Difference between revisions of "Urban stormwater management in the City of Watsonville"
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The Pajaro River runs thorough the City of Watsonville in its boundary. | The Pajaro River runs thorough the City of Watsonville in its boundary. | ||
| − | Some of the waterways are listed as impaired under the 303 d list. These include: | + | Some of the waterways are listed as impaired under the [[The 303d list of Impaired Waterbodies in the Monterey Bay Region|303 d list]]. These include: |
*Salsipuedes Creek | *Salsipuedes Creek | ||
*Pajaro River | *Pajaro River | ||
Revision as of 14:38, 9 April 2013
Contents
Summary
The City Of Watsonville has a storm drain system that directs storm water runoff from streets along gutters and through underground pipes and discharge into the major waterways, and eventually the into Monterey Bay. This system includes maintenance of 2000 storm drain inlets, 50 miles of storm water pipeline, and 15 storm water pumps located along Corralitos Creek and the Pajaro River [1]. The system was originally designed to control flood events. The storm water runoff is untreated drains and flows directly into the ocean.
Waterways
The Pajaro River runs thorough the City of Watsonville in its boundary.
Some of the waterways are listed as impaired under the 303 d list. These include:
- Salsipuedes Creek
- Pajaro River
- Pinto Lake
- Harkins Slough
- Struve Slough
- Watsonville Slough
Regulatory Background
Many laws and policies have been implemented and enforced over the last few decades to reduce pollutants and contaminants being discharged into the Pajaro River, and the Watsonville Slough Complex.
Local Regulations
- TMDL Designations for Watsonville Pajaro River Nutrients TMDL
- TMDL Designations for Watsonville Pajaro River Sediment TMDL
Management Strategies
The City of Watsonville follows Low Impact Development Best Management Practices that are outlined in the Design Guide,[2] which is an interim guide where the Watsonville designates a common hydromodification control standard with the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. The Design Guidance replaces the City of Watsonville’s Storm Water Land Development Standards.
Storm Water Management Plan
Watsonville submits an annual review of their Storm Water Management Plan's (SWMP) effectiveness, BMPs effectiveness and improvement opportunities to achieve the Maximum Extent Practicable (MEP) that are required under Phase II permit requirements.
Watsonville's Annual Reports:
Timeline
- 1997 Current Industrial Activities Storm Water General Permit
- 2009 Storm Water Management Plan approved.
- 2010 City of Watsonville Urban Water Management Plan [1]
- 2011 Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin
Resources at Stake
A large percent of the population relies on the continued health and vitality of the agricultural industry for their income and livelihood. Storm water problems are a continuous threat to that economic sector due to past scares with E.coli contaminated lettuce in the region.[3] Also, the Watsonville Slough system is comprised of Harkins, Gallighan, Hanson, Struve, and Watsonville Sloughs and drains an area of approximately 50 km2 (13,000 acres).[4] This area contains significant coastal habitats including, salt marsh, brackish and fresh water marsh and the diversity of habitats within this coastal area makes the Watsonville Slough a valuable resource for both coastal plant communities as well as fish and migratory birds.
- Salsipuedes Creek Capacity Enhancement & Restoration Project: City and County staff are partnering with the US Army Corps of Engineers to receive early feedback with regard to permitting the project. Corps staff are in the process of securing permits for a bench excavation project along the creek. The process requires preparation of 70% complete design plans for the project and a hydraulic bank stability assessment, to be completed by Northwest Hydraulic Consultants, Inc. (NHC)[5]
Stakeholders
- Division of Public Works
- Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
- City of Watsonville
- The City of Watsonville Resource Conservation Program
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County
- Resource Conservation District of Santa CRuz County
- Watsonville Wetlands Watch
- Action Pajaro Valley
- Save Our Shores
- Ecology Action
References
- ↑ Sewer/Storm Drains
- ↑ Low Impact Development Best Management Practices - Design Guide
- ↑ Flynn, Dan. E. coli-Contaminated Lettuce Came from a California LGMA Grower. 2013 Jan 15. www.foodsafetynews.com
- ↑ Non-Point Source Program - CCA NPS Watershed Assessment for Watsonville Slough
- ↑ Northwest Hydraulic Consultants, Inc
Links
- Urban stormwater management in the Monterey Bay region
- Urban stormwater management in the City of Pacific Grove
- Urban stormwater management in the City of Scotts Valley
- Urban stormwater management in the City of Santa Cruz
- Urban stormwater management in the City of Capitola
- Urban stormwater management in Santa Cruz County
- City of Watsonville
- Watsonville Public Library
- Central Coast Watershed Studies
- Watsonville Water Quality Reports
Disclaimer
This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.
