ABSTRACT

Southern California is often synonymous with a large and growing population. But what also comes along with a growing population is a growing need for water. Because most of Southern California is classified as either a desert or a semi desert, water issues are always at the top of the priorities list. One of the major watersheds of the region is the Santa Ana River, a river with a watershed comprising of significant portions Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties along with a very small part of Los Angeles County. This totals to about 4.8 million people, which is expected to double within the next forty years or so. Due to the large and increasing water demands of the region, government water agencies have tailored the Santa Ana River to supplement the water needs. Some of the manicured elements of the river include channelizing the lower half of the river, constructing 2 major dams upstream, and creating dikes to slow the current to promote groundwater recharge. As with any other project where people attempt to manipulate the natural environment for their own gain, there are negative consequences. However, in this case, we feel that the gains from this manipulation in the form of increased water supplies outweigh the footprint that people have put on the river and its surroundings.