What is A Watershed?
A watershed is a basin-like landform that collects water whenever it rains or snows. Through gravity, water is channeled into creeks, streams, lakes and eventually drains into Newport Bay and the ocean.
The important thing to remember is that we all live in a watershed and whatever we do to the land affects the quality of all water draining to Newport Bay. Water is a universal solvent and is affected by the land it travels across and the soil that it travels through.
The City of Irvine happens to be in the Newport Bay Watershed, which includes the San Diego Creek (a flood control channel). San Diego Creek is the main tributary that drains into Upper Newport Bay. Smaller tributaries include Serrano Creek, Borrego Canyon Wash, Agua Chinon Wash, Bee Canyon Wash, Peters Canyon Wash, Sand Canyon Wash, Bonita Canyon Creek and the Santa Ana Delhi Channel.
Surf Your Watershed
The Surf Your Watershed section of the EPA website allows you to find information and resources -such as environmental groups involved with the watershed, impaired waterways, data relaying pollution levels, etc.
