WATERSHEDS AND
DEFORESTATION
How is deforestation contaminating watersheds?
By Quinn And Militsa
WHAT IS A WATERSHED?
A watershed is a determined area of water for a
certain land mass.
 It is water that all flows to the same source.
 They come in many shapes and sizes.
 There are 2,110 watersheds in the continental
US.
 The watershed we are located in is called the Bull
Run Watershed.

PICTURE OF THE BULL RUN WATERSHED
This is a picture of
the watershed
that we are in, the
Bull run
watershed.
WHAT IS DEFORESTATION?
Deforestation is the removal or clearing of trees.
 After the forest is cleared the land is usually used
for other purposes like agriculture, roads,
housing, etc.
 The world’s rainforests will completely disappear
in a hundred years if this rate of deforestation
continues.

PICTURE OF DEFORESTATION
This is a picture of
a forest in Oregon
that has been
cleared.
IN
OREGON
WHY IS DEFORESTATION AND CONTAMINATION
A PROBLEM TO WATERSHEDS?
Because it causes erosion and the water gets
contaminated.
 The trees around the watershed keep the water
at a cool temperature.
 Building construction, improper waste disposal
and neglected septic tank maintenance lead to
contamination.
 Landfills and agricultural activities are some
other causes of contamination.

WHO IS AFFECTED?
We are being affected because even though the
water gets processed the quality still goes down.
 Animals that rely on a clean water supply.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT
ADDRESSED?
Deforestation will continue to contaminate
watersheds.
 Urbanization will continue to increase
contamination within watersheds.

WHAT IS BEING DONE?
Inspections of the watersheds are being done to
help clean it.
 Educational pamphlets are being made and
handed out to inform people of the risks and
problems that are happening.
 Monthly hazardous material collections.
 Volunteer groups are cleaning up contaminated
water sites.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
SOURCES

http://www.cee.vt.edu/ewr/environmental/teach/g
wprimer/wtrshed/wtrshd.html