The 2025 stormwater theme is all about watersheds! Summit Soil & Water’s programming will focus on what a watershed is and how residents can take action to protect their local waterways. This summer, we’re excited to launch the pilot of the HUC Highlight program. HUC, or Hydrologic Unit Code, is used to identify and classify watersheds by size and location. Each month from May through September, we’ll spotlight a different watershed in Summit County, featuring engaging events and activities to inspire stewardship and awareness.
What is a watershed?A watershed, or HUC, is an area of land where all the water—whether from rain, snowmelt, or streams—flows and drains into a common body of water, like a river, lake, or ocean. Watersheds include everything within their boundaries: rivers, streams, wetlands, forests, fields, and communities. They vary in size, from small areas feeding into a single stream to large regions like the Mississippi River watershed that drains much of the United States. Healthy watersheds help filter water, reduce flooding, and support wildlife.
Get involved!Every month, from May through September, Summit SWCD will be featuring one of five highlighted watershed in Summit County seen here. Come join us for an interesting, and educational, tour of our local watersheds, learn what you can do to protect not only your own space - but the watershed as a whole, and have some fun while doing it! Most of this year's events are free and you can sign up for any of those quickly through this form:
May - The Yellow Creek WatershedYellow Creek is a basin of the Lower Cuyahoga River Watershed, located in the Erie Drift Plain ecoregion. This watershed is 1 of 26 named tributaries of the Cuyahoga River and is considered one of the most high-quality tributaries entering the Cuyahoga River. Yellow Creek is designated Warmwater Habitat and Primary Contact Recreational use per Ohio Water Quality Standards. Low to high density developed and impervious area is the predominant land use, covering almost 40% of the watershed. About 45% of the watershed is primarily mature deciduous and evergreen forest, and approximately 15% of the watershed is cultivated crop and pastureland.
Explore more about this watershed with Summit SWCD staff this month! Register for all free events here.
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Watersheds of Summit County
The Yellow Creek Watershed
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June - The Wingfoot WatershedThe Wingfoot Watershed is located along the southern edge of the Lake Erie Basin and has a drainage area of approximately 30.79 square miles (19,706 acres) across both Summit and Portage counties. This watershed contains one of the 26 named tributaries of the Cuyahoga River, the Little Cuyahoga. The eastern segment of the Wingfoot watershed is relatively undeveloped and consists of primarily rural/suburban with some agricultural land use areas and a few Industrial facilities in the Village of Mogadore; while the remaining portion of the Wingfoot watershed is mostly heavily developed and modified, impervious urban/industrial land.
Explore more about this watershed with Summit SWCD staff this month! Register for all free events here.
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The Wingfoot Lake Watershed
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July - The Furnace Run WatershedThe Furnace Run watershed drains 20.34 square miles in northwestern Summit County and a small portion of Cuyahoga County. Furnace Run is one of the healthiest, most intact streams that flow into the Cuyahoga. Over 55% of the Furnace Run watershed is covered by primarily mature deciduous and evergreen forest. Developed land (open space to high intensity) accounts for almost 35% of the watershed. This watershed also contains several, high value, cold water habitats.
Explore more about this watershed with Summit SWCD staff this month! Register for all free events here.
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The Furnace Run Watershed
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August - The Portage Lakes WatershedThe Portage Lakes Watershed drains 36.87 square miles and lies entirely within Summit County in the uppermost headwaters of the Tuscarawas River. Over 77% of this watershed is developed. Most of the impervious cover is concentrated in the northern and eastern areas of the HUC-12 in the cities of Akron and Barberton, however, there are pockets of high-medium urban development in areas around the Portage Lakes, notably along SR 93 in Coventry Township and in the headwaters of Wonder Lake Creek in the City of Green.
Explore more about this watershed with Summit SWCD staff this month! Register for all free events here.
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The Portage Lakes Watershed
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September - The Headwaters Tusc.The Headwaters Tuscarawas River HUC-12 drains approximately 35.79 square miles in Southwestern Summit County, Northern Stark County, and Southwestern corner of Portage County. This watershed is 1 of 98 HUC-12 watersheds in the Tuscarawas Watershed and is 1 of 302 HUC-12 watersheds that comprise the Muskingum River Watershed. Over 60% of this watershed consists of developed land. Over 60% of this watershed consists of developed land. About 15% is covered by agricultural land uses.
Explore more about this watershed with Summit SWCD staff this month! Register for all free events here.
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The Headwaters Tuscarawas Watershed
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