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BACKGROUND Compton Creek is a 42.1 square mile sub-watershed of the Los Angeles River Watershed. Water quality impairments, as listed on the state’s 303(d) list, include copper, lead, pH and coliform bacteria. The watershed is highly urbanized; only 3.3% of the land is open space, parks, agriculture, or vacant. The Compton Creek Watershed is predominantly residential, comprised of small single family homes, multifamily units, and significant areas of commercial and industrial facilities. There are few remaining large open space areas although the wetlands habitat within the earthen-bottom southern portion of the creek channel still remains, albeit in degraded condition. The watershed is park-poor with only 0.6 acres of park per one thousand persons; though they vary, minimum standards for urban park space fall near 4 acres per one thousand persons. The Watershed also contains a large number of small and medium-sized vacant lots. Nonpoint source pollution from urban runoff is one of the most important contributors of pollutants to Compton Creek. The highly urbanized nature of the Compton Creek Watershed indicates that a lack of permeable surfaces may aggravate the nonpoint source pollution problem. Along both the southern, earthen-bottom portion of Compton Creek and the concrete-lined box channel sections to the north, opportunities exist for a green corridor that could include bike paths, walking areas, small pocket parks and stormwater retention areas. The City of Compton and the County of Los Angeles have completed bikeways along 5 miles of the 8.5 mile-long Compton Creek. The City of Compton has also retained Mia Lehrer + Associates to produce a Master plan which will link park space, pathways, and communities to the creek side bikeway within the City of Compton. The concept of a system of green corridors spreading outward into the watershed as a whole may be part of a strategy to improve stormwater retention, wetlands habitat, and public access and awareness. The southern, earthen-bottom portion of Compton Creek contains remnant wetland habitat and adjoins some potential sites for wetland construction. Although invaded by exotic species, the area already supports a fair amount of wildlife. STUDY APPROACH Through a stakeholder process, the Watershed Council and partners have developed a comprehensive Watershed Management Plan for the Compton Creek Watershed. Watershed stakeholders were invited from local, state and federal agencies, community groups, environmental groups, and the general public. Local residents and community groups were invited to participate in a series of five community meetings and workshops. Community meetings were designed to collect public opinions and concerns about water quality, parks and open space, and wetlands habitat. Community workshops were designed to collect more detailed community input on where water quality projects could be located, and what features they should have. Technical experts and stakeholder agency representatives were asked to join a steering committee and comment on community input collected in community meetings and workshops. Steering Committee members were also expected to comment on goals, objectives, and strategies during the development of the plan. The Watershed Council has completed the Compton Creek Watershed Management Plan. This plan includes a description of the Compton Creek Watershed, goals and objectives for the Watershed based on community concerns, watershed project types, a proposed monitoring plan, assignments of stakeholder responsibilities, an inventory of projects and potential funding, and defined watershed management strategies. The Watershed Management Plan is available online (click here) and is currently being printed by the Watershed Protection Division of the City of Los Angeles. Hard copies of the plan are being sent to policymakers and public libraries. Additional copies of the plan may be available. To request an extra copy of the plan, contact alex@lasgrwc.org. Funding for the Compton Creek Watershed Management Plan has been provided in part through a contract with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) pursuant to the Costa-Machado Water Act of 2000 (Proposition 13) and any amendments of this document thereto for the implementation of California’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the SWRCB, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. The Watershed Council is now working in coordination with Heal the Bay to implement the Compton Creek Watershed Management Plan. Through additional funding provided by the California Coastal Conservancy, the Watershed Council and Heal the Bay are:
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Compton Creek Watershed Map (Click map for full-size version) Upstream concrete-lined portion of Compton Creek  Downstream earthen-bottom section of Compton Creek  Dumping along the earthen-bottom portion of the creek is common...  ...as is dumping along city streets and in alleyways.  This catch basin has become clogged with litter and debris.  There are many industrial facilities like this scrap yard throughout the watershed.  City of Compton Council Member Yvonne Arceneaux and bicyclists at the grand opening of the Compton Creek Bikeway. |
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