Posts

Construction in Mission Trails Regional Park to Improve Infrastructure

/in , , /by /SDNews.com Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

When Mission Trails Regional Park reopens and visitors return, they may notice an increase in construction traffic and activities in and near the western portion of the park as the San Diego County Water Authority improves a portion of its regional water delivery system.

The Water Authority has begun work to construct a new underground reservoir and flow control facility. The facilities are part of the Mission Trails Project, a suite of projects that mostly were completed in late 2010 to improve regional water infrastructure. Completed components include the construction of a pipeline tunnel, demolition of most above-ground vent stacks in the park, and construction of a stabilized crossing at the San Diego River.

The new underground flow regulatory structure, or covered reservoir, will help regulate untreated water flows in the regional water delivery system. It will hold up to 5 million gallons of water. The reservoir will be covered with soil and vegetation, except for several above-ground access hatches and vents that will allow for air movement in and out of the reservoir. A new flow control facility and pipeline interconnections will also be constructed as part of this project. Pre-construction work to prepare the site has already started. The project construction is scheduled to begin in March and end in early 2022.

Construction vehicles will use Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Calle de Vida, Portobelo Drive, and Antigua Boulevard to access work areas in the park. Some trails leading to the site in the western portion of the park will be closed. For instance, the trail that begins at the intersection of Calle de Vida and Colina Dorada Drive will be closed to allow large construction vehicles and traffic to safely pass through the park. Additionally, parking at the eastern end of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard will be limited to accommodate project field offices and equipment staging.

For more information about either project, go to www.sdcwa.org/mission-trails-FRS, call the toll-free project information line at 877-682-9283, ext. 7004, or email .

 

Full Story

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer to Leave More Than $1 billion in Polluted Rivers, Flood Issues to Successor

/in , /by /San Diego Union-Tribuneby Joshua Emerson Smith

Rainstorms routinely flush toxic chemicals, bacteria and even human feces through San Diego’s streets, canyons and rivers — ultimately polluting bays and beaches.

Those same downpours also regularly burst city stormwater pipes and overwhelm clogged waterways, inundating homes and businesses.

Under San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer the city laid out what it would cost to fix the problem — a financial blueprint over two decades for preventing undue flooding and coming into compliance with state mandates under the Clean Water Act.

 

Full Story

24,000 Pounds Of Trash Removed From San Diego River

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Celina Tebor

More than 100 volunteers removed over 24,000 pounds of trash from the San Diego River on Oct. 26, the second largest watershed management area in San Diego County.

The cleanup came from a comprehensive survey of the lower 20.5 miles of the San Diego River to document trash locations. Over 180 trash sites were identified and mapped in the seven-mile section that volunteers cleaned, which stretches from Dog Beach to Mission Valley.

The San Diego River Park Foundation, who organized the cleanup, said the trash along the river is largely the result of homeless encampments, followed by stormwater debris. San Diego doesn’t treat stormwater, which leads to more pollution.

Full Story

Plunging Into San Diego River Days — Even At Creek Behind El Cajon Mall

/in , /by /Times of San Diegoby Ken Stone

San Diego River Days isn’t all about the namesake waterway. It’s also about a creek behind an El Cajon mall. On Saturday, the annual civic celebration kicked off with events including ones at Parkway Plaza — which gave a tributary some TLC. “We’re targeting a project in Forester Creek because in particular it’s very polluted and we see a lot of trash,” said Marina Varano, outreach and engagement coordinator for the San Diego River Park Foundation. When it rains, the waste flows enters the San Diego River, she said, “so we want to engage the community in environmental stewardship.”

Full Story

Hike Highlights Progress Along The San Diego River, A Once-Beleaguered Waterway On The Rise

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Joshua Emerson Smith

Environmental advocates led a hike along the San Diego River in Mission Valley on Sunday morning to build awareness about ongoing efforts to remove invasive species from its banks. The San Diego River Park Foundation hosted the hour-long jaunt, showing off a dramatically improved section of the river located in the 52-acre Mission Valley Preserve. About a dozen folks in wide-brimmed hats and toting water bottles listened as Marina Varano, outreach associate with the foundation, educated the crowd about efforts to restore the riparian habitat.

Full Story