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watershed-management

/ˈwɔː.tə.ʃed ˈmæn.ɪdʒ.mənt/
IELTSAcademic
noun

the planning and care of a river basin, including land, water, and natural resources. It aims to reduce flooding, soil loss, and water pollution.

  • Watershed management can reduce flood damage.
  • Good watershed management protects drinking water.
  • The project improved watershed management in the hills.

Adinary Nuance

Watershed management is more specific than water management. It focuses on one whole drainage area, including hills, fields, rivers, and human activity. It is also broader than flood control, because it protects water quality and soil as well. Writers choose it when they want to stress a full-area environmental plan, not just one water problem.

In other languages

Vietnamese
quản lý lưu vực
Spanish
gestión de cuencas
Chinese
流域管理
Japanese
流域管理
Korean
유역 관리

Etymology

This term comes from English words used in geography and land use. It became common in modern environmental and development writing in the 20th century.

Common phrases

watershed management planintegrated watershed managementcommunity watershed managementwatershed management project

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is watershed management the same as water management?
No. Watershed management is narrower. It covers one land area that drains into the same water system.
Is watershed management used in environmental studies?
Yes. It is common in geography, agriculture, and environmental planning.
Can I use watershed management in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Yes, if your topic is environment, farming, or natural resources. It sounds formal and academic.
What is an example of watershed management?
Planting trees to stop soil erosion is one example. Building small check dams is another.