Whats new in our local watersheds?

• Local agricultural landuse workgroup is being created to find ways to reduce pollutant issues in local streams
• Environmental Report Cards are being developed for Old Woman Creek and Pipe Creek
• 2011 Volunteer Stream Monitoring Season is complete!
• Friends of Pipe Creek volunteers are working on a Flood Modeling Project

ORGANIZE A CLEAN-UP and
rent the GREEN BEAN for FREE!

What is a watershed?

A watershed is an area drained by a system of connecting streams that empties into a central location. The boundary of a watershed is defined by high points in elevation which a drop of water will flow into another watershed. Watersheds include streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands as well as adjacent land including forests, prairies, farms, cities, and towns.

Why think in watersheds?

When in rains it drains, and water doesn't follow juridicational boundaries. Our actions can affect the water we share with our neighbors. Clean water is up to us and the FCT helps to educate and provide opportunities to imrpove our valuable resource. After all we all live downstream!

So how does our water get dirty?

Many land uses can be a potential source for water pollution. Agricultural run-off, failing septic systems, poorly managed construction sites, and urban communities that do not manage their storm water can add sediment and nutrients into our streams and Lake. Loss of habitat (wetlands, floodplains, forests, and prairies) has also reduced the ecosystems ability to cleanse itself. It is our goal of the FCT to strike a balance with the needs of our communities and the need for a healthy ecosystem of clean water.

Image to the right shows sediment flowing out of Sandsuky Bay into Lake Erie. The origin of the sediment is from the watersheds that flow to Sandusky Bay including the Sandusky River, Mills Creek, Pipe Creek and others.

Click here to see the most recent NOAA satellite photos of Lake Erie.