The Sierra Foothills are being studied

Three grants have been received in the local Sierra Foothills – nearly $1,200,000.00 to study our foothill watersheds. These studies have already begun. For two years – from January 2008 to December 2009 the local watersheds will be studied for things like water quality and quantity, vegetation management, the socio-economic influence of the watershed, and other aspects of the watershed. Each organization has received the amount (or close to) $400,000.00 from the Department of Water Resources to complete their specified watershed study. Below is information in regards to the three watershed studies; if you would like to assist in anyway or get more information, please refer to the contact information given.

Upper Fresno River Watershed Assessment

Purpose:
The purpose of this project is to consolidate the information that already exists on the watershed and make it usable to researchers, planners, and community residents. The existing information will be supplemented with field-based studies on water quality, vegetation, and invasive weeds. Researchers will particularly look at the watershed impacts of failing septic systems, erosion, and storm events. Watershed information will be made available on a user-friendly watershed portal that will include information about individual community watersheds throughout the area. Community education and citizen monitoring programs for invasive species and other issues will be developed. With the information from this assessment, we can move forward into planning and management to preserve and enhance the watershed.

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Fresno River Watershed

Upper San Joaquin River Watershed Assessment

Purpose:
The project purpose is to establish a collaboration and clearing house of information through the Stewardship Council of various organizations and agencies that are involved in some form of watershed activity within the geographical range of the Upper San Joaquin River basin.  Over a two-year period, the Council would build a number of significant interrelated programs that consist of the following: 1) Council formation; 2) Formation of a team to conduct a Watershed Assessment based upon existing information; 3) Identification of existing/planned monitoring and restoration activities; 4) Gap analysis; 5) Education and outreach; 6) Identification of existing/planned monitoring and restoration activities; 7)Conduct study of watershed conditions; 8) Assessment & Protection and Enhancement Plan publication.

Upper Chowchilla River/Mariposa County Watershed Assessment

The Mariposa County Watershed Assessment is for the entire County of Mariposa.  This would include three watersheds:  Upper Chowchilla River, Upper Merced River, and the Mariposa Streams Group (Mariposa Creek, Deadman Creek, Dutchman Creek, Owens Creek, Bear Creek, and Burns Creek)

Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to identify key watershed values and issues of concern – environmental, social, and economic – and the social and economic conditions that need to be supported or changed in order to effectively protect those values and address those concerns. With this information, we will identify the social and economic conditions of concern and social and economic changes desired to achieve watershed management goals – which are the things that should be monitored.

For more information on how you can get involved in your watershed, please contact Jeannie Habben at 559-642-3263 or .

This watershed project is being funded with a grant from the California Department of Conservation. The above statements are informative only and are not necessarily those of the DOC or its employees.

Chowchilla/Fresno Rivers Watershed
Chowchilla Red Top Resource Conservation District

Who and How to Contact for More Information:

Project Title: Upper San Joaquin River Stewardship Council/Watershed Assessment Program
www.usjrwatershed.org

Project Title: Upper Fresno River Watershed Assessment
www.fresnoriver.org

Project Title: Valuing Watersheds: Mariposa County Process and Perception in CALFED Waters A Case Example: Mariposa County (Mariposa Watershed Assessment)

What is a watershed?

A watershed is the "area of land" where all of the water that is under it or drains off of it goes into a common waterway, such as a stream, lake, estuary, wetland, or ultimately the ocean. Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes; and cross county, state, and national boundaries.

Why are we interested in watersheds and why are they important?

No matter where you are or live, you are in a watershed, and our individual actions can directly affect it. If your septic system is faulty it can affect your well and even your neighbor’s well (drinking water). If you inadvertently plant invasive weeds in your garden or don’t clear noxious/invasive weeds from your property, they can spread to adjacent wild lands and can compete with the native plants for water. If fire breaks are not created or dead trees not removed this could create a fire hazard which then in turn uses up our water to try and stop the fire. If a flood should occur, eroding stream & river banks can impact your water quality. These are just a few ways our watershed can be affected. Since, watersheds do not follow town, county, state, and national boundaries we need to work together to guarantee future generations clean and useable drinking water. What happens in one area does have a positive or a negative effect on an entire watershed. What we do individually and as a whole watershed community makes a difference in your watershed everyday.

What does the Watershed Coordinator do?

A Watershed Coordinator offers assistance to citizens interested in the voluntary approach to watershed management and conservation. This is done through engaging stakeholders in the watershed and developing committed support for watershed protection and restoration from landowners, local government, state and federal agencies and the local community organizations. The Watershed Coordinator focuses on collecting area information and providing education regarding water conservation, noxious weed eradication, ground water, and fuel reduction through a Watershed Council. This voluntary Watershed Council will be made up of volunteers, community stakeholders, and other interested citizens. The Watershed Council will develop the priorities of each watershed as well as provide local assistance through workshops, a web site, and educational materials for this voluntary approach to watershed management and conservation.