A watershed is the area of land that drains into a common body of water, such as a river or a lake.
Watersheds are the places we call home, where we work and where we play. What you and others do within your watershed impacts the quality and quantity of water and other natural resources. Healthy watersheds are not only vital for a healthy environment, but also for a healthy economy. Water from all rivers and streams in Cuyahoga County flow into Lake Erie. Lake Erie is not only the source of our drinking water, but it also provides us with recreational and economic benefits.
Every watershed is different. Watersheds are as diverse as our landscape and are formed by many unique shapes and areas containing natural and man-made features. Watersheds may be hilly or they may be flat. They may have cities, farms, wetlands, woodland and even deserts. There are about 25 watersheds in Northeast Ohio including the Cuyahoga River, Rocky River, Chagrin River and many subwatersheds and direct Lake Erie tributaries. Each watershed has its own unique characteristics and water quality issues.
