A watershed is an area of land that drains into a specific body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean. National and state parks in the United States are often located within or near watersheds, and they play an important role in protecting and preserving these important ecosystems.
Many national and state parks are located within or near important watersheds, and they play an important role in protecting and preserving these ecosystems. For example:
- Olympic National Park in Washington is located within the Quinault River watershed and includes several important salmon spawning streams.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee is located within the Little Tennessee River watershed and is home to several important trout streams.
- Congaree National Park in South Carolina is located within the Congaree River watershed and is home to one of the largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forests in the southeastern United States.
Watersheds in national and state parks are often protected from development and other human activities that can harm water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Park staff also work to protect and restore watersheds through activities such as streambank stabilization, riparian zone restoration, and invasive species management.
It’s worth noting that some of these parks may have restrictions on activities such as fishing and swimming, to protect and preserve the watersheds and its aquatic life. Visitors should always be aware of the park’s regulations and follow them to protect the fragile ecosystems of these areas.