If you live anywhere near Mobile Alabama, you live in one of six major river watersheds; the Alabama River, Conecuh-Sepulga, Tombigbee, Perdido, Escatawpa and Mobile River watersheds. A watershed is an area on the landscape that collects and then drains water to a common body of water, such as a river, lake, or wetland. These large river watersheds are made up of smaller watersheds with names you might also recognize, including the Dog River, Halls Mill Creek, Juniper Creek, Big Creek Lake (the drinking water source for Mobile), Fowl River, Fish River, Magnolia River, Bon Secour River, Wolf Creek and Styx River.

Since watersheds act like funnels, collecting and directing runoff water, anything left loose or spread on the ground can find its way into our waterways. Sediment from eroding soil, nutrients from fertilizers, bacteria from pet and livestock waste, and toxins from pesticides and spilled chemicals are pollutants that can wash from watersheds and into waterways if we are not careful. This type of water pollution goes by several names, including stormwater pollution, runoff pollution, and nonpoint source pollution.

We can take action individually and together as communities to be “watershed wise” and prevent stormwater pollution. Good things are happening! Thanks to a partnership with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), the Alabama Clean Water Partnership, and StormCenter Communications, information on how we can better protect our water resources is available on this website and on News 5, WKRG-TV broadcasts.

We hope that you enjoy this site and are able to use information you learn to better protect Alabama’s rivers, lakes and wetlands.