A strong El Niño could send more polluted runoff through Santa Barbara County’s creeks and into the oceans this winter, county officials say.
The likelihood of increased runoff, flooding and coastal erosion is drawing attention to local waterways as the county’s 27th annual Creek Week continues through Saturday, Sept. 26. Its cleanups, tours and educational activities aim to inform residents of the importance of preventative measures, and the steps they can take before winter storms carry litter and pollution downstream.
“I think this year’s El Niño forecasts are contributing to heightened public awareness and concern about our creeks and the challenges associated with managing them within an urbanized landscape,” said Erin Markey, the city of Santa Barbara’s Creeks Division Manager.
Despite the probability of increased runoff, County Public Works spokesperson Lael Wageneck did not identify any changes to this year’s creeks maintenance plan specifically tied to El Niño. He stressed that every year the Flood Control District prepares for intense storms, but also that the county is in fact increasing public outreach ahead of this year’s rainy season.
“Intense storms can and do occur in Santa Barbara County every year, regardless of the seasonal outlook,” Wageneck said.
A strong El Niño could nevertheless increase coastal erosion and stormwater runoff, heightening flooding and pollution risks, he said.
“Increased runoff acts as a conveyor belt – carrying trash, bacteria, oil, grease, lawn chemicals, and sediment into storm drains, creeks, and ultimately, the ocean,” Wageneck said.
Some creeks are particularly vulnerable. Wageneck said those that flow through urban areas with pavement and development allow for pollutants to wash directly into waterways, and identified Mission Creek in Santa Barbara and San Jose Creek in Goleta as examples.
What collects upstream can create problems along the way. Trash and debris can clog storm drains, channels and bridges, obstructing water and contributing to localized flooding, Markey said. Sediment and associated pollutants can also damage habitats and affect aquatic species and other wildlife.
Creek Week began Saturday with Coastal Cleanup Day. Markey said that by holding the cleanup ahead of winter storms, they’re able to help keep litter from reaching the oceans before the first major rains arrive.
Removing trash before those storms can reduce blockages and the initial surge of pollutants entering waterways, Wageneck said.
“Regardless of the rain forecast, there are actions the public can take year-round to reduce pollution and flooding,” he said.
Project Clean Water focuses on education around pollution, monitoring and prevention, while the Flood Control District more so handles issues pertaining to infrastructure maintenance, debris basin clearing and broader flood preparedness, Wageneck said.
As part of its outreach, Project Clean Water is encouraging residents to control erosion and keep household pollutants out of storm drains.
Markey also encouraged residents to look at where water flows from their roofs, driveways and patios. Directing runoff toward planted areas where it can soak into the ground can reduce the volume of water entering the creeks, as well as the pollutants carried with it, she said.
“While creeks play an important role in conveying stormwater through our watersheds and ultimately to the ocean, they are much more than drainage corridors,” Markey said. “They are dynamic, living systems that provide important ecological, environmental, and community benefits.”
Creek Weeks’ remaining events offer residents the opportunity to learn about those systems firsthand.
The city’s Creeks Division will lead an Andree Clark Bird Refuge restoration tour at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23.
A San Jose Creek tour with the Environmental Defense Center, City of Goleta, Old Town Goleta Neighborhood Creek Project and County Flood Control will begin at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at Jonny Wallis Park in Goleta.
Project Clean Water and Explore Ecology will host the “Creek to Coast Curiosity Quest” at Goleta Beach County Park from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25.
The full schedule, including registration requirements, can be found at SBCreekWeek.com.
