My Watershed Map

What is a watershed?

A watershed is an area of land where all of the moisture that falls on it flows into the same waterway.

A watershed can be as small as a backyard or many thousands of square miles. For example the watershed most Tulsans are familiar with might be the Arkansas River. The Arkansas River begins in Colorado's Rocky Mountains and flows 1,469 miles to the Mississippi River. It drains parts of seven states, including Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas - a watershed of 168,002 square miles. This makes it the 9th largest watershed in the U.S.

Why are watersheds important?

Tulsa is required, under the Clean Water Act, to eliminate sources of pollution in its stormwater runoff. Knowing the boundaries of a watershed where pollution originates can help find the pollution source.

Many things cause pollution in streams including things we wouldn't normally think of: grass clippings, pet wastes, leaking vehicle fluids, sediment, trash, as well as many other things listed online.

Learning about what watershed you live in can help you learn about issues that may affect your health and safety, such as flooding and pollution.

Tulsa's Stormwater Quality Section began conducting stream sampling on 30 of Tulsa's largest watersheds in 2012. As we learn more about the health of these streams we will share more information with the public on these waterways.

Tulsa is a beautiful city with wonderful natural areas. Its streams need to be recognized as a community asset given their function and beauty. We hope the "My Watershed" tool enables you to learn more about Tulsa's wonderful streams.

Watershed Wildflower Meadows

The City of Tulsa Stormwater Quality Department is planting Watershed Wildflower Meadows across Tulsa to help protect local waterways and support native wildlife. Tulsa’s stormwater system carries rainwater directly to Bird Creek and the Arkansas River. These meadows act as natural buffer that slows water, filters pollutants, and keep our streams healthier.

 Watershed Wildflower Meadows are planted areas of native flowers and grasses designed to:

• Slow the movement of stormwater
• Increase water absorption into the soil
• Naturally filter pollutants before runoff reaches creeks and rivers

By working with nature, these meadows help reduce stormwater impacts on Tulsa’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).

Why Wildflower Meadows Matter

These native landscapes provide powerful benefits for Tulsa:

• Support pollinators by increasing food and habitat for native insects and macroinvertebrates
• Improve stormwater absorption through deep-rooted native plants
• Filter pollutants naturally through plant uptake
• Reduce long-term maintenance costs by limiting mowing and disturbance
• Drought-resistant plants that require little to no supplemental care
• Natural beauty that returns every year

Completed Wildflower Meadow Locations:

Tulsa currently has four active wildflower meadow sites, totaling 10 acres:

• 33rd West Avenue & West 91st Street
• North Erie Avenue & Highway 11
• Tupelo Creek Acquisition Lot
• Woodland Hills South Detention Pond

Native seeds were used by regionally sourced providers.

Native Plants You May See:

Wildflower Meadows feature a variety of native species, including:

• Black-eyed Susan
• Prairie Wildrye
• Plains Coreopsis
• Little Bluestem
• Indian Blanket
• Purple Coneflower

(Plant species may vary by meadow location.)

Where to Find Wildflower Meadows:

The Stormwater Quality Department is evaluating eight additional locations for future meadows, including:

• Areas along creeks and streams
• Retention and detention ponds
• Natural grassy stormwater areas
• Priority watershed locations

Growing Smarter Sustainable Stormwater Solutions

Watershed Wildflower Meadows are one more way Tulsa is investing in sustainable infrastructure, healthy waterways, and a more resilient Tulsa for future generations.