W . Green Oaks Blvd .
W . Green Oaks Blvd .
N . Fielder Rd .
N . Fielder Rd .
The Streamkeeper ’ s Guide to Arlington ’ s 10 Watersheds
Creek Culture : Everything
Begins in a Watershed
CREEK CULTURE IS ABOUT RESTORING AND / OR PRESERVING THE HARMONY BETWEEN HUMANS AND NATURE . Human activities have a significant impact on watersheds and the urban ecosystem as a whole , both positively and negatively .
EVERYTHING BEGINS IN A WATERSHED . A watershed is an entire land area , through which water flows , eventually draining into a common body of water . A watershed includes major and minor creeks , seasonal drainages , storm drains , the riparian corridor , floodplains , and rural and urban spaces that water flows over or under on its way to a larger body of water . Some watersheds are very small and drain into tiny unnamed streams . Other watersheds are very large and can cover many thousands of square miles . Tiny watersheds collectively make up the larger watersheds , just like many properties make up a neighborhood , and many neighborhoods make up a town . To put it simply everybody of water has a watershed , and everybody on the planet lives in a watershed .
Arlington has a total of ten ( 10 ) watersheds : Bowman Branch , Cottonwood , Fish , Johnson , Lower Village , Lynn , Rush , Trinity Tributaries , Upper Village , and Walnut . Since watersheds act as “ water highways ,” small backyard creeks , combine into the mid-size streams , and flow into vast rivers . This means that every creek , tributary , and river that we see in Arlington will eventually reach a larger body of water . And everything that happens within a smaller watershed can have an effect on the larger watershed .
This diagram represents a typical watershed
WHAT DOES A WATERSHED HAVE TO DO WITH AN URBAN ECOSYSTEM ? Remember , watersheds are important parts of both wild and civilized places . They , like any are of land where water drains ( including cities ) are an integral component of the urban environment and its ecosystem functions . Even though the urban environment might alter “ natural ” watershed dynamics because of development and infrastructure changes , urban ecosystems would not be ecosystems without watersheds .
Therefore , the ultimate goal in Arlington is to maintain a healthy ecosystem that continues to provide many benefits : improved water quality , increased biodiversity , flood control , reduced vulnerability to invasive species , erosion and sediment control , and spaces for humans to enjoy .
Photo credit : www . bewaterfriendly . com
Lake Arlington
Shorewood Dr .
Perkins Rd .
Upper Village Creek
Little Rd .
Mansfield Hwy
Lake Arlington
Shorewood Dr .
Kelly Elliot Rd .
Upper Village Creek
US-287 HWY
Rush Creek
Perkins Rd .
W . Sublett Rd .
Curry Rd .
Park Springs Blvd .
Park Springs Blvd .
Forest Edge Dr .
Roosevelt Dr .
Little Rd .
Mansfield Hwy
Division St .
Kelly Elliot Rd .
US-287 HWY
Rush Creek
W . Sublett Rd .
Curry Rd .
Park Springs Blvd .
Park Springs Blvd .
Roosevelt Dr .
Division St .
S . Bowen Rd .
W . Randol Mill Rd .
W . Harris Rd .
W . Lamar Blvd .
Johnson Creek Lower Village Creek
Forest Edge Dr .
Turner Warnell Rd .
W . Park Row Dr .
W . Pleasant Ridge Rd .
S . Cooper St .
S . Fielder Rd .
California Ln .
W . Bardin Rd .
N . Cooper St .
Trinity Tributaries
Collins St .
Johnson Creek
Matlock Rd .
Green Oaks Blvd .
Turner Warnell Rd .
N . E . Green Oaks Blvd .
E . Lamar Blvd .
E . Randol Mill Rd .
Pioneer Pkwy
Cravens Park Dr .
Silo Rd .
Fish Creek
Bowman Branch
E . Harris Rd .
Lynn Creek
IH-30
Arbrook Blvd .
E . Sublett Rd .
Stadium Dr .
E . Abram St .
New York Ave .
Mayfield Rd .
Arkansas Ln .
IH-20
Southeast Pkwy
Brown Blvd .
Ballpark Way
Six Flags Dr .
Ave . J
Walnut Creek Walnut Creek
Cottonwood Creek
SH-360
E . Bardin Rd .
Ave . E
Ave . F
Joe Pool Lake
Joe Pool Lake
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© OpenStreetMap ( and ) contributors , CC-BY-SA , TCEQ © OpenStreetMap ( and ) contributors , CC-BY-SA , TCEQ
Road Road
0 0.5 1 0 0.5 2 1 32 43 4
Miles Miles
Impaired Reservoirs Impaired Reservoirs
Impaired Streams Impaired Streams Reservoir Segments
Reservoir Segments Stream Segments
Stream Segments Municipal Boundary
Municipal Boundary
S . Bowen Rd .
W . Randol Mill Rd .
W . Harris Rd .
W . Lamar Blvd .
Lower Village Creek
Turner Warnell Rd .
W . Park Row Dr .
S . Cooper St .
S . Fielder Rd .
California Ln .
W . Pleasant Ridge Rd .
W . Bardin Rd .
N . Cooper St .
Matlock Rd .
Green Oaks Blvd .
Turner Warnell Rd .
N . E . Green Oaks Blvd .
Trinity Tributaries
E . Lamar Blvd .
E . Randol Mill Rd .
Collins St .
Pioneer Pkwy
Cravens Park Dr .
Silo Rd .
Fish Creek
Bowman Branch
E . Harris Rd .
Lynn Creek
IH-30
Arbrook Blvd .
E . Sublett Rd .
Stadium Dr .
E . Abram St .
New York Ave .
Mayfield Rd .
Arkansas Ln .
IH-20
Southeast Pkwy
Brown Blvd .
Ballpark Way
Six Flags Dr .
Ave . J
Cottonwood Creek
SH-360
E . Bardin Rd .
Ave . E
Ave . F
City of City Arlington of Arlington Environmental Management
Environmental Management
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Watershed & Drainage Basin Map Watershed & Drainage Basin Map
CREEK CULTURE POLLUTION PREVENTION TIPS : In the following pages , you ’ ll learn about the ways you can positively interact with and enjoy Arlington ’ s urban ecosystem . We ’ ve included some “ quick facts ” about each watershed — population , area , impairments ,* and threats — as a reminder that even as you enjoy what these watersheds have to offer , there is a delicate balance we must maintain . Your health and the health of our watersheds is inseparable . You are the first step in protecting the quality of our watersheds , and hence our entire urban ecosystem . As a future Streamkeeper , as you begin your Arlington ecosystem adventure , remember some of our creek culture tips to preserve the harmony between you and our “ eco-tainment ” spaces !
• Plan ahead and bring the right gear .
• Stay on designated trails .
• Avoid bringing disposable plastic bags or bottles .
• Dispose of waste properly ; avoid littering .
• Respect wildlife .
• Practice leaving no trace .
• Observe all safety warnings and signage .
* Impairment status is identified per the 2024 Texas Integrated Report 5