Watershed Appreciation – Get To Know The San Juan Creek Watershed

From the scenic Santa Ana Mountains, to the spectacular coastline, to your local neighborhood park, all of Orange County is located in a watershed.

This highlight on the San Juan Creek Watershed is the tenth in a series of blogs that 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!  Learn more and find out which watershed you live in by visiting our interactive map.

As OC residents, it’s vital for us to protect our watersheds. Rainwater is a terrific resource, which is why we should all do our part to protect it. Quick and easy actions like picking up after your dog, practicing stormwater safe alternatives to pesticides, and throwing away trash in a closed bin help prevent pollutants from flowing with rainwater untreated through storm drains into our local creeks, rivers, and the ocean. 

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

WONDERS OF THE SAN JUAN CREEK WATERSHED

Unique Features

The San Juan Creek Watershed covers over 125 square miles and runs through 6 cities in OC (Dana Point, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, and San Juan Capistrano), and includes unincorporated areas of the county as well. San Juan Creek, the largest body of water in the watershed, begins in the Santa Ana Mountains and flows 29 miles to the Pacific Ocean at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point. Trabuco Creek, Oso Creek, and Bell Creek are tributaries to this watershed. Only 40% of this watershed is developed, which allows inland ecosystems to flourish. 

Wildlife & Plants

Many plant and animal species live in the San Juan Creek Watershed. During your adventures exploring Caspers Wilderness Park, O’Neill Regional Park, or Riley Wilderness Park, you might see a red-tailed hawk, mule deer, or western fence lizard. This watershed hosts plentiful plant life too, like coast morning glory, white horehound, or California poppy. From the coast to the Santa Ana Mountains, captivating plant and animal species love to call this watershed home.

Recreation

The San Juan Creek Watershed is an outdoor-lover’s paradise! Enjoy a wide array of outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking, camping, biking, surfing, sunbathing, ball sports, and bird watching. Both visitors and locals can enjoy this watershed’s recreational areas, including:

• Doheny State Beach – One of California’s most popular beaches! The northern section of Doheny offers excellent surfing conditions, a 5-acre lawn, picnic facilities, and volleyball courts. The southern section features campgrounds just steps away from the beach, tide pools, a visitor center, and aquariums.  Leashed dogs can join in the fun too, but you must pick up after them. Come and see for yourself why this beach attracts nearly 1 million visitors annually!

• Florence Joyner Olympiad Park – Fun in the sun! This 19-acre Mission Viejo park, named after 100m and 200m world record holder Florence Joyner, has 1 baseball field, 2 soccer/football fields, and playgrounds for children 2-12 years old. There are also 25 picnic tables, 4 barbeques, and a trail to venture out on. Your furry friends are allowed, but they must be leashed and you’re required to pick up after them. Honor Flo-Jo by going for a run here (or at least a brisk walk)!

• Linda Vista Park – Bring the whole family! This 3.3-acre neighborhood park offers playgrounds for children aged 2-12, 4 picnic tables, and a walking trail. Explore, play, and spend time with your loved ones in this charming park. Canine companions can join you if they remain leashed and you pick up their waste. Don’t forget your walking shoes!

• Cleveland National Forest – US Forest Service – A serious hiker’s delight! Explore the headwater areas of the watershed in the Santa Ana Mountains – there are a lot of great trails for the avid hiker that range in difficulty. Most hikes in the national forest area are more remote and can be very challenging, so please make sure to research trailheads, road conditions, and permit requirements in advance. San Juan Trail, for example, is a challenging 11.6-mile one-way trail (19.4 miles roundtrip) in Cleveland National Forest that includes 3,500 feet of elevation gain, ample room for mountain bikers, and stunning views at the top. A $5 Forest Adventure Pass is required, which can be purchased online. Also, your canine friends are allowed, as long as you pick up after them and they stay leashed. However, please consider if this hike is too strenuous for your pet before bringing them along. Remember to bring plenty of water as you revel in this remote and quiet wilderness!

• O’Neill Regional Park – The wilderness awaits! This 4,500-acre and heavily wooded park has a plethora of live oak and sycamore trees with hillsides filled with cacti, wild buckwheat, and mountain mahogany. Seek out 23 miles of trails with gorgeous views and wildlife on foot, bicycle, or horseback. You can also camp overnight with 79 campsites of varying sizes which can accommodate RVs or tent camping for up to 8 people per site. Your dogs can join you in a campground and on paved trails as long as they remain on a leash and you pick up after them. But, they are not allowed in the wilderness areas. Stop by during winter or early spring to catch a glimpse of the seasonal Trabuco and Hickey Creeks. 

• Oso Viejo Community Park – A community oasis! Whip out those cleats and play on 4 softball fields, 6 soccer/football fields, and a horseshoe pit. The remaining areas of this 52-acre park includes 6 picnic tables and 4 barbeques to spend time with family or friends. There is also the 5.5-mile Oso Creek trail (which runs along the small Oso Creek) that contains over 130,000 plants planted by volunteers and inspiring artwork throughout. Your cute dog companions are allowed, but they must be leashed at all times and you’re required to pick up after them. You can always come back if you can’t fit everything into one visit!

• Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park – Not your typical family neighborhood park. Enjoy this massive 8,000-acre protected wilderness preserve which lies in the river terraces and sandstone canyons of the western Santa Ana Mountains! Admire seasonal wildflowers, running streams, California sycamore and oak trees, and abundant wildlife throughout. Horses, mountain bikers, campers, and RVs are all welcome here, but please leave your dogs at home. And since this entire park used to be covered by the Pacific Ocean, keep your eyes peeled for marine fossils! 

• Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park – A wildlife sanctuary! Venture out on foot, bike, or horseback and discover this 544-acre wilderness park. Groves of western sycamores and live oaks line the trails and border the park’s two seasonally flowing creeks, and the remainder of the land showcases canyons of coastal sage scrub and grasslands. Experience the richness of this sanctuary by taking a self-guided hike or learn something new during one of many ranger-led programs. Even though dogs aren’t allowed, you can bring the rest of the family to enjoy a nature-filled day. Check out the Horned Toad and Skink Vista lookouts for gorgeous views of the southern peaks of the Santa Ana Mountains!

Water Quality

The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board regulates the San Juan Creek Watershed through Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (or MS4) Permit standards to keep our waterways healthy. Since this watershed is significantly urban and encompasses 6 cities, urban runoff has historically been the source of bacteria, trash, nutrients, sediment, and metals. However, public outreach and the implementation of best management practices (BMPs), including ecosystem restoration and infrastructure retrofit projects, have been important in decreasing pollutant levels tremendously over the last 20 years.

Restoration Projects

Restoration projects reestablish natural processes that treat runoff and allow native species to thrive. Several locations in the San Juan Creek Watershed have undergone restoration projects, including:  

• Ambuehl Elementary School (City of San Juan Capistrano)
• Trabuco Creek at Oso Parkway (City of Mission Viejo)
• Robinson Ranch (City of Rancho Santa Margarita)

Retrofit Projects

Retrofit projects help protect water quality by diverting dry weather flow to the sanitary sewer system and removing pollutants like trash from runoff in storm drains. Places in the San Juan Creek Watershed where retrofit projects have been installed include: 

• Storm drain upgrades throughout the watershed including trash screens and filters 
• Alipaz Storm Drain diversion at San Juan Creek/Doheny State Beach (City of Dana Point)
• Del Obispo diversion at San Juan Creek/Doheny State Beach (City of Dana Point)

These restoration and retrofit projects along with other management actions have significantly decreased pollutant levels resulting in improved water quality conditions.

Protecting the San Juan Creek Watershed is important everywhere in the watershed. H₂OC is committed to being the San Juan Creek Watershed’s strongest protector. Continue reading below to learn about how you can join the effort!

Protecting the San Juan Creek Watershed

Here are some ways you can help the San Juan Creek 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.

Around Your Home

• Check for broken/misaligned sprinklers and fix them immediately.
• Properly dispose of cooking grease by placing it in the trash instead of down the drain.
• Only flush toilet paper down the toilet to prevent backups within your sewer lateral lines.
• Hire a licensed plumber to evaluate your sewer lateral or septic system and determine a maintenance schedule for your property.
• Repair or replace worn-out or damaged laterals as soon as possible.

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. 
• Learn more. Visit our What is a Watershed?  and Runoff 101 pages.