Watersheds, Lakes, Rivers
Watersheds
New York State is divided into 17 watersheds, or drainage basins, which are the basis for management, monitoring, and assessment activities. Click on a watershed on the map below to go to information and assessment reports about that watershed.
A watershed is an area of land that drains into a body of water, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, sea or ocean. The watershed includes the network of rivers, streams and lakes that convey the water, as well as the land surfaces from which water runs off. Watersheds are separated from adjacent watersheds by high points, such as mountains, hills, and ridges.
Lakes
New York State is richly endowed with more than 7,600 freshwater lakes, ponds and reservoirs, as well as portions of two of the five Great Lakes. These inland waterbodies serve as the drinking water supplies for large cities and small towns throughout the State, provide flood control to protect life and property, and support significant sectors of our economy including recreation, tourism, agriculture, fishing, power generation, and manufacturing. Lakes, ponds and reservoirs also provide habitat for aquatic plant and animal life, and offer recreational opportunities such as swimming, fishing, and boating. The most significant lake resources in the state include the Great Lakes of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, Lake Champlain and the numerous Finger Lakes of central New York State.
Rivers
New York has thousands of rivers and stream which carry water on to larger waterbodies. Overall, more than 70,000 miles of rivers and streams cross the State. The most notable rivers in New York include:
- The Hudson River, designated an American Heritage River
- The Susquehanna River, a large interstate river that empties into the Chesapeake Bay
- The Delaware River, designated a National Wild and Scenic River
- The Saint Lawrence River, the gateway between the Great Lakes and Atlantic Ocean
- The Niagara River, which connects New York's two Great Lakes, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario
More about Watersheds, Lakes, Rivers:
- Water Week - Information about annual Water Week Observance and events focusing on NY State Department of Environmental Conservation activities.
- Water Quality Management Planning (604(b)) Projects - Upcoming Funding Available for 604(b) Projects. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) 1009
- NYS Watersheds - Published water quality reports organized by drainage basin
- Watershed Management - Information about the watersheds of New York State
- Finger Lakes - The Finger Lakes run throughout Central New York State. They are home to some of the best fishing and camping in the area.
- Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy - Information on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in New York State.
- New York City Watershed Program - Partnership to protect drinking water for New York City.
- Reservoir Releases - DEC Part 670 Reservoir Releases Regulations (Schoharie Reservoir - Shandaken Tunnel - Esopus Creek), developed pursuant to Title 8 of article 15 of the Environmental Conservation law, were implemented in May 1977. The purpose of these regulations is to regulate the volume and rate of the flow of water from the Schoharie reservoir via the Shandaken tunnel into the Esopus creek to protect and enhance the recreational use of the waters in the creek while ensuring an adequate water supply for New York City.
- Great Lakes - The Great Lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes on the earth, and include lakes Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior
- Hudson River - A river that possesses an abundant and diverse array of natural resources.
- Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers - This page contains a list and description of the river segments designated as either wild, scenic or recreational in New York State.
