History of Successful Cooperation
Carlsbad Watershed Management Plan
Invasives Removal Project
Interactive Map
- (Go to Map)
Watershed Stewards
North County Stormwater Management Programs
Agua Hedionda Watershed Management Plan NEW
Research: Compensatory Mitigation Measures
Other Projects
History of Successful Cooperation
The Carlsbad Watershed Network (CWN), a watershed working group, has demonstrated its ability to work together for the benefit of the Carlsbad Hydrologic Unit (CHU). It recognizes the importance of its network members, collaborators and advisors in accomplishing its vision. The CWN acknowledges the importance of each organization's identities and embraces the diversity of perspectives, abilities, projects and programs as a necessary factor in creating viable solutions for complex watershed issues.
CWN in its efforts to realize the vision for the CHU strives to support the success and growth of its members and collaborating organizations.
Since the CWN is not a formal non-profit entity, the projects that follow are projects written by different organizations to support the vision, mission, goals and objectives of the CWMP. Due in large part to a true spirit of cooperation and coordination, the CWN has successfully implemented or initiated the following projects:
- Fliers illustrating the most common invasives plant in the CHU were developed by the CWN Outreach Education Committee in 1999. The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation applied for funds from the City of Carlsbad Community Activity Grant.
- Three thousand feet of demonstration trail was established at the Hosp Grove area, funded by the California Coastal Conservancy through the Buena Vista Lagoon Foundation. (April 2000)
- The Carlsbad Watershed Management Plan was completed with funds granted by the State Water Quality Control Board from Clean Water Act 205(j)funds. The RCDGSD applied and was granted funds for the project. They also served as the fiscal and project manager for the plan.
- A watershed coordinator position for the CWN, and a citizen monitoring training program for teacher, and a high school mentor training in water quality assessment was funded by the USEPA. The UCNRS was the applicant and fiscal agent. (Oct. 2002.)
- Residents, and stakeholders of the CHU participated in citizen water quality monitoring training, called the Watershed Stewards Training (WST). The program was funded by the City of Carlsbad Community Activity Grant to the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation. The Foundation with UCNRS collaborated to deliver the training on an expanded schedule and free of charge. The efforts were targeted to support the development of citizen monitoring groups for each of the watershed in the CHU. (Dec. 2002)
- San Diego Foundation funds the WST for another year of trainings and citizen monitoring group development in the CHU. This grant was acquired by the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation. (July 2004)
- The State of CA, with Prop 13 funds, granted $3.96 Million for the Dr. Alan Thum Invasives Removal Project in the Riparian Zones. Dr. Thum, a CWN participant crafted the preproposal for this grant prior to his untimely death on May 14, 2003. The San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy applied for and is the recipient and fiscal agent for this project. (June 2004)
For more details see History of CWN.
Interactive Map
The Interactive Invasives Map can help you learn about the level of invasive plants that are found in the Carlsbad Hydrologic Unit and its various watersheds.
The easy to use map, built on the Google Map application platform, can tell you what invasives are found, where they are found, which sites the project has identified and removed, which ones are targeted for removal, and those sites identified but not yet targeted or are not a part of the project and identified by citizen stewards.
The Interactive Invasives Map includes a Invasive Reporting Form that anyone can use to report additional invasives and invasive removal efforts.
Now anyone can browse for information on invasive removal efforts in the CHU, use the information for presentations that increase awareness of invasive control efforts, and add new invasive plant sitings and community removal efforts.
Another view of the watershed can be found via the Solid Terrain Model©, 3-D relief map on display at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center.
Watershed Management Plan
The Carlsbad Watershed Management Plan (CWMP) was completed with funds granted by the State Water Quality Control Board from Clean Water Act 205(j)funds. See CWMP for a full summary, a description of its major sections, and a listing of informational resources contained in the CWMP.
Invasives Removal Project:
The Dr. Alan Thum Invasives Removal Project, targeting the most heavily infected stream and watersheds of the Carlsbad Hydrologic Unit, is funded by a State of California Prop 13 grant to remove the most threatening invasive plant species (i.e. arundo, tamarix, pampas grass, and palms) from over 250 acres of the CHU.
This project proposes a major effort to remove the predominant species of invasive plants and to restore native vegetation in these watersheds as an essential step in reestablishing the hydrologic and ecological functions of these riparian and coastal wetland habitats.
For more information on invasives and invasive removal:- Go to Invasives Page for a more detailed look at the invasive problem in the CHU.
- See an expanded list of invasive plants causing problems in the CHU. .
- Print the brochures on the most problematic invasives in our watersheds.
- Read the Union-Tribune article on the Invasive Removal Project.
- Learn about the full removal and scientific scope of the Invasives Removal Grant
Watershed Stewards
Funded by the San Diego Foundation, the Watershed Stewards Program trains citizens to take water quality samples for expert analysis. This program helps local cities and agencies acquire more and accurate data regarding stream quality.
You can participate in monitoring stream quality in conjunction with San Diego Stream Team upon completion of the Stewards Training.
North County Storm Water Program
The North County Storm Water Program consists of the North County Cities in the Carlsbad Watershed (CHU) and the County working together to reduce the amount of pollution in our creeks, lagoons and ocean. The Watershed Urban Runoff Management Plan (WURMP) reports the condition of the CHU, the targeted activities, accomplishments and recommendations. Each city also has a Jurdisction Urban Runoff Management Progrm (JURMP) and information on these can be found at their respective websites. See Whom to Contact for links and phone numbers to their respective programs.
Agua Hedionda Watershed Management Plan
The Agua Hedionda WMP is a comprehensive, geographically focused, scientifically-based plan for preserving, restoring, and enhancing watershed functions and minimizing future degradation of the Agua Hedionda Watershed. The plan was developed with input from local and state governments, federal agencies, environmental organizations, and local citizens who working together as the Watershed, Planning Group (WPG) established goals and objectives and oversaw the process of developing the Agua Hedionda WMP. See final Agua Hedionda WMP or find out more the Agua Hedionda Watershed.
Research
"Case Study: Systemic Evaluation of Compensatory Mitigation Sites Within the Carlsbad Hydrologic Unit" by Nicholas R. Magliocca, UCSD
In this four month on-site Systemic Evaluation of Compensatory Mitigation Sites with the Carlsbad Hydrologic Unit, Nicholas R. Magliocca from UCSD's Environmental Systems, Ecology, Behaviour, and Evolution program performed a systemic qualitative bio-assessement of each compensatory mitigation site. Each site was given a "score" based on the site's internal and external health. The lack of a distinct regulatory mechanism was identified as the a key root cause driver. In this case study, Mr. Magliocca identifies information transfer and feedback loop break-downs and he makes recommendations to close feedback loops and lags in the regulatory process, and foster collaboration, unbiased information transfer in an effort to create an evolving regulation system. Download Case Study PDF
This is the first formal academic study sponsored by CWN and its members. Special thanks to the UCSD Natural Reserve System and to Isabelle Kay who provided critical support, guidance and direction.
Other projects currently under development include:- Land acquisition program to preserve remaining riparian and wetland acreage such as the effort to purchase 134 acre Sherman Property to preserve the Buena Vista Creek.
- An effort to reduce I-5 Expansion impact on wetlands
- Not In My Back Yard: (NIIMBY) An outreach and education effort to promote removal of invasive plants by individual property owners on their property.
