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

Is Contact with Wet Mortar or Grout Dangerous?
April 2026

In the world of masonry, few materials are as common as mortar and grout. Whether you are laying brick, concrete masonry units (CMU), or pouring grout into masonry walls, wet cement and mortar are constant companions. However, beneath their utility lies a

The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic