This show illustrates the simple definition of a watershed and the components that make up a watershed. It is meant to be used in conjunction with Project WET activities about watershed.

2. A simple definition
 A watershed encompasses all of the land area that drains
to a given water body.
 When it rains, all of the land within a watershed, drains
by gravity descending downwards across the land into
creeks, streams and smaller tributaries and on to larger
rivers and eventually to its receiving water body such as
an enclosed lake, ocean or gulf.

4. Components of a watershed
1. Divides are found at the top of the system and
separate one watershed from another.
2. Watersheds are usually named for their receiving
water body.
3. Tributaries are smaller streams or creeks that feed
or flow into a larger stream or river. Large rivers
have many tributaries that flow into them. These
tributaries each have their own smaller watersheds.
4. The headwaters are found at the top of a river
system and are where the river, stream or creek
begins.

6. This map is of an
area in Florida that
has 10 major
watersheds.
Each of these 10
major watersheds is
made up of many
smaller microsheds.
This map can be found at sjrwmd.com

7.  We all live within a watershed.
 We all live downstream. We all live upstream.
 All of us that live upstream contribute, for
good or for ill, to the quality of life for all who
live downstream.

8.  Smaller
waterways
feed into
larger
waterways.
Arrows show
the direction
of water flow.

9. Can you find at
least four (4)
different
watersheds in
this aerial photo?
1
One is already
shown for you.

10. Answer Key
The numbers
indicate several
of the 2
watersheds
7
shown on this
aerial photo. 4
These
watersheds are 5
1
all different sizes 9
3 8
and shapes.
Many of the
watersheds
combine to make 6
up a larger
watershed.

11. Black Creek in
the lower St.
Johns Basin has
many tributaries
that flow into it.
It is a complex
watershed found
in Clay County.