on a watershed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a watershed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a critical point or turning point in a situation, often related to decisions or events that have significant consequences. Example: "The company is at a watershed moment, where the choices made now will determine its future success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"We want to know what benefit a project would have on a watershed basis".

The New York Times

Depression storage can be a significant storage element on a watershed surface, accounting for the retention of much water.

Journal of Hydrology

Sherman, city, seat (1846) of Grayson county, northern Texas, U.S. It lies on a watershed split between the Red and Trinity rivers, near Lake Texoma and Denison.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The method is calibrated and validated on a watershed, close to the town of Algiers, northern Algeria, where gully erosion affects most of the slopes.

Geomorphology

In assessing environmental impacts, it may be more practical to consider metal loadings on a watershed scale than to rely on a comparison with operationally defined background concentrations.

Applied Geochemistry

The community-based shared values are categorized into six functional values that can be placed on a watershed: industry, ecosystem, lifestyle, landscape, water resource and spirituality.

Journal of Hydrology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

In order to analyze the impact of the water surface area of a watershed on the design flood, the watershed was classified into a land watershed and a water surface watershed for flood flow calculation at the same time interval.

Water Science and Engineering

We're on the verge of a watershed moment for transparency, but the SEC needs to do its part.

Huffington Post

Considering all the possible new treatments that are under investigation, we posit that we are on the verge of a watershed moment in GBM management.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

The other night, video game streaming went through what I think we'll one day look back on as a watershed moment.

Forbes

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of successive reservoir expansion and forest harvest events over a 100-year period on a watershed-scale terrestrial C budget.

Applied Geography

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on a watershed", consider the context carefully. Is it being used in a literal, geographical sense, or a metaphorical sense to indicate a crucial point? Choose the phrasing that best suits your meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "on a watershed" loosely to describe any general area or region. It specifically refers to the area of land that drains into a particular body of water or a critical juncture, so ensure your usage aligns with this definition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a watershed" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or verb to specify the location, scale, or context of an action or situation. It is found, for example, to describe studies or models conducted within a drainage area as Ludwig AI highlights.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on a watershed" is a versatile prepositional phrase with both literal and metaphorical applications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and commonly used in scientific, news, and academic contexts. While the phrase often refers to geographical locations and hydrological studies, it can also describe critical moments or turning points. When using the phrase, ensure that the context is clear and that the term is appropriately applied to the intended meaning. Alternatives like "at a crucial juncture" or "at a drainage divide" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a drainage divide

Focuses specifically on the geographical aspect of a watershed's boundary.

at a crucial juncture

Emphasizes the importance and decisiveness of the moment or situation.

at a critical turning point

Highlights the potential for significant change and new directions.

in a pivotal moment

Conveys the sense of a key moment that influences future events.

at the apex of a drainage basin

Replaces general 'watershed' with more specific hydrographic terminology.

at a hydrological boundary

Technical phrase emphasizing the water-related aspects.

at the headwaters

Indicates the source or beginning of a river system within a watershed.

at the edge of the catchment area

More specific and technical term to define the boundaries of a watershed.

at a climactic stage

Shifts the emphasis to the culmination of a process within the area.

on a ridge between river basins

Focuses on the high ground that separates watersheds.

FAQs

How is "on a watershed" used in scientific writing?

In scientific contexts, "on a watershed" typically refers to studies, analyses, or management practices conducted within the geographical boundaries of a specific drainage area. For example, "assessing metal loadings "on a watershed scale"" is common.

Can "on a watershed" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "on a watershed" can be used metaphorically to describe a turning point or a significant moment that has lasting consequences, similar to how a watershed directs the flow of water. For instance, "We're "on the verge of a watershed moment" for transparency."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "on a watershed"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "at a crucial juncture", "at a critical turning point", or, if referring to the physical location, "at a drainage divide".

Is it correct to say "in a watershed" instead of "on a watershed"?

While "in a watershed" might be used to describe something located within the general area of a watershed, "on a watershed" is typically preferred when referring to activities, impacts, or analyses conducted across the entire area or at a specific point within it.