Watershed Appreciation – Get to Know the Coyote Creek Watershed

From La Habra to San Clemente, all of Orange County is located in a watershed. No matter if you’re fishing at Tri-City Park, enjoying a picnic at Ralph B. Clark Regional Park, catching some sun at Seal Beach, or strolling on the Fullerton Creek Greenbelt, you’re using the Coyote Creek Watershed’s resources.

Because everything that flows through the storm drain system goes untreated into our waterways, our actions can harm local creeks, rivers, and the ocean. For example, if you leave food wrappers or cigarette butts on the ground, they can enter storm drains and end up harming marine life. It’s up to all of us to keep pollutants out of our waterways by protecting our watersheds.

The Coyote Creek Watershed is the fourth in a series of blogs that will showcase the wonders of each of the 11 watersheds in Orange County. If you’re new to the concept of watershed appreciation, our What is A Watershed? page is a great place to get started! To find out which watershed you live in, visit our interactive map.

From unique features and recreational opportunities, to pollution prevention and stormwater resources, it’s time to take a deep dive and get to know the Coyote Creek Watershed!

WONDERS OF THE COYOTE CREEK WATERSHED

Unique Features

The Coyote Creek Watershed covers 41.3 square miles and encompasses all or parts of the cities of Anaheim, La Habra, Brea, Placentia, Fullerton, Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Stanton and Seal Beach. Because watersheds are defined by natural contours of the land, we in Orange County also share this watershed with residents in Los Angeles County. This watershed boasts Ralph B. Clark Regional Park, a 105-acre nature-lovers oasis, and the Fullerton Creek Greenbelt, a calming 1.2 mile trail along Fullerton Creek, among other incredible public spaces. Keeping our environment and waterways thriving will always be a top priority for Orange County.

Wildlife & Plants

While exploring the Coyote Creek Watershed, you’re bound to spot several animal and plant species. Ralph B. Clark Regional Park is home to birds like ospreys and western bluebirds, as well as common slider turtles, desert cottontail rabbits, prickly pear cacti, and fire stick succulents. Tri-City Regional Park is a 40 acre nature preserve and wildlife sanctuary that hosts waterfowl, great egrets, coastal cactus wren, mallards, European starling, brewer’s blackbird, bushtit, yellow-rumped warbler, sycamore trees, and eucalyptus trees. Catfish and bluegill are also stocked in recreational ponds throughout the watershed, a delight for local anglers. Preventing runoff into the storm drain system protects the Coyote Creek Watershed’s flora and fauna and keeps our waterways healthy.

Recreation

Hiking, fishing, sunbathing, tennis, biking, surfing, baseball, volleyball, and bird watching are all favorite activities in the Coyote Creek Watershed. Here are some of the several recreational areas you can enjoy:

• Ted Craig Regional Park – This 124-acre park in Fullerton provides ample opportunities for the blissful activities of your choice. Enjoy a barbeque with the family, play softball with your friends, go for a run or hike, birdwatch, launch your model radio-controlled sailboat, and more. Anglers possessing a California Fish and Game License can also catch catfish and bluegill in the 3-acre lake. Spend the entire day here exploring everything this park has to offer!
• Seal Beach – Soak up some rays and enjoy the northernmost beach in Orange County. Beachgoers enjoy sunbathing, surfing, and walking the pier, while seeing dolphins, seals, and mountains in the distance.
• Ralph B. Clark Regional Park–This 104-acre park at the base of the Coyote Hills has something for everyone. The Interpretive Center’s paleontology museum wonderfully showcases Orange County’s prehistoric life through exhibits and fossils. The trails provide ample room to wander, horseshoe pits and volleyball courts allow for healthy competition, and picnic shelters are perfect for an afternoon meal. Also, fishing catfish and bluegill is allowed with a license, so don’t forget your poles and bait!

• Tri-City Regional Park – Venture through this 40-acre oasis in Placentia which doubles as a wildlife sanctuary. Admire the many species of birds, relax on one of the many benches, or go on a hike! Launching your model radio-controlled sailboat is allowed here on the 8-acre lake, as is fishing with a license.
• Fullerton Creek Greenbelt – Stroll along this 1.2-mile paved trail with calming views of the Fullerton Creek throughout. This tree-lined and serene path also has an exercise par course along the trail for those who want to enhance their workout. Leashed dogs are welcome too!
• Coyote Creek Bikeway – This 12-mile bikeway spans through both Orange County and Los Angeles County along Coyote Creek and links up with the 38-mile San Gabriel River Trail on the southern end.

Water Quality

The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board regulates the Coyote Creek Watershed to ensure water quality is protected and in accordance with the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (or MS4) Permit. Because initial monitoring in the early 2000s showed Coyote Creek exceeded acceptable levels of copper, lead, and zinc, wet weather total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) were established to help protect marine ecosystems. A dry weather copper TMDL was also established to protect the downstream estuary for Coyote Creek. High levels of these metals are dangerous to aquatic life, water quality, and the entire watershed. H₂OC is committed to reducing metal levels in Coyote Creek and continuing the progress we’ve made over the last two decades through source control activities.

In 2010, the County of Orange and Coyote Creek Watershed cities developed a Source Control Plan (SCP) to identify potential sources of metals in the watershed and increase water quality monitoring for metals in Coyote Creek. This plan noted that one of the most significant sources of copper in urban watersheds was contained in vehicle brake pads. Legislation was signed into law on September 27, 2010 with the order to phase out copper in brake pads almost entirely by 2025. Due to true source control, like removing copper from brake pads, and routine best management practices (BMPs) such as street sweeping and catch basin cleaning, copper loading during dry weather has decreased, along with wet weather lead and zinc levels.

The County of Orange, on behalf of the Orange County segment of Coyote Creek, also cooperates with LA County cities by participating in the watershed-wide San Gabriel River Regional Monitoring Program. Since 2005, H₂OC has provided sample collection and analysis for up to five sites in Orange County’s portion of the watershed.

Protecting the Coyote Creek Watershed

Here are some things you can do to help the Coyote Creek Watershed thrive:

Reduce Runoff & Help Reduce Potential Sources of Metals

• Replace your worn-out brake pads with copper-free brake pads.
• Wash your car at a commercial car wash instead of in your driveway.
• Keep scrap parts or other used metals indoors or stored under cover.
• Reduce runoff by regularly checking for leaks and aligning sprinkler heads.
• Use non-copper anti-fouling paint on the hull of your ship or boat.

Properly Dispose of Toxic Materials (like Household Hazardous Waste)

• Motor oil, batteries, and paint should be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center (HHWCC) for proper disposal. For a complete list of items that must be disposed of at a HHWCC, click here.
• To find a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center near you,click here.

Minimize the Use of Pesticides

• Use non-pesticide techniques to combat pests whenever possible, such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM includes using beneficial insects, trapping (such as bait stations), weeding, and other techniques to control pests.
• Avoid using pesticides if possible.
• Do not apply pesticides within 48 hours of predicted rain.
• If you must apply pesticides, only do so during dry conditions with little wind, use the least amount of product possible, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

More Ways to Appreciate Orange County’s Watersheds

There are many ways to get involved in your community and appreciate your local watershed:

• Explore your watershed and report water pollution. Explore Orange County’s creeks, trails, and coastline and make observations about water quality conditions. If you see anything abnormal (such as high numbers of dead fish or fowl, oil spills, leaking barrels, or other signs of pollution), visit our Report Pollution page to report the problem.
• Connect with area watershed organizations through local events. Join H₂OC, other organizations, and your neighbors who are working to protect and restore our creeks, rivers, bays, and ocean. Find events in your area.
• Spread the word. To protect our waterways, share your knowledge about preventing water pollution and encourage others to do the same. You can even involve your kids in learning about watersheds and pollution prevention through our kids’ Watershed Activity Workbook. 
• Learn more. For more information on watersheds, view our What is a Watershed? page and our Tips for Protecting Your Watershed brochure.