Discovering Your Local Watershed, a Guide to Available Resources.

A watershed is a land area that drains into a stream or other body of water. The land's topography determines the shape and boundaries of the watershed. The highest points, which might include mountain tops and ridgelines, determine the outline of the watershed. Explore the basics of watersheds in more detail with this Introduction to Watersheds. 

Larger watersheds are made up of countless smaller watersheds. For example, you may live in the Conemaugh River Watershed, which is part of the Allegheny River Watershed. The Allegheny River Watershed is one of 7 river watersheds that flow into the Ohio River Watershed. The Ohio River Watershed empties into the Mississippi River Watershed, ultimately ending up in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

Pennsylvania is composed of 6 major watersheds. There are many tools available to help you Identify Your Local Watershed. River Runner and River Runner Global are free, open-source software that visually shows a raindrop's path from the point of impact to the termination of its journey. These sites take viewers on a virtual journey through the watersheds, depending on where you have a raindrop fall. Information such as river names and distance traveled are also provided. Visualizing a raindrop’s journey strengthens your understanding of a watershed and how connected our world is.

Stroud Water Research Center's Model My Watershed is another resource for understanding your watershed. This platform allows you to analyze land use and soil data and its impact on water quality. Additionally, you can compare different conservation and development scenarios and learn how they modify runoff and water quality.

River Runner is for all ages of learners, while Model My Watershed is more appropriate for high school students and adult learners.