A watershed is an area of land where surface water drains into a common outlet, while an aquifer is an underground layer of permeable materials that stores and transmits groundwater. The two concepts are linked because water that falls within a watershed can infiltrate the ground and become part of the groundwater stored in aquifers within that watershed.
A Watershed is…
- A watershed, also known as a drainage basin or catchment area, is an area of land where all the water that falls or drains into it flows to a common outlet, such as a river, lake, or ocean.
- It is defined by the topography of the land, with high points delineating the boundaries of the watershed. When rain falls within a watershed, the water either evaporates, infiltrates into the ground, or runs off into water bodies within that specific watershed.
- Watersheds play a crucial role in the water cycle and are essential for managing water resources and understanding the movement of water within a particular geographical area.
An Aquifer is…
- An aquifer is an underground layer of permeable rock, sediment, or soil that can store and transmit groundwater. It acts as a natural reservoir of water that can be extracted for various uses such as drinking water, agriculture, and industrial purposes.
- Aquifers are typically composed of materials like sand, gravel, or porous rock that can hold and transmit water. The water in an aquifer is stored in the pore spaces between the geological materials.
- Groundwater within an aquifer can move through the rock or sediment, and the rate of movement depends on the permeability of the materials. Wells drilled into aquifers can tap into this groundwater for human use.
More About Our Local Watershed
The Science
“Water on Tap—What you need to know”
Macro-Invertbrate Identification
Water Quality Standards