Chapter Hazard Analysis

W

A watershed includes all land that drains to a common channel

atersheds: A “watershed” is an area of land that drains into a lake, stream or other body of water. The runoff from rain or snowmelt is collected by smaller channels (tributaries), which send the water to larger channels and eventually to the lowest body of water in the watershed (main channel). When a channel receives too much water, the excess flows over its banks and into the adjacent area – causing a flood.

Kane County has 12 major watersheds, which are shown in Map 2-1 on the next page. Data on these watersheds are displayed in the table on page 2-3.

Many of the major watersheds in Kane County extend into neighboring counties. In the case of the Fox River, the watershed begins in Wisconsin. A number of the watersheds, such as Tyler Creek and Mill Creek, flow into the Fox River. Other watersheds, such as Coon Creek or Union Ditch, flow to the west and eventually make their way to the Kishwaukee River.