What is a watershed?
A watershed is the land area whose water drains to a shared outlet.
Definition and processes
Core concept Water runs down slopes into tributaries and a shared river or lake. Ridges often define drainage divides; a large basin contains smaller nested watersheds. How it is studied Researchers map terrain, stream networks, rainfall and soils. Subsurface groundwater boundaries need not exactly match surface divides.
Applications and caveats
Why it matters Land use upstream can affect water quantity and quality downstream. Flood control, reservoirs and pollution therefore need basin-scale planning. Common misunderstandings A watershed is not merely a low basin or lake; it can include ridges and settlements. Its boundary seldom follows administrative borders.
Related topics
About YalovaAbout KarsAbout SamsunAbout BitlisWhat is a glacier?About MardinAbout BalikesirWhat are latitude and longitude?About KilisWhat is migration in geography?About EskisehirAbout ErzincanAbout IspartaWhat are karst landforms?About KirklareliAbout YozgatAbout AnkaraAbout KonyaAbout MusWhat are contour lines?What is a map projection?About VanWhat are tides?About KahramanmarasAbout SivasAbout BayburtAbout EdirneAbout AntalyaAbout TunceliAbout CorumAbout GaziantepAbout ErzurumAbout NigdeWhat are time zones?About BatmanWhat is map scale?About AdanaAbout NevsehirAbout GumushaneAbout KayseriAbout MersinAbout KocaeliWhat is a monsoon?About OsmaniyeAbout IstanbulAbout AdiyamanAbout ElazigAbout ZonguldakAbout BartinAbout Amasya