Goose & Crooked Watersheds

Watersheds

A watershed is the area of land from which all rainfall and runoff drains into a single stream, river or lake. Watersheds are also sometimes referred to as drainage basins or drainage areas. Ridges of higher ground generally form the boundaries between watersheds. At these boundaries, rain falling on one side flows toward the low point of one watershed, while rain falling on the other side of the boundary flows toward the low point of a different watershed.

No matter where you live, you live in a watershed. Watersheds may be large or small. They may occupy sloping, mountainous or nearly flat terrain. They cover all types of landscapes: forests, farmland, deserts, small towns and large cities. The common thread is that all watersheds collect and move precipitation from higher to lower elevations, eventually moving water to a larger river or body of water.

Why Watersheds Are Important

A healthy watershed is necessary for a healthy environment and economy. Watersheds provide water for drinking, washing, irrigation, business and industry. Lakes and streams provide opportunities for a variety of recreational activities. If the water is not clean, then we may not be able to use it for drinking, irrigation, or recreation.

Goose & Crooked Creek Watersheds

The Goose and Crooked Creek watersheds, located in both Mecklenburg and Union Counties, are approximately 42 and 53 square miles, respectively. These creeks encompass eleven local government jurisdictions, including Indian Trail. The Crooked Creek basin is the larger of the two basins. The Crooked Creek is located in some of the fastest developing areas in the region at the Union County and Mecklenburg County line along the U.S. 74 Corridor. With this rapid urbanization, experts have expressed concern that potentially significant, indirect, or secondary impacts on water quality and aquatic habitat in the Crooked Creek watershed may result.