Each drop of water that falls within the watershed area develops into larger streams and rivers that will end their trip in the same lake, river or ocean. At the end of its journey, water is no longer the same, however, since its quality has been been altered by the agricultural, urban, recreational and forestry activities of the communities it has travelled through.
To preserve water and ensure its access to all, we must first look at all its uses. If each of our actions affects the water's journey, then the accumulated effects have an enormous impact on the water itself. In the development choices we make, it’s important to take into account the various issues at stake and consider the watershed’s capacity to support the weight of our activities.
This is the goal of integrated watershed management, an ecosystem-based approach that takes into account all activities, both human and natural, that occur within a watershed. Implementing this approach enables us to better understand the problems linked to the quality and quantity of water, as well as the impact on aquatic ecosystems, and to develop solutions in keeping with sustainable development principles.
By becoming aware of this interdependency, we can help maintain the delicate balance between human beings and their environment. It is also a way of ensuring that satisfying our present needs does not jeopardize the future of generations to come.
Learn more about water's journey: watch the ONE DROP animation or dive into AQUA.
Published on February 12, 2010