There are twelve major watersheds, or river basins, in Kentucky. No matter where we live in Kentucky, we live in a watershed. Think about it! Every time it storms, the water runs off the land toward a stream. Anything on the ground—like pesticides, garbage, and trash—runs off the land with the water and eventually ends up in our streams, as well. Polluted water is usually caused by our activities.

How do we cause the problem?
 
Without even realizing it, we each contribute to the problem of polluted runoff when we clear the land for farming or construction, use too much fertilizer, let farm animal waste and our pet's poop lie on the ground, or pour "yucky stuff" down the drain.

 
Want to do something for your watershed?
 
 
Click on the part of Kentucky where you live, and find out what's going on. Contact a resource person to learn more about what you can do to protect your streams—for you and your children.