Watersheds
What is a Watershed?
Land area that channels rainfall and snowmelt to creeks, streams, and rivers, and eventually to outflow points such as reservoirs, bays, and the ocean
What is a tributary?
A stream that flows into a lake or a river.
What are some agriculture pollutants that affect watersheds?
Sediment, Nutrients, Pesticides, Minerals, Pathogens, and Livestock.
What is a water contaminant?
Any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substance or matter in water
What is Alkalinity?
Water's capacity to neutralize acids.
Who do watersheds impact?
You, Me, Family, Neighbors, Communities, Farms, Ranches, and Forests
What is ground water?
Water located beneath the ground that flows through soil layers as a form of filtration and fills the empty space
What does sediment damage increase?
Soil erosion
What are some plant symptoms of sodium?
Leaf burn, Scorch, and Dead tissue along the outside edges of leaves.
How does Chloride affect soil and plants?
Not adsorbed or held back by soils so it moves directly to the plant.
What are two examples of the purpose of a watershed?
Vital resource for all living things, All watersheds are interconnected, transports water, Prevents erosion, Restores infrastructure, Improves water and air quality, Increases water filtration, and Strengthens wildlife habitat.
Who does the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provide technical and financial assistance for?
Farmers, Ranchers, and Forest landowners
What are the three primarily damaging nutrients?
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium
What are some impacts of poor water quality on plants?
Toxicity, Nutrient Imbalance, and Soil Degradation
What does pH affect?
Nutrient availability, and Microbial activity in the soil.
What is run off?
Precipitation that doesn't soak into the ground, but instead flows across the surface of the Earth.
What does a healthy watershed do?
Naturally filters and stores water, and Prevents flooding
What are two examples of pesticides detected in groundwater affected by agriculture?
Herbicides and Insecticides
What is salinity and its impact on plants?
Concentration of dissolved salts in water. Difficult for plants to absorb water, and leads plant to dehydration and reduced growth.
What are some plant symptoms of Boron?
Yellowing, spotting, or drying of leaf tissue, and it is located near the tips or edges.
How do we protect our watersheds?
Conserve water, Do not pour chemicals or oils down the drain, and Recycle.
How much of the earths water is damaged or threatened?
40-50% are damaged or threatened
What does California agriculture land contain?
Irrigation-induced selenium contamination
How does testing for Nitrates and Nitrites help farmers?
Helps to determine the amount of fertilizer needed.
What are three examples of water treatment methods?
Filtration, Reverse Osmosis, and Chemical Treatments.