- 1 of the last
- Free-flowing rivers left in Southern California
- ~1,000
- Plant & animal species in the watershed
- Endangered
- Steelhead critical habitat downstream
A rare, protected river system
Temecula Creek is a tributary of the Santa Margarita River — one of the last free-flowing rivers in Southern California and a wildlife corridor between the Santa Ana Mountains and inland San Diego. Its watershed is home to roughly 1,000 plant and animal species and some of California's largest remaining stands of coastal sage scrub. [1]
Its middle reaches are protected as the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve (about 4,334 acres) and a 1,384-acre river trail preserve, and the river is designated critical habitat for the federally endangered Southern California steelhead. [1]
Why construction here is a concern
The project's own construction diagrams show tower footings bored roughly 50 feet deep — below the water table — across the creek. Sedimentation, drilling fluids, and dewatering would put water quality and the streambed at risk, and any crossing of these waters requires a stack of federal and state water permits. [2]
Sources
- [1]Santa Margarita River & Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve — Wikipedia / SDSU Field Station Programs / Western Rivers Conservancy / San Diego RWQCB
- [2]Temecula City Council presentation (SDG&E 'Preliminary Route: Temecula Segment' slide + route map) — City of Temecula