Watershed Block

Words: Bronzella Cleveland

https://watershedmaterials.com/
Photo copyright Ed Caldwell.

The Stanford Watershed Block’s color palette is inspired by the rich reddish-brown sandstone beneath the Stanford University campus

Watershed Block has introduced a new line of block all made using local materials that celebrate the region of their origin, all produced with the latest in sustainable building materials technology. The Lime White Watershed Block offers a zero-cement formula, a glacier-white appearance, and a novel mix design with a dramatically increased sustainability profile. The block uses no Portland cement, instead deriving strength from the high compression lithification of lime, recycled ground granulated blast furnace slag, and natural clays.

The Stanford Watershed Block’s color palette is inspired by the rich reddish-brown sandstone beneath the Stanford University campus. The block’s warm hue emerges as red clay from Amador County is mixed with crushed basalt from Mark West Springs, west of Calistoga, and quarry fines from Nun’s Canyon in the Mayacamas Mountains of Sonoma County. Finally, the Sweetwater Watershed Block (pictured) is comprised of mostly rhyolitic fines from Nun’s Canyon with a touch of crushed rhyolite from the BoDean quarry, both in the Mayacamas Mountains of eastern Sonoma County. The sunrise hue of the Sweetwater Block surfaces as the warm, almost peach color of the Nun’s Canyon fines overpowers the gray basalt from Mark West Springs.

Save

Holding History Together: The Art of Lateral Restraint in Masonry Restoration
January 2026

The first thing you notice about an old masonry building isn’t always its beauty. Sometimes it’s the bow in a wall or the way time and the elements have tugged at the mortar joints. Every century-old structure carries its story in cracks, tilts, bows, and

Stone Savvy: Helping Clients Choose Stone with Intent
January 2026

In today’s design environment, clients are surrounded by inspiration, endless images, samples, and styles that make choosing materials feel exciting and overwhelming all at once. Within that sea of options, stone carries weight. It defines first impressio

MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 36 Recap: Kim Spahn, CEO of the Concrete Masonry Checkoff
January 2026

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Justin got to sit down for a conversation with Kim Spahn to talk about the Concrete Masonry Checkoff, how Kim first got involved in this industry, and much more.

From Day One to Long-Term Success: Onboarding Strategies for Contractors
January 2026

The construction industry is facing one of its toughest challenges in decades. Companies are struggling to find enough skilled workers while competing to keep the ones they have. At the same time, projects are becoming more complex, deadlines are tighter,