Watershed Vocabulary

Front

Watershed

Back

A large area of land where all the rain and snowmelt (runoff) flows down to one place

Front

Ridgeline, Divide

Back

The highest points of land, like mountains or hills, that act as the borders of a watershed

Separate one watershed from another

Front

River System

Back

A main river and all the small streams and creeks that flow into it

Front

Runoff

Back

Rain or melted snow that doesn't get soaked up by the ground and instead flows downhill into a river, lake, or stream

Front

Tributaries

Back

Small streams and creeks that go into a bigger river

Front

Flood Plain

Back

Flat land next to a river that sometimes floods after a lot of rain

Front

Buffer (Riparian) Zone

Back

Places next to streams/rivers with plants and trees that keep the dirt and soil from washing away. Protects and filters the water.

Front

Estuary

Back

A place where river (fresh) water meets and mixes with ocean (salt) water.

Nurseries for many animals, and prevents flooding

Front

Brackish

Back

A mixture of fresh water and saltwater.

Found in places where a river meets the ocean.

Front

Biodiversity

Back

The variety of all living things on Earth, including different plants, animals, and microorganisms.