Otay Watershed
From SDCK Watershed Wiki
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The Otay River watershed encompasses approximately 160 square miles in southwest San Diego County and is one of the three hydrologic units that discharge to San Diego Bay. The watershed consists largely of unincorporated area, but also includes portions of the cities of Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Coronado, National City, and San Diego. The predominant land uses in the watershed are open space (67%) and urban/residential (20%). The major inland hydrologic features, Upper and Lower Otay Lakes, are two water supply reservoirs that also provide important habitat and recreational opportunities. Approximately 36 square miles of the watershed is part of the Multiple Species Conservation Plan effort that provides habitat for a wide range of endangered plant and animal species. Other important conservation areas within the watershed include the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, the Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve, and the vernal pool lands in the region.
 | watershed monitoring sites by San Diego Coastkeeper |
 | legacy watershed monitoring sites by San Diego Coastkeeper |
 | beach water monitoring sites by County DEH |
 | beach water monitoring sites by wastewater agencies |
Monitoring Sites
San Diego Coastkeeper currently conducts monthly water quality monitoring at 2 sites in Otay watershed.
The Site codes and their locations are as follows:
OTY-020 : Otay River, Otay Valley Regional Park- Date St.
OTY-025 : Otay River at Quarry
Watershed Information
The Otay River watershed encompasses approximately 160 square miles in southwest San Diego County and is one of the three hydrologic units that discharge to San Diego Bay. The watershed consists largely of unincorporated area, but also includes portions of the cities of Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Coronado, National City, and San Diego. The predominant land uses in the watershed are open space (67%) and urban/ residential (20%). The major inland hydrologic features, Upper and Lower Otay Lakes, are two water supply reservoirs that also provide important habitat and recreational opportunities. Approximately 36 square miles of the watershed is part of the Multiple Species Conservation Plan effort that provides habitat for a wide range of endangered plant and animal species. Other important conservation areas within the watershed include the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, the Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve, and the vernal pool lands in the region.
Hydrologic Areas in Otay Watershed
Hydrologic Unit: 910.10 - 910.37
Hydrologic Areas: Coronado 910.1 ; Otay Valley 910.2 ; Dulzura 910.3
Major Water Bodies: (i)Upper and Lower Otay Reservoirs (ii)Otay River (iii)San Diego Bay
Impaired Water Bodies in Otay Watershed
CWA 303(d) List :
| Waterbody | Pollutant/Stressor |
|---|---|
| Lower Otay Reservoir | Color, Iron, Manganese, Nitrogen, Ammonia, pH(high) |
| San Diego Bay Shoreline, at Glorietta Bay | Copper |
| San Diego Bay Shoreline, at Coronado Cays | Copper |
| San Diego Bay | PCBs(Polychlorinated biphenyls) |
| Pogi Canyon Creek | DDT |
| Pacific Ocean Shoreline(Imperial Beach Pier) | PCBs(Polychlorinated biphenyls) |
Watershed Land Use
Land Use by type
| Type | Share of Watershed |
|---|---|
| Residential | 11.0% |
| Commercial | 7.9% |
| Parks & Open Spaces | 75.0% |
| Golf Course | 0.2% |
| Agriculture | 1.9% |
| Under Construction | 0.1% |
| Industry | 2.7% |
Watershed Captains in Otay Watershed
Tom Bernitt
Watershed Studies and Reports
Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)Report on the Otay Hydrologic Unit - 2007
Otay Watershed Management Plan
Watershed Resources
Videos by HTHMA Students
by Sarah Flores, Raynier Benito, Lauren Bielma, and Ale Sandoval.
