San Diego River Watershed

The San Diego River is a river in San Diego County, California. It originates in the Cuyamaca Mountains northwest of the town of Julian, then flows to the southwest until it reaches the El Capitan Reservoir, the largest reservoir in the river's watershed at 112,800 acre feet (139,100,000 m3).

Below El Capitan Dam, the river runs west through the cities of Santee and San Diego. While passing through Tierrasanta it goes through Mission Trails Regional Park, one of the largest urban parks in America. The river discharges into the Pacific Ocean near the entrance to Mission Bay, forming an estuary.

The San Diego River Watershed is the second largest watershed (440 square miles) in San Diego County and has the greatest population base (approximately 509,000 people). Water resources in the watershed include the San Diego River main stem, numerous tributaries, 22 steams, five water supply reservoirs (El Capitan, San Vicente, Lake Jennings, Lake Murray, and Cuyamaca Reservoirs), a large groundwater aquifer, extensive riparian habitat, coastal wetlands, and tidepools. less ↑