A watershed is the land that water flows across or under on its way to a stream, river, or lake. The landscape is made up of many interconnected basins, or watersheds. Within each watershed, all water runs to the lowest point - a stream, river, or lake. On its way water travels over the surface and across farm fields, forest lands, suburban lawns, and city streets, or it seeps into the soil and travels as ground water. Large watersheds like the Mississippi River and Chesapeake Bay are made up of many smaller watersheds across several states. Everyone and everything in a watershed influences what happens to the watershed as a whole.

     In order to identify and characterize areas contributing to non-point source pollution, the JSWCD, and the Yellow Creek Watershed Restoration Coalition is working with Office of Surface Mining VISTA Volunteer Nicole Stoecklein to identify what may be contributing to acid mine drainage in Yellow Creek and its tributaries. AMD has had a devastating impact on aquatic life throughout the coal producing regions of Ohio. Discharge associated with mining practices result in acidic and metal-laden waters. This results in the decline of biodiversity and poses risks to human health.

      For more specific information about Jefferson County watersheds visit the US EPA's surf your watershed site at http://www.epa.gov/surf/watershed.html, or the Ohio EPA's website at: http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw//index.html.