Geist Watershed Alliance

Geist Reservoir obviously plays a significant role in the Metro Indianapolis area in terms of drinking water and recreation, but it also impacts the entire nation in terms of water quality for the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, as well as the Gulf of Mexico. Poor water quality caused by high nutrient levels from lawn care and other detrimental practices are ultimately contributing to the Dead Zones that have been appearing in the Gulf where much of our seafood comes from. These Dead Zones are areas where there is insufficient oxygen to support aquatic life, and consequently impairs our food supply.

The map above demonstrates Geist Reservoir’s placement and impact in the region known as the Geist Watershed.

The maps below depicts how the Geist Watershed fits in with the Upper White River Watershed (left) and the Ohio and Tennessee River Basin (right).

Note that in the map on the left, the Geist Watershed is indicated in orange. Click on the images to see a larger version.