The Santa Margarita River is the single largest and finest example of a riparian river and estuary system in southern California. The minimally disturbed physical features of the river’s main stem and estuary make a diversity of habitats and abundance of wildlife possible in the otherwise heavily developed coastal region. Stakeholders have formed a Water Quality Monitoring Group under the leadership of the Bureau of Reclamation to coordinate water quality monitoring programs and serve as a clearinghouse for data. The Group interacts with an Executive Management Team, a Stakeholder Advisory Committee, a taskforce recently established to conduct monitoring pursuant to development of total maximum daily loads (TMDL) for nutrients, as well as researchers and consultants.

Results/Conclusions

This presentation examines the work of the Santa Margarita River Water Quality Monitoring Group, focusing on ongoing monitoring programs and accomplishments to date. Monitoring includes hydrology, water chemistry, benthic fauna and flora, and geomorphic features. The poster considers potential uses of the data and studies, including mechanisms for supporting regulatory compliance and natural resource management.