(Watershed connectivity summary information is from Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership's Southeast Aquatic Habitat Plan )

Watershed connectivity in a habitat context can be described as physical, chemical, and biological conditions that accommodate the movements of aquatic organisms, nutrients, water, or energy into various necessary habitats or habitat types. Waterbodies, whether flowing or static, require regular and, at times, unrestricted movements of these to support their ecological systems. Watersheds need similar connectivity within and between rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs, and between terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Some physical
impediments to connectivity such as dams, levees, incised channels, armored shorelines, and culverts can block or change these movements. Impediments such as chemical, biological, and thermal barriers, invasive species, impervious areas, and reduction of the vegetated canopy can also affect connectivity. These impediments are more easily adjusted than the physical ones, although no adjustments are simple. Often barriers to connectivity
have a positive use in one part of a watershed, but negatively affect the productivity of some ecosystems in other parts of the same watershed. Occasionally, the purpose for a barrier has disappeared altogether, but the barrier remains. The objective is to conserve or improve watershed connectivity in a manner that will maintain or improve the health of habitats, ecological systems, and populations of fish and other aquatic organisms and meet
public needs within a watershed and the region.