GonzalesCnyn

FSDRV

GonzalesCnyn

GONZALES CANYON/GONZALES CREEK

Any plan for housing development and construction of athletic fields on the Boudreau Property must take into consideration the natural condition of the land surrounding the property, and allow for the possibility of flooding, both from the San Dieguito River and from the river in Gonzales Canyon.

A real river does flow in Gonzales Canyon, but only intermittently because we live in a semi-arid climate.

The geological map shows that Gonzales Canyon river bed is underlain with quaternary alluvium (Qal) similar to that in the main San Dieguito River, proof of the flow of an active river during the Quaternary.

The photographs attached document this fact. They were taken in early January, 2002 when there had been some significant rains. Their locations are shown on the Geological Map.

San Dieguito River Valley (numbers show photo locations)

Photo #1

Photo #1. From a dirt road on the west side of Gonzales Canyon, looking North toward the underpass under El Camino Real. The drainage under the road is so poor that water stagnates and does not drain northward as it should, creating an artificial wetland. The present day culvert has been poorly designed and it hinders the flow of water.

Photo #2

Photo #2. Photo taken from the approximately same location but looking southward, shows that an actual pond has formed where ducks have established themselves. Later in the season, when tomato fields are planted, the whole area is bulldozed and these features disappear.

Photo #3

Photo #3. From the bridge over El Camino Real (new El Camino Real alignment), the Gonzales River flows Northward toward a wetland near the San Dieguito River. This is a very clear continuous channel. Later in the season, when tomato fields are planted, the whole area is bulldozed and these features disappear.

If the City of San Diego does not build a real bridge over the Gonzales river and let the river flow freely toward the main valley, when houses are built close by this site will become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, carriers of the west Nile virus and other health hazards. Athletic fields would be subject to flooding.

—Jacqueline Winterer