A Living Wetland

San Diego River and the
Misson Bay Wetland System

The San Diego River is a dominant feature of the region.  Historically, the River wandered as it flowed to the Ocean.  The changing course of the river developed estuaries in both San Diego Bay and Mission Bay.  Much of the historical natural wetlands has been changed as the City has grown.  San Diego Bay has been dredged for a commercial and Naval ship channel.  The River has been channelized and directed to flow North of Interstate-8 directly to the outlet at Dog Beach.  Mission Bay has been developed into a water park and the wildland there has been greatly reduced.  Kendall Frost, Famosa Slough and the San Diego River Channel are all that remains of the historical wetland habitat.   Famosa Slough survives with tidal flow from (3) 4′ culverts that were intended as drainage from the Famosa Slough Watershed area.  Today these storm-drains allow tidal influence in Famosa Slough and connects to the River and ultimately the Pacific Ocean.