What is a watershed?
Watersheds, or drainage basins, are areas of land that drain into rivers or bodies of water. Every water body in Virginia ranging from small creeks to large rivers has a watershed, and every resident in Virginia lives in a local watershed.
Why are watersheds important?
Polluted stormwater runoff is the number one cause of polluted streams and rivers in Northern Virginia, which also are the sources of our drinking water and ultimately drain into the Chesapeake Bay. We are working together with our local government partners and residents to stay healthy and safe by reducing the amount of pollution that reaches local creeks and rivers. Learn more about what you can do to help at www.onlyrain.org.
Find your local watershed
Use NVRC’s interactive watershed map to learn about and explore watersheds in Virginia. Search for your home or point of interest and find out in which watershed it is located. As you zoom in, the map shows smaller watersheds that drain into creeks and local streams. As you zoom out, the map shows larger watersheds that drain into major rivers or water bodies.