Stream and Watershed Management
Channelization and increased stormwater runoff are why many small backyard creeks turn into deep, wide canyons with steep, eroding banks. Understanding streams begins with the realization that a stream is not just flowing water in an earthen channel; it also includes the watershed, floodplain and stream corridor. A watershed is any area of land that drains into a stream. This is why every stream is a product of the land above it. Each of us lives in a watershed, and we all live downstream of something. Maintaining streamside vegetation and using other watershed-protection practices are vital for the health of all aquatic resources. Use this section to learn about stream and watershed management and to find help with the challenges of living, farming and doing business along streams.
