We’ve all heard the age-old saying April rains bring May flowers. April raindrops rejuvenate the Earth and prepare it for spring. Where does the rain disappear and how does it make room for the lovely flowers we enjoy? Take the journey of a raindrop from the clouds as it travels through watersheds and finds its home in a farmland.
Where does the water go when it rains?
Water always looks for the lowest point – gravity pulls it down.
Some rainwater percolates or soaks into the ground to replenish groundwater. This moisture can be absorbed by plants to aid them grow, or the water can seep into an underground aquifer before it reaches the nearest stream.
Water that does not soak into the ground is called “surface water”. Rainfall and snowmelt are the two main sources of surface water.
For example, when rain falls on the roof of a house, the drops flow down the slope of the roof and into the gutter. You can watch water flowing out of your gutter, through your driveway, and into your storm drain, which flows into a ditch or waterway.
According to NOOOrainfall and snowmelt move through the watershed until the water eventually reaches a lake or ocean.
What is a breakthrough?
A watershed consists of all the streams, creeks, and rivers that flow into a common body of water, such as a lake. Watersheds can be compact, such as a local lake and its surrounding streams. Watersheds can also span thousands of square miles, such as the Mississippi watershed, which stretches from the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachians.
Think of a watershed as a bowl. Streams, rivers, hills and peaks are the mouth and sides of the bowl. Any water that starts at the top of the bowl will eventually end up at the bottom of the bowl in a common body of water such as a lake.
Flowing water can pick up debris along the way. Pollution in one creek or stream will ripple as water flows out of the stream into a larger body of water, such as a lake or ocean. Imagine a piece of trash on the side of the road. Wind can carry debris into a stream that flows into a larger river that flows into a lake or bay. Any upstream pollution can ultimately affect the entire watershed.
How does agriculture affect watersheds?
According to the latest agricultural censusFarmers are responsible for managing 40% of the land in the United States. Water sources may be adjacent to or flowing through the areas shown 900 million acres agricultural land in the USA
Nutrients from farmlands must be managed responsibly to ensure they do not negatively impact the watershed.
The same water that falls on your home during a storm is likely flowing through a shared watershed with farmers in your community.
How do farmers protect water?
Farmers are the first line of defense in protecting our water resources.
Farmers follow nutrient management plans to apply fertilizers responsibly to their crops. Similar to Following the guidance of a pediatrician or doctor, farmers work with experts who write prescriptions for their fields to apply the exact amount of fertilizer where it is needed.
Conservation practices such as cover crops and buffer zones aid prevent erosion and runoff into waterways. These additional protections act as a sponge and filter, keeping soil and nutrients in place.
Farmer-led breakthrough groups play an essential role in protecting and improving water quality. These groups consist of farmers from the same watershed who have voluntarily joined forces to support water conservation in their community.
How can we support hearty watersheds?
We all have a responsibility to protect our water resources. It’s essential to be mindful of waste and potential pollutants that may be leaching from our homes into watersheds. Keep rubbish in the appropriate bins, dispose of used fluids properly from your car or lawn mower and follow local guidelines for the disposal of garden waste.
May the journey of a raindrop remind us that we are all connected in our watersheds and inspire us to take on our role as stewards of our resources. We can all work together to ensure that today’s April rains bring not only May flowers, but also a prospering and sustainable future for all.
