A watershed is a geographic area in which water, sediment and dissolved minerals all drain into a common body of water like a stream, creek, reservoir, or bay. A watershed includes all the plants, animals and people who live in it, as well as the non-living components like rocks and soil. We are all part of a watershed, and everything we do can affect the surface and ground water that runs through this system.

Agriculture and farmers can have an important impact on the watershed and our water resources. We cannot survive without the food, clothing and shelter we get from agriculture. Without water, agriculture cannot happen. Water is needed to grow plants and animals and to process raw materials into products we use. Crop irrigation is also a big part of agriculture. Agriculture’s need for water must be balanced with all the other ways water is needed. Farmers and other people involved in agriculture must also work to conserve and protect the water in our watershed. A few actions that farmers do to protect our water include:

• Planting grass strips between crops and streams, lakes and other surface water. The grassy area slows water running off the crop fields and also traps and filters soil, nutrients, pesticides and other potential pollutants before they reach the streams and lakes.
• Leaving plant remnants such as stalks or leaves on fields after harvesting instead of plowing them into the soil.  This reduces the amount of soil that is washed into our water resources. Farmers also plant crops in strips, alternating row corps (such as corn) with hay or pasture crops to hold the soil in place and keep our water clean.
• Keeping manure and livestock animal wastes contained helps keep these potential pollutants out of rivers, wetland and lakes.

All of us live in a watershed so everyone can have an impact on the water quality, as well as the animals and plants that share life in the watershed. Some actions that everyone can take to protect water include:

• Plant and Grow – If there are bare spots in a yard, plant grass, shrubs, etc. Plants prevent erosion which leads to soil being moved through the watershed into our lakes and rivers
• Sweep hard surfaces like sidewalks, driveways and basketball courts with a broom instead of spraying with a hose. Water is saved and harmful pollutants are kept out of storm drains.
• Do not dump used motor oil, hazardous chemicals, pet waste or any other materials down the storm drains or on the ground.  The water in storm drains flows to rivers, lakes or other bodies of water and could end up in our drinking water.

This Wad-a-Watershed activity provides an excellent visual representation of a watershed and how the actions of everyone - farmers, homeowners, business people, etc. can impact the water resources. Hopefully students will gain an understanding of agricultural conservation practices and also actions that the students can take to protect our water supply.