Research Areas > Regional Monitoring > Watershed Regional Monitoring

Research Area: Watershed Regional Monitoring

Approximately 18 major coastal watersheds supply vital aquatic resources to arid southern California. These watersheds drain to streams and rivers that serve a variety of beneficial uses, including drinking-water supply, wildlife habitat, irrigation, and recreation. Because of population growth and land development, these streams have become severely burdened by human pressures. Still, a balance must be maintained so that these ecosystems remain intact and continue to provide habitat for aquatic life.

SCCWRP Research

Accurately gauging the health of streams is an essential step in ensuring that they are able to meet their designated uses, including maintenance of biological integrity. SCCWRP is involved two types of projects to develop watershed-assessment methods for streams and rivers in southern California. First, SCCWRP helps design monitoring plans, coordinate stakeholders, and analyze data for numerous programs, including state-wide programs and those that focus on single watersheds. Second, SCCWRP conducts studies to develop and evaluate assessment tools, including the development of bioassessment tools.

Watershed regional monitoring project groups include:

• Regional Watershed Assessments
• Stream Bioassessment Tool Development