Streambed bioremediation
What if I told you that you can walk along an ancient rock bed from over 225 million years ago?
Our canyons and the streambeds have been forming for hundreds of millions of years. However, it is not just the earth that plays a role in shaping the environment.
Due to human impacts, we are seeing rapid erosion in our urban canyons, caused in part by the sewer systems established at the bases of our canyon, and stormwater runoff. This can threaten wildlife, urban development, and lead to the loss of land.
Using best practices and proven ecological knowledge, Canyonlands is excited to continue our efforts to restore our urban canyons. Streambed bioremediation means using natural materials to depollute, and can include geoengineering.
List positive impacts and maybe link a success story (thats scientific and proven with good research).
Exposed streambed in Manzanita Canyon, 2023
Our Local Watershed
Chollas Creek Watershed Map (City of San Diego)
Although our urban canyons are not situated directly on major rivers, our canyons do play a critical role in housing ephemeral streams that recharge groundwater reservoirs and filter runoff before it reaches the ocean. Ephemeral streams flow through the canyons’ streambeds during and shortly after rain, and the funneling of stormwater into our canyons can make these streams flow strongly.
Take a look at the map. The green spaces below the heading ‘Mid-City: City Heights’ are our urban canyons.
How you Can help
Oil and pollutants entering waterways. Photo courtesy of Insauga Local News.
We all play a part in protecting our environment. While root causes of erosion lay in structural planning, taking individual action can help our environment become more resilient.
Lawn and driveway care:
Avoid washing your car or allowing contaminated runoff to enter storm drains
If using pesticides or herbicides, opt for eco-friendly options, and avoid spraying on windy or rainy days.
Opt for a native plant garden! Grass lawns require significant amounts of water and provide little to no habitat for our urban wildlife.
Trail etiquette:
Stay on the trail! Traveling off the trail or on ‘social trails’ can lead to further erosion and environmental degradation.
Avoid hiking following the rain. Muddy trails pose a fall hazard to hikers, and can erode quickly.
(runoff, driveway care, lawn care, trail etiquette, etc.)
Erosion Control projects
Erosion leads to the loss of land and creation of ditches and gullies, taking away precious habitat from our plants and animals. At San Diego Canyonlands, we manage erosion in our canyon environments by securing slopes and supporting healthy streambeds.
Mission Hills (…)
The canyon consists of 141 acres owned by the City of San Diego.
San Diego Canyonlands, in partnership with the City of San Diego and the San Diego River Conservancy, restored 7.2 acres of wetland/riparian and upland habitats in the canyon.
Restoration efforts started with the removal of:
Approximately 557 mature, invasive, and non-native Mexican fan palms (Washingtonia robusta).
43 similarly invasive Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis).
In conjunction with West Coast Arborists, we utilized helicopters and trucks to transport the palms off site.
Following the removal of these high-fire risk and ecologically harmful species, we planted native species, including
Mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia) cuttings
Willow (Salix spp.) cuttings