W ATERSHEDS AND DEFORESTATION How is deforestation contaminating watersheds? By Quinn And Militsa

W HAT IS A WATERSHED ? A watershed is a determined area of water for a certain land mass. It is water that all flows to the same source. They come in many shapes and sizes. There are 2,110 watersheds in the continental US. The watershed we are located in is called the Bull Run Watershed.

P ICTURE OF THE B ULL R UN WATERSHED This is a picture of the watershed that we are in, the Bull run watershed.

W HAT IS D EFORESTATION ? Deforestation is the removal or clearing of trees. After the forest is cleared the land is usually used for other purposes like agriculture, roads, housing, etc. The world’s rainforests will completely disappear in a hundred years if this rate of deforestation continues.

P ICTURE OF DEFORESTATION IN O REGON This is a picture of a forest in Oregon that has been cleared.

W HY IS DEFORESTATION AND CONTAMINATION A PROBLEM TO WATERSHEDS ? Because it causes erosion and the water gets contaminated. The trees around the watershed keep the water at a cool temperature. Building construction, improper waste disposal and neglected septic tank maintenance lead to contamination. Landfills and agricultural activities are some other causes of contamination.

W HO IS A FFECTED ? We are being affected because even though the water gets processed the quality still goes down. Animals that rely on a clean water supply.

W HAT WILL HAPPEN IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT ADDRESSED ? Deforestation will continue to contaminate watersheds. Urbanization will continue to increase contamination within watersheds.

W HAT IS BEING DONE ? Inspections of the watersheds are being done to help clean it. Educational pamphlets are being made and handed out to inform people of the risks and problems that are happening. Monthly hazardous material collections. Volunteer groups are cleaning up contaminated water sites.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

S OURCES wprimer/wtrshed/wtrshd.html