What is a Watershed?

A watershed is defined as an area of land where all the water drains to a common waterbody, such as a river, lake, or ocean. This concept is fundamental in understanding hydrology and water management as it indicates how various landscapes, topographies, and human activities influence the flow and quality of water within that area.

Watersheds are crucial in stormwater management because they help identify how water moves across the landscape, where it collects, and how it interacts with the environment. Understanding the boundaries of a watershed allows for effective planning and implementation of strategies to minimize flooding, reduce pollution, and protect aquatic ecosystems.

Other options do not represent the definition of a watershed. While built infrastructure for managing stormwater and natural resource management zones may be related to water management, they do not describe what a watershed is. Similarly, a regulatory division in environmental management refers to administrative classifications rather than the physical characteristics of land and water flow. Thus, the first choice accurately captures the essence of what a watershed is in the context of stormwater management.