A watershed is an area of land where all of the water that falls within it drains to a common point, such as a stream or lake. The 2,830 square-mile French Broad River watershed is made up of many smaller sub-watersheds, each associated with a tributary of the French Broad River. Healthy watersheds mean clean water for drinking, crop irrigation, fishing and swimming. They also provide critical habitat for wildlife.
Watershed plans serve as a guide for RiverLink and our partners to improve and protect water quality in the French Broad River watershed. Watershed planning begins with stakeholder engagement and partnership building. Due to the complex nature of water quality issues, partnerships are critical to finding solutions. The next step is a study of the watershed to identify specific water quality issues, along with their sources and causes. Actions to address water quality issues are determined, along with measurable goals and an action plan. When complete, a watershed plan can be shared with partners and made available to the general public. We all have a role in keeping our watersheds healthy!
