We all live in a watershed — the area that drains to a common waterway, such as a stream, lake, estuary, wetland, aquifer, or even the ocean — and our individual actions can directly affect it. Working together using a watershed approach will help protect our nation's water resources.

A basin is a land feature that can be identified by tracing a line along the highest elevations between two areas on a map, often a ridge. Large drainage basins, like the area that drains into the Puget Sound contain thousands of smaller drainage basins.

• Columbia River - Ecology is directed to aggressively pursue development of water supplies to benefit both instream and out-of-stream water uses through implementation of the Columbia River Basin Water Management Program.
• Yakima River - Current and historical information relating to Yakima River basin water management, water right changes and transfers, trust water right acquisition and management, and water banking.
• Puget Sound - Puget Sound needs our help. Governor Chris Gregoire and the Legislature have made it a state priority to engage citizens, community organizations, Tribes and government at every level in restoring Puget Sound and Hood Canal to a healthy condition by 2020.
• Spokane River - The Spokane River is spectacular as it roars through downtown Spokane at high flow. It's a sight that attracts tens of thousands of visitors a year. But that same water also contains high levels of hazardous pollutants that may harm our health and could affect the aquifer that provides drinking water.