RCD of the Santa Monica Mountains has just completed a 2-year volunteer water quality monitoring project funded by a 205j grant. Over 50 volunteers gathered data monthly at ten sites in the Topanga Creek Watershed. The final report documented the overall condition of the watershed and found nutrients and heavy metals were not a problem. The RCD has submitted another 205j grant request to take the study to the next level and synoptically identify bacteria sources, as well as viral pathogens. The streams in this area discharge into the Trinity River just below the dams.
Sediment inputs are a significant reason for the impaired anadromous fisheries conditions.
Bureau of Land Management, who was responsible for the fire, contracted with the RCD to monitor the effects of the fire on water quality in the Trinity River. This project is a three year project with one year remaining. The South Fork is the longest undammed river in California. EPA adopted the sediment TMDL Dec 1998. This is all being done through the South Fork CRMP group.