Question

You know the streets that make the boundaries of your neighborhood and the roads that border your hometown. What makes the boundary of a watershed?

Answer 1

The boundary of a watershed is determined by the topographical divides of the land such as ridges or elevation changes that dictate the direction of precipitation flow, converging into a common point such as a river, lake, or reservoir.

Step-by-step explanation:

The boundary of a watershed is defined by the topographical features of the land that determine the direction in which precipitation flows. Rain or snow that falls within a watershed's boundaries will drain into a common point, such as a river, lake, or reservoir, often providing water for municipal use, irrigation, and natural ecosystems. The ridges and divides of the landscape act like barriers that direct the flow of surface runoff and groundwater seepage.

For example, the Mississippi River drainage basin has its boundaries defined by the topographical divides that separate its drainage from adjacent watersheds. Within these natural physical boundaries, all precipitation is channeled towards the Mississippi River and its tributaries, which collectively form the watershed's drainage system.