From towering mountains to flat prairies, from the tundra to all ocean coasts, from cities to towns, villages, ranches and modest farms, everyone lives in a watershed. Here’s a list of some of the many vital needs served by watersheds:
Water: Watersheds supply water — a fundamental need of all living things. Without it, people and wildlife can’t survive.
Drinking water: People and wildlife need drinkable water. Watersheds provide the water that enters our homes from wells or from systems of pipes from a treatment plant. We use it for cooking and other household needs. Wildlife also needs sources of safe drinking water.
A place to live: Watersheds are like huge neighbourhoods within which all living things — plants, animals and people — share water.
Wildlife habitat: Whether it’s a bird, butterfly, bear or bat, all wildlife needs habitat. Water is a vital part of their habitat, which also includes food, shelter and space, arranged just right for each species. Beavers, fish, shore birds, frogs, turtles and snakes are among the aquatic species of wildlife that live in or around the water supplied by a watershed.
Irrigation: Farmers draw on water in watersheds from the Earth’s surface (such as ponds) or from beneath the ground to irrigate crops for food and provide water for livestock.
Industry: Most industries draw water from watersheds in manufacturing processes or for cooling and cleaning. Fish industries depend on water from streams, lakes, rivers and oceans
Recreation: Watersheds provide the lakes, streams and rivers we use for fishing, boating, swimming, ice fishing or relaxing on a beach.
Beauty: Scenic waterways or ocean coasts are among the natural features in our landscape that give us cause to reflect, admire and share in the beauty of our environment.