S. EPA under the Clean Water Act.  Watershed-based plans are blueprints for better local water quality. The Watershed Planning Guidebook for Kentucky Communities was designed specifically to help keep our watersheds healthy and make a difference toward preserving and protecting clean water for all Kentucky communities.

 

We look to neighborhood champions to help make a local difference. One of the best ways for communities to take care of the local stream is by being good watershed stewards, and one of the most powerful grassroots approaches is to be active in your local watershed group. Find out where we're working throughout Kentucky and how you can get involved with your local watershed group!