Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District Watershed Restoration Program

The Watershed Restoration Program initially began in 1991 and is a cooperative partnership between the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District and the U.S. Forest Service to protect and maintain the local watershed.

Why is this Program Important?
Fires, mudslides and the encroachment of non-native vegetation have caused accelerated erosion, which in turn, causes siltation of the canyon reservoirs and streambeds. Siltation reduces the water conservation and storage capacity of the reservoirs as well as the percolation capacity of streambeds and spreading grounds. Heavy recreational use has also had a negative impact on the local habitat by causing a reduction in the riparian vegetation which in turn has caused the destabilization of the river bank resulting in increased soil runoff directly into the river with subsequent siltation problems down-stream.

By replanting local areas with native vegetation, soils will not erode so quickly which will allow rain and other precipitation to percolate into the ground and make its way into our local aquifer. The vegetation will also help alleviate siltation that causes increased blockage of waterways and filtration systems.

Native Vegetation Project
Several times a year, volunteers of all ages are invited to take part in collecting seeds and/or re-planting germinated seeds in local watershed areas. The collection, germination and planting of such native vegetation helps to stabilize slopes and overlying soil for erosion control and mitigation of siltation. Such planting also allows a larger amount of precipitation to percolate into the ground and aids in the restoration of the natural habitat. Since its inception, over 65,000 trees have been planted through this program.

Interpretive Signage Project
Interpretive signs have been developed that discuss the function and importance of our local watershed as well as the historical background of the local dams and the San Gabriel River. Two signs can be found at rest stops along Highway 39 and a third sign is located at a rest stop along the East Fork Road, just a short distance off of Highway 39.

The Watershed Restoration Nursery
The watershed restoration nursery includes a green house and potting shed that have been established at the Mt. Baldy Visitors Center. This nursery enables seeds to be stored and native vegetation to be germinated in an environment protected from the elements of weather, plant diseases and local animals that forage on such vegetation. Such protection means a greater amount of plants and seeds readily available for re-planting areas devastated by fires and other disasters.