watershed

• Substantiv mit mehreren Bedeutungen: bezeichnet die Wasserscheide (den Kammlinie, die zwei Flusssysteme trennt), das gesamte Einzugsgebiet eines Flusses oder einen kritischen Wendepunkt bzw. ein Ereignis, das einen bedeutenden Wandel im Verlauf der Geschichte oder Entwicklung markiert.

A noun with multiple meanings: it can refer to a ridge of land separating two river systems, the entire drainage area of a river, or a critical turning point or event that marks a significant change in the course of history or development.

1. Geographic divideB2formalscientific

   A ridge of high land that separates two adjacent river systems, directing water flow to different basins.

   Wasserscheide

   • The Continental Divide is a major watershed in North America.
   • Rain falling on one side of the watershed flows into the Atlantic, while the other side drains into the Pacific.
   • Hikers crossed the watershed ridge, noticing the streams began flowing in opposite directions.

   Synonymedivide

2. Drainage basinB2formalscientific

   The entire geographical area drained by a river and its tributaries, where all runoff converges to a single outlet.

   Einzugsgebiet

   • The Amazon watershed covers a vast portion of South America.
   • Environmentalists study the health of the entire watershed to protect water quality.
   • The river's watershed includes many smaller streams and creeks.

   Synonymebasincatchmentcatchment areadrainage areadrainage basinriver basin

3. Turning pointB2formal

   An event or period that marks a significant historical change or a crucial point on which future developments depend.

   Wendepunkt

   • The election was a watershed in the country's political history.
   • The invention of the internet was a watershed moment for global communication.
   • The court's decision served as a watershed for civil rights legislation.

   Synonymeclimactericcritical pointdividelandmarkmilestonemoment of truthturning point