Watershed Associations

Massachusetts is one of the most beautiful places in the country and is rich in biological diversity.  However, it is also one of the fastest growing areas in the state and faces tremendous development pressures. The best way to protect our vital natural resources is to understand and manage them on a watershed basis. Watershed management is an effective and efficient way to sustain the local economy, public health, and environmental health too.

A watershed is a geographical area of land that drains into a variety of water bodies (rivers, streams, springs, lakes, ponds, swamps, wetlands, estuaries, coastal bays, underlying aquifers and oceans). Rainwater, melting snow and landscape irrigation runs downhill towards these water bodies and carry along a variety of pollutants, such as sediments, nutrients, minerals and dissolved materials.

Watersheds are the places we call home, where we work, and where we play. Everyone lives in a watershed and is part of a watershed community, including animals, birds and fish. Each of us influences the quality of life in your watershed by how you treat the natural resources – soil, water, air, plants and animals. What happens in a small watershed also affects the larger watershed downstream.

Healthy watersheds are vital for a healthy environment and economy. Our watersheds provide water for drinking, irrigation and industry. Many people also enjoy lakes and streams for their beauty and for boating, fishing and swimming. Wildlife also need healthy watersheds for food and shelter.