What?

A catchment is a region which drains rain water that falls on it.

Catchment areas are determined by the geographical features of the land. In a catchment, all rain and run off eventually flows into a creek, lake or ocean, or into the groundwater.

Boundary is defined by a ridge where water flows in the opposite direction away from the catchment basin.

Photograph of a catchment showing where water runs down a slope into a water body.

Photography by TVU © Sydney Catchment Authority