The acquisition of open space in our reservoir watersheds improves water quality, promotes good public health and assists in maintaining lower water treatment cost," said City Manager Michael V.

USGS identifies top watershed responsible for Gulf of Mexico 'dead zone': A study by the US Geological Survey has identified the top 150 polluting watersheds in the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin that are responsible for the 8,000-square-mile "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico, and called for management efforts to reduce nutrient runoff from excessive fertilizer use.

Wildfires in other watersheds have wiped out forests and cooked the soil to a baked-glass texture that sheds tons of sediment and debris into municipal reservoirs.