watershed
River's collection zone
A watershed is the ridge of high land dividing two drainage basins—water falling on one side flows to one river system, on the other side to another.
By extension, watershed names the entire drainage area feeding a river: the Mississippi watershed.
The figurative meaning dominates in everyday speech: a watershed moment or watershed event marks a turning point where things change decisively, like water dividing to flow different directions.
In British broadcasting, the watershed is the time (usually 9 PM) before which adult content cannot air.
Area collecting water runoff
- basinConcave water receptacle
- drainageLiquid removal system
- aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
- streamflowRiver water's measured movement
groundwater · precipitation · runoff · tributary · estuary · floodplain · riparian · wetlands
Vitally important, deciding
- milestoneNotable event marking progress
- landmarkNotable point of reference
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- transformativeCausing major change
defining · historic · catalyst · seminal · sea-change · crossroads · revolutionary · game-changer
Narrow raised strip
- drainageLiquid removal system
- continentalOf a continent
- separationState of being apart
- catchmentArea collecting water runoff
boundary · topography · elevation · summit · peak · mountain · highland · escarpment
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- riparianRelating to riverbanks
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- biodiversityRange of life forms
flora · fauna · estuary · floodplain · aquifer · sediment · fishery · spawning
Responsible care of entrusted things
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- protectionGuarding against harm
- restorationReturning something to condition
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
sustainability · greenbelt · conservancy · reserve · sanctuary · reforestation · monitoring · planning
catchment
Area collecting water runoff
- basinConcave water receptacle
- drainageLiquid removal system
- aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
streamflow · groundwater · precipitation · runoff · tributary · estuary · floodplain · riparian · wetlands · recharge
pivotal
Vitally important, deciding
- milestoneNotable event marking progress
- landmarkNotable point of reference
- breakthroughSudden important advance
transformative · defining · historic · catalyst · seminal · sea-change · crossroads · revolutionary · game-changer · momentous
ridge
Narrow raised strip
- drainageLiquid removal system
- continentalOf a continent
- separationState of being apart
catchment · boundary · topography · elevation · summit · peak · mountain · highland · escarpment · spine
ecosystem
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
biodiversity · flora · fauna · estuary · floodplain · aquifer · sediment · fishery · spawning · migration
stewardship
Responsible care of entrusted things
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- protectionGuarding against harm
- restorationReturning something to condition
management · sustainability · greenbelt · conservancy · reserve · sanctuary · reforestation · monitoring · planning · regulation
- water managementdam, irrigation, cistern, drainage, sluice gate
- ecologyhabitat, ecosystem, balance, niche, food webs
- land typespark, croplands, reserve, arable land, rangelands
- nature preservehiking trails, hiking trail, trails, walking path, wildlife sanctuary
- water wordsocean, watery, rain, sea, wet
- breakthrougheureka, aha moment, epiphany, revelation, realization
watershedocean
Massive saltwater body
river mouth · confluence · sea · estuary · sink
watershednon-event
Disappointing lack of significance
nonevent · continuity · status quo · routine · business as usual
- watershed momentDecisive, transformative event
- watershed areasLand draining to one outlet