What is a Watershed?

A watershed is the area of land that carries water after rain falls and snow melts through the soil, groundwater, wetlands, lakes and streams making its way into larger rivers and eventually an ocean.

The physical landscape, such as topography, geology, soils and ecosystems, form the natural characteristics of a watershed. Man-made landscapes, such as roads, cities, farms and industry, can affect the natural balance within a watershed.

We all live in a watershed.

What we do on the land impacts

the health of our watershed.

No matter where you stand on the planet, you are on a watershed!

Our watershed is very unique. Think of our watershed like a bowl with Old Wives Lake at the very bottom of the bowl. All of the water from Mossbank, Limerick, Mankota, Cadillac, and Hodgeville drains internally into this bowl.

Our watershed is very important for migrating birds! Portions of the watershed have received both national (Old Wives Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary) and international recognition (Old Wives Lake, Chaplin Lake -Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network and Important Bird Areas).

The Old Wives Watershed Association was originally incorporated as the Wood River Environmental Authority, and then the Wood River Riparian Authority. The goal of the group was to advance stewardship and sustainable development in the watershed. In November 2005 a proposal to implement an Agri-Environment Group Plan was developed and submitted for consideration. Approval for funding was received and staff hired at the end of April 2006.

Join our watershed group by becoming a member! OWWA is governed by a Board of Directors representing the First Nation, Rural Municipalities, Urban Municipalities and interested individuals who live in the OWL watershed. The Directors meet 4-10 times per year. The Annual General Meeting of all members is held in the spring of each year. Funding helps our watershed group provide workshops, awareness, and education and is obtained through grants and membership fees. If you have an idea for a future event email us tech@oldwiveswatershed.com