Water is unquestionably one of the most important natural resources on Earth –everyone and everything needs water to live. Canada contains 9% of the world’s accessible fresh water and Nova Scotia alone has over 100 river systems, 10 000 lakes, and 35 000 wetlands.
We all live in a watershed!
I live in the Bay of Fundy/Annapolis River Watershed … Which Watershed do you live in?
In the 1920’s, the Water Survey of Canada developed a Water Resources Index Inventory
as a system for recording and filing water resources data. Their system divided Canada
into eleven major drainage regions. Each region was subdivided further into primary,
secondary, or smaller watersheds. This system has been used ever since.
The Maritime provinces are one of the eleven national drainage regions. The map below, shows the 46 primary watershed divisions in Nova Scotia. Because of the way the province is shaped, the primary watersheds drain into four different coastal regions
Atlantic Ocean, such as the LaHave of Sackville Rivers
Bay of Fundy-Gulf of Maine, such as the Annapolis River
Northumberland Strait, such as River Philip-Wallace
Cape Breton Island/Brasd’Or Lakes, such as Salmon- Mira River
A watershed carries water “shed” from the land after rain falls and snow melts. Drop by drop, water is channeled into soils, ground waters, creeks, and streams, making its way to larger rivers and eventually the ocean.
The 46 primary watershed divisions in Nova Scotia are:
- Tusket River 24. Tidnish, Shinimicas River
- Barrington/Clyde River 25. Missaguash River
- Meteghan River 26. Philip Wallace River
- Roseway, Sable, Jorden River 27. River John
- Sissiboo, Bear River 28. East, Middle, West River (Pictou)
- Mersey River 29. French River
- Annapolis River 30. St. Mary’s River
- Herring Cove, Medway River 31. Liscomb River
- LaHave River 32. Country Harbour River
- Gold River 33. South, West River
- Gaspereau River 34. Tracadie River
- St. Croix River 35. New Harbour, Salmon River
- East, Indian River 36. Clam Harbour, St. Francis River
- Sackville River 37. River Inhabitants
- Shubenacadie River 38. Grand River
- Kennetcook river 39. Isle Madame
- Musquodoboit River 40. Salmone, Mira River
- Tangier 41. North, Baddeck, Middle River
- East, West River (Sheet Hrb) 42. Indian River
- Salmon, Debert River 43. Wreck Cove
- 21. Economy River 44. Cheticamp River
- 22. Parrsboro River 45. Margaree River
- 23. Kelly, Maccan, Herbert River 46. River Denys, Big River
AlbertaWPS@gmail.com Bridgetown, NS
Why a Watershed Painting School?
Painting outdoors can and does draw attention. So, as we paint, others can interact with us and we will have the opportunity to tell the story of our paintings. The story? Yes, I am painting this scene from “this” Watershed. This is my classroom and I want to learn as much as I can about what gives this painting life. Also, I want to encourage others to become aware of Watersheds and hopefully motivate participation in looking after them.
AlbertaWPS@gmail.com, Bridgetown, NS
I wanted to find a way to engage others in my community and beyond. Combining an activity I enjoy with an environmental concern seemed to be the natural path for me to follow. As long as I can encourage people to come out to interact in nature, learn and discover more about our watersheds, I will offer awareness through my Watershed Painting School.
Find which watershed region of Nova Scotia you live in on page 32 at:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/water.strategy/docs/WaterStrategy_Water.Resources.Management.Strategy.pdf
Nova Scotia Environment. Water For Life: Nova Scotia’s Water Resource Management Strategy. Halifax, N.S. : Department of Environment, 2010.
