Local waterbodies
Our waterbodies and watersheds
Santa Clara County is divided into 13 main watersheds, which delineate areas of common flow (stream and creek systems) and drainage (storm drains and retention areas). All creeks and rivers in Santa Clara County drain in two directions: north to San Francisco Bay, and south to the Pajaro River (which eventually flows to the Monterey Bay). When water flows into a storm drain, drainage ditch, or creek, it will eventually flow into one of these two major water bodies. The WPD, along with our partners, works to ensure that water flowing from our county is not carrying dangerous contaminants into rivers, bays, and the ocean.
The San Francisco Bay RWQCB (Region 2) regulates waters discharging to San Francisco Bay, and The Central Coast RWQCB (Region 3) regulates waters discharging to the Monterey Bay.
Region 2: San Francisco Bay
The northern portion of the County drains to the San Francisco Bay and is under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. This portion of the County has been under a NPDES Municipal Stormwater Phase I Permit since 1990. The County of Santa Clara participates in the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program (SCVURPPP) to address the many of the requirements of the Municipal Regional (Phase I) NPDES Permit.
Region 3: Central Coast
The Southern portion of the County drains to the Pajaro River and Monterey Bay and is under the jurisdiction of the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. This portion of the County obtained a NPDES Municipal Stormwater Phase II Permit in 2010. The County of Santa Clara works jointly with the City of Morgan Hill and the City of Gilroy to address the requirements of the Phase II Permit.
The County of Santa Clara, the City of Morgan Hill, and the City of Gilroy meet monthly to discuss the implementation of the Phase II permit. These meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 10:00 in the morning at the City of Morgan Hill Public Works Department at 100 Edes Court Morgan Hill, CA. If you would like to receive more information about these monthly meetings, please contact the Watershed Protection Division at (408) 282-3165.
More information about storm water quality, local waterways, and practices to protect our water can be found at the following links: