Watershed Protection

                                                     

 

 

 

Major Watersheds of Clark County

               

              Honey Creek Watershed                                                                                Scioto River Watershed

                                                                             Mad River Watershed                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                

                                                                                             Little Miami River Watershed

 

The Clark SWCD is actively involved with three watershed protection projects aimed to improve water quality in the streams, creeks and lakes of Clark County. 

 

                                                                                

 

 

 

 

What is a watershed?

A watershed is any area of land from which water drains into a common point, such as a river, lake or wetland. This can be a small area of a few acres to lands containing thousands of square miles. A watershed can cross township, county, or state borders, and consist of ditches, streams, ponds, lakes, and wetlands. Watersheds supply us with water for our residential wells and give us a place for outdoor recreation such as fishing, boating, and swimming, as well as, supplying essential habitat for wildlife. No matter where you live, you are inhabiting a watershed and what you do locally can affect the quality of water we have in our lakes and rivers.

What is non-point source pollution?

Non-point source pollution (NPS) does not arise from a specific location. It is the result of water run-off over land. Sources of NPS pollution can arise from both urban and agricultural areas. Runoff from parking lots, streets, fields, lawns and septic systems are all sources of NPS pollution. During periods of high rain or snow melt events, surface water can pick up pollutants and carry them to a ditch/stream, or can become infiltrated into ground water. Most common types of NPS pollutants are sediment, organic matter, nutrients and toxins.