A watershed is an area of land where all the water - whether from rain, snow, or melting ice - drains into a common body of water such as a river, lake, or stream. It includes everything within its boundaries: forests, wetlands, farms, towns, and cities. Watersheds are nature’s way of collecting and channeling water, and they play a vital role in supplying clean drinking water, supporting biodiversity, reducing flooding, and sustaining agriculture and recreation.

The Kawartha Conservation watershed spans approximately 2,563 square kilometers across south-central Ontario. It includes portions of the City of Kawartha Lakes, Durham Region, and other nearby municipalities. This diverse watershed is home to more than 250 lakes and countless rivers, streams, wetlands, and forests. Kawartha Conservation works within this watershed to monitor water quality, manage flood risks, restore natural habitats, and support sustainable land use for the benefit of the environment and the people who live within it.

Learn more about the Kawartha watershed here.