Watershed Appreciation – Get To Know The San Clemente Coastal Streams Watershed

From San Clemente, to Cleveland National Forest, to Seal Beach, all of Orange County is located in a watershed.

This highlight on the San Clemente Coastal Streams Watershed is the eleventh and final blog in a series that celebrates the wonders of Orange County’s watersheds. If you’re new to the concept of watershed appreciation, our What is A Watershed? page is a great place to get started!  Learn more and find out which watershed you live in by visiting our interactive map. Our watersheds are one of our most prized assets. Protecting them keeps our community safe and helps OC flourish. 

Rainwater is a critical resource for our communities, which is why it’s important for all of us to keep it clean. Simple actions like picking up after your dog, practicing stormwater-safe alternatives to pesticides, and throwing away trash in a closed bin can have a big impact. By doing your part to prevent pollutants from entering the storm drain system and flowing untreated into our waterways, you can help keep our local water bodies healthy.

From unique features and recreational opportunities to pollution prevention and stormwater resources, let’s get to know the San Clemente Coastal Streams Watershed.

WONDERS OF THE SAN CLEMENTE COASTAL STREAMS WATERSHED

Unique Features

The San Clemente Coastal Streams Watershed covers over 18 square miles and drains all or part of the cities of San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and Dana Point, as well as unincorporated areas of Orange County, with San Clemente representing over 90% of the land area. This watershed has two main streams. The first stream, Prima Deshecha Canada, begins in northeast San Juan Capistrano and discharges into the Pacific Ocean at Poche Beach. The second stream, Segunda Deshecha Canada, begins in San Clemente’s northern hills and flows to the Pacific Ocean at North Beach. This watershed is almost fully developed, which makes preventing runoff pollution especially important for residents.

Wildlife & Plants

This watershed is thriving with plant and animal life! While camping at San Clemente State Beach or sunbathing at Capistrano Beach Park, you might see a gray fox, great horned owl, or gopher snake. The San Clemente Coastal Streams Watershed hosts ample plant life too, like scarlet pimpernel, prickly pear cactus, and mariposa lily. Despite its size, several fascinating plant and animal species enjoy calling this small watershed home. 

Recreation

Beach and parkgoers alike appreciate the many opportunities for recreation in the San Clemente Coastal Streams Watershed. Popular activities include hiking, snorkeling, fishing, camping, biking, surfing, sunbathing, and playing sports. Both visitors and locals can enjoy this watershed’s recreational areas, including:

• Capistrano Beach Park  – A serene ocean view! Go for a swim in the water, sunbathe on a beach towel, or go fishing (with a permit if you’re 16 years or older) at this OC beach. Between June 15 – September 10, dogs are only allowed before 9:00 A.M. and after 6:00 P.M., so make sure to keep them on a leash after these hours and pick up after them. This beach has a scenic backdrop, so make sure to take some pictures of the delightful bluffs! 

• Linda Lane Park Beach – Fun for the whole family! This city-run delight has a kids play area, picnic tables, and beach volleyball court to enjoy. Make sure to bring your surfboard too and catch some gnarly waves, or enjoy an ocean swim in the water! Feel free to bring your leashed dogs to the grassy areas, but they must stay off the sand and you are required to pick up after them. This park is near train tracks too, so count how many trains go by during your fun in the sun!

• San Clemente Municipal Golf Course – Fore! This city-run and family-friendly 18-hole golf course is a popular spot for local golfers. Enjoy a tranquil day as you gander at ocean views from several holes. Online and walk-up paid reservations are available for all on a first-come, first-served basis. San Clemente residents can also purchase an annual resident membership discount card for $60 (with proof of current residency). Grab your clubs because this public course is a hole-in-one!

• San Clemente Municipal Pier – A bustling extension of downtown! Explore the plentiful restaurants or admire all of San Clemente from the 1,296 ft long wooden pier. Even though you must leave your canine companions at home, you can still fish (with a license if you’re over 16 years old), surf, or sunbathe on the sand. Here, you’ll discover why they call San Clemente the “Spanish Village by the Sea.”

• San Clemente State Beach – A SoCal hotspot since 1937! Explore trails through scenic ravines, catch some waves, or go snorkeling! Is camping more your style? There are 160 camp sites and 72 RV spots equipped with a fire ring, picnic table, water faucets, and electric and water hookups nearby. Fishing is allowed, but a license is required for all anglers 16 years and older. Leashed dogs can join the fun, but you must pick up after them and they cannot go on the beach or trails. 

• San Gorgonio Park –This neighborhood park is a slam dunk with its lighted basketball courts, a baseball/softball field, a soccer field, and tennis courts. It also boasts a jogging loop, picnic tables, barbecues, and a children’s play area that the whole family can enjoy. Your canine friends are welcome if they are leashed, kept away from the ball fields and playground, and you pick up after them. Don’t forget your ball, glove, or tennis racket!

• Vista Hermosa Sports Park – Let’s go swimming! This sports park has an aquatics center, sports fields, and a universally-accessible playground. Your furry companion can join and roam through the grassy areas and jogging trails, but they must be leashed, and you are required to pick up after them. If you enjoy being active, this is the park for you!

Water Quality

The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board regulates the San Clemente Coastal Streams Watershed through Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (or MS4) Permit to keep our waterways healthy. Because most of this watershed is developed and encompasses all or part of 3 cities, urban runoff has historically been a source of bacteria, nutrients, and metals. However, public outreach and the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) have been important in decreasing pollutant levels tremendously over the last 20 years.

Poche Beach Ultraviolet (UV) Treatment Project

The County’s UV filtration system is an important part of protecting water quality at Poche Beach! This system filters water flowing through the Prima Deshecha Canada flood-control channel using UV rays to remove bacteria before it flows to the ocean. Since its implementation, water quality at Poche Beach has dramatically improved. 

Caring for this watershed is important no matter where you are, inland or by the ocean. We are so proud to be the San Clemente Coastal Streams Watershed’s most committed protector. Read more below to learn about how you can join the effort too!

Protecting the San Clemente Coastal Streams Watershed

Here are some ways you can help the San Clemente Coastal Streams Watershed thrive:

Properly Dispose of Animal Waste

• Bring dog waste bags with you. 
• Pick up dog waste immediately.
• Tie dog waste bag shut and place in a covered trash can. 

Reduce Potential Sources of Metals

• Replace your worn-out brake pads with ones that are copper-free.
• Inspect your vehicle frequently to make sure there are no oil leaks.
• 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.
• Use non-copper anti-fouling paint on the hull of your boat.

Prevent Littering

• Close the lids on any open garbage cans.
• Throw away all trash in a closed bin.
• Place all cigarette butts in a closed bin.
• Recycle and reuse materials whenever possible.

Minimize the Use of Pesticides

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

More Ways to Appreciate Orange County’s Watersheds

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

• Explore your watershed and report water pollution. While you’re visiting Orange County’s creeks, trails, and coastline, make observations about water quality conditions. If you see anything abnormal (such as high numbers of dead fish or fowl, overwatering, trash in the gutter, or other signs of pollution), report it by visiting our Report Pollution page. 
• 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. Check out our calendar to 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 Stormwater 101 for Students page.
• Follow us on social media. We love sharing pollution prevention tips on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Follow us to ensure you don’t miss any! 
• Learn more. Thirsty for more stormwater knowledge? Visit our What is a Watershed?  and Runoff 101 pages.