What's A Watershed, And Why Should They Be Protected?: STGBW Word

BABYLON, NY — Watershed, a land area that channels rainfall and snowmelt to creeks, streams and rivers and eventually outflow points such as the Great South Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, is Save the Great Bay's Wednesday Word of the Week.

Long Island's South Shore includes the Carlls River and Connetquot River watersheds, among other things.

According to the New York Department of State, the Connetquot River habitat is the largest contiguous area of undeveloped land in Suffolk County that encompasses an entire river watershed.

This is especially rare in New York State since it is located within a highly urbanized area.

This large habitat area provides suitable habitat for a tremendous diversity of fish and wildlife species.

More than 100 species of birds have been reported as possibly breeding in the area, more than for any other location on Long Island, the department said.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that healthy watersheds provide critical services, such as clean drinking water, productive fisheries, and outdoor recreation, that support our economies, environment and quality of life. We "all" live in a watershed, the EPA said.

Understanding the conditions in watersheds — which are often polluted — is crucial for restoring areas with degraded water quality, as well as protecting healthy waters from emerging problems before expensive damages occur, the EPA said.

In an effort to educate readers about the Bay, Patch has partnered with Save the Great South Bay to create a "Word of The Week Wednesday" series. Each week, Patch will share a "Great South Bay" word, to hopefully create discussions amongst readers, and to provide a larger understanding of our environment.

To learn more about phragmites and how to help the Great South Bay, click here.