A watershed is the area that drains to a particular water body or point in a river. Small watershed areas are nested within larger watersheds. (See the Watershed Maps link to see the different watersheds that you are currently in).

The upper East Canyon watershed includes all the land draining into East Canyon Creek from its headwaters to the north end of East Canyon Reservoir.

Facts about the upper East Canyon Watershed:

• The watershed is not very big (about 144 square miles). The Great Salt Lake is 12 times larger.
• It is located entirely on the eastern slope of the Wasatch Mountains.
• Its highest point is Scott Hill (10116 feet) at the top of Iron Canyon and its lowest point is just above East Canyon Reservoir (5600 feet).
• 93% of the area is forest or shrub / scrub habitat.
• About 2% of the watershed is used for agriculture (mostly grazing).
• 96% of the land is privately owned.
• Precipitation varies with elevation, averaging 44 inches/year at the highest elevations and 19 inches/year near the reservoir.