watersheds

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What is a watershed?

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A watershed is an area of land where all the water that falls on it drains into a common outlet, such as a river, lake, or ocean.

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What is an estuary?

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An estuary is a coastal area where fresh water from rivers meets and mixes with salt water from the ocean.

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What is a tributary?

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A tributary is a smaller river or stream that flows into a larger river or lake.

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What is a divide in terms of watersheds?

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A divide is a geographical boundary that separates one watershed from another.

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What is nonpoint source water pollution?

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Nonpoint source water pollution comes from diffuse sources, such as runoff from urban areas, agricultural fields, and forests.

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What is point source water pollution?

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Point source water pollution is contamination that comes from a single, identifiable source, such as a wastewater pipe.

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What is an example of nonpoint source water pollution?

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Runoff from city streets is an example of nonpoint source water pollution.

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What is an example of point source water pollution?

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A wastewater pipe draining into a stream is an example of point source water pollution.

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What is the Gulf of Mexico watershed?

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The Gulf of Mexico watershed is a large area that drains into the Gulf of Mexico, including rivers and streams from several states.

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What is the Chesapeake Bay watershed?

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The Chesapeake Bay watershed is the area of land that drains into the Chesapeake Bay, including parts of six states.