The Watershed

A watershed is a landform defined by highpoints and ridgelines that descend into lower elevations and stream valleys. As rain falls and snow melts, water is channeled into soils, groundwater, and streams, making its way to larger rivers and eventually the ocean. 

Water is a universal solvent, affected by all that it comes in contact with including the land it traverses and the soils though which it travels. The important thing to know about watersheds is: what we do on the land affects quality of life for all communities living downstream.

The Wenatchee watershed consists of:

• 1,330 square miles
• 12 sub-watersheds
  - Nason Creek
  - Lower Wenatchee River - Monitor
  - Lower Wenatchee River - Dryden
  - Mission Creek
  - Peshastin Creek
  - Chumstick Creek
  - Icicle Creek
  - Lake Wenatchee
  - White River
  - Little Wenatchee River
  - Upper Wenatchee
  - Chiwawa
• 230 miles of major stream and rivers
• Over 80% publically-owned land
• Less than 20% privately-owned land
• Approximately 50,000 residents (2010 U.S. Census)
• 3 federally protected fish species
  - Spring Chinook salmon – endangered
  - Steelhead Trout – threatened
  - Bull Trout - threatened

Learn about The Problem facing the Wenatchee watershed.