Santa Ana River Watershed Program

COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION CASE STUDY

Returning Natural Functions To An Urbanized River

Location: Northeastern/Mid-Atlantic

Project Summary: The Santa Ana Watershed Association develops and implements programs that enhance and sustain the natural resources of the river for wildlife and people.

Resource Challenge

The Santa Ana River Watershed is the largest in coastal southern California encompassing 3,200 square miles including the homes and businesses of millions of people. People demand benefits from the river including recreational opportunities, water, flood control, aesthetic vistas, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The floodplain has been greatly reduced and the riparian forests dramatically affected by that reduction and flood control operations. However, there are still magnificent forests in the local mountains and along the river and a large diversity and abundance of wildlife dependant upon the river. With so many people living, working, and playing along the river, the natural resources have been stressed. Invasive, non-native species in particular have wreaked havoc with native habitat and wildlife. In tackling these resource issues the Santa Ana Watershed Association (SAWA) focused first on invasive control, wildlife management, and public involvement.

Examples of Key Partners

Inland Empire Resource Conservation District; Orange County Water District; San Jacinto Basin RCD; Riverside-Corona RCD; US Fish and Wildlife Service; US Army Corps of Engineers; California Department of Fish and Game; Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board; Riverside County Parks and Open Space District; 9 Cities, 3 counties, and many private interests.

Results and Accomplishments

SAWA is a non-profit entity and has obtained grants and mitigation money to manage the natural resources of the Santa Ana River. A noxious weed giant reed or Arundo had taken over more than half of the native riparian habitat on the river, perhaps 10,000 acres. SAWA has removed 3,000 of those acres so far, is maintaining those lands weed-free, and looking for the next grant to continue the relentless marsh to the Pacific Ocean. The entire upper watershed of the river has been cleaned and is being monitored by a team of 11 biologists and seasonal aids. Endangered species are monitored and managed in particular to avoid potential impacts of the weed-control activities. The least Bell's vireo is one such endangered bird that has been managed in this watershed since the early 1980s. As of 2004 the Santa Ana River population surpased that on Camp Pendleton to become the largest in existence because of our management efforts.

Innovation/Highlight

The major innovation of this program is its ecosystem focus. We have managed to get away from site-specific tree for tree mitigation and orientation in exchange for an approach that is healing the river naturally. Habitat has rebounded in all of the weed removal areas, so we are using natural succession to achieve habitat restoration on a scale that would be cost prohibitive.

Project Contact

Richard Zembal
Natural Resources Director
Orange County Water District
10500 Ellis Avenue
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714-378-3203
RZembal@OCWD.com

Jennifer Ares
SAWA Chairperson
SAWA
25864 Business Center Drive
RedlandsCA 92374
909-799-7407
JAres@iercd.org

Website: http://SAWARCD.com

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