Tackling the Condition of Aliso Creek

By: Ansh Sharma

Scattered Litter in Aliso Creek (Orange County Register)

August 29, 2023 – October 19, 2023 

Aliso Creek, an iconic natural feature of South Orange County that has existed long before the establishment of Aliso Viejo, is in jeopardy. Indicator bacteria has detected high amounts of fecal bacteria within Aliso Creek. As a result, algal blooms have become prominent enough in the creek that produce toxins that still end up in the ocean despite the best efforts of these organizations. High levels of E. coli bacteria result in illnesses if contact is made with the water, and many have noted the foul sewage smell emanating from areas near the creek. Many species of fish such as catfish, bass, bluegill, and mosquito fish, no longer exist in Aliso Creek, and only the common carp can survive the conditions of the water. Additionally, the walkable areas near the creek are littered with trash and dog feces as well as being vandalized with graffiti. Proposals to clean the creek have already been suggested, such as the Aliso Creek Runoff Recovery and Reuse Project proposed in 2009, which offered to collect 0.8 million gallons of creek water daily and treat it by reverse osmosis, mixing it with Title 22 Recycled Water and then using the water for irrigation purposes. However, since then, not many new proposals have been made.

Map of the Aliso Creek Watershed (H2OC Stormwater Program) 

Addressing the causation of the problem is crucial when tackling such a wide-scale issue as a contaminated creek. Fecal bacteria is one factor for the contamination. There should be a stronger emphasis on ensuring people clean up after their animals if they use the restroom close to Aliso Creek. Trash cleanups can be held periodically throughout regions of Aliso Creek that have been the most strongly affected by pollution. Community advocacy about the repercussions of leaving the state of Aliso Creek unchecked could help discourage community members from continuously littering. There should be a strong priority on encouraging the adolescent population to have an interest in the environment and clean up after themselves. Raising direct awareness through school programs and having presentations in local schools can help prohibit future littering from occurring, and can instill strong environmental morals within our youth, which they can keep with them as they mature and adapt to adult life.

Skimboarding Trench Dug From Aliso Creek (Laguna Bluebelt Coalition) 

Issues regarding Aliso Creek are not exclusive to Aliso Viejo as well. At the creek berm at Aliso Beach, adolescent skimboarders contribute to the pollution at Aliso Beach. Skimboarders–those who meet an oncoming wave and ride it back to shore–dig trenches to redirect the water for their own interests, as they enjoy skimboarding the creek. By doing so, they inadvertently facilitate the “[alteration of] coastal habitat and … introduce bacterial pollution into the marine environment,” according to Jennifer Savage, Policy Manager of the Surfrider Foundation California. While many people have expressed their concerns, action has yet to be taken. According to a written statement from the Laguna Beach police department, the inaction is because there are no laws prohibiting “creek disruption, [it] only [applies] to creeks in unincorporated areas.” As Laguna Beach is an urban area, these laws are void and are not enforceable on parties involved in breaching the natural sand berms. The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board launched an investigation into Orange County Parks, including the state of Aliso Beach. Their findings noted that there was an “absence of any regulatory oversight

or monitoring of the creek discharge quality when the sand bar berm is breached,” and maintenance “appears to be inconsistent with the public health and safety, environmental protection, and monitoring measures implemented” (Laguna Beach Independent). The board identifies the issue that the conservation of these beaches and the protection of these sand berms needs to be prioritized, and city officials do not reciprocate this emphasis on restricting the disruption of the berms. The parts of the beach where the creek meets the ocean have particularly dangerous currents. As Michael Beanan, co-founder of the Laguna Blackbelt Coalition states, “nearly 70 percent of OC Lifeguard rescues at Aliso Beach come from the area where the berm meets the ocean” (Laguna Beach Independent). This means that on top of the “2.4 million gallons of polluted urban runoff” (Laguna Beach Independent) released, swimmers have to be extra cautious to avoid being swept out into the ocean. This would be extremely difficult to be aware of with the various redirections of the water made by skimboarders and it highlights the importance of establishing change at Aliso Beach. 

Volleyball In Aliso Creek (Ansh Sharma) 

Again, advocacy is a considerably powerful tool for effecting change. Having open conversations about the negative repercussions of constant disturbance to the Aliso Creek estuary can raise awareness in our communities and help mitigate the frequency of these events from happening. If enough people garner interest, people can evoke change by appealing to city officials to create legislation that helps protect the natural state of Aliso Creek. Restrictions and harsher consequences can be enacted on those who physically alter or perturb the natural state of

the creek to discourage prospective violators from going through with their actions. Sign postage can help keep beachgoers aware to stay clear of the berm for their own safety as well as maintain the preservation of Aliso Creek’s ecosystem. Collaborating and discussing ideas with local organizations involving Aliso Creek, such as the Moulton Niguel Water District, can help keep the general public informed on the value of the creek and the different methods they can use to get involved. Even simpler tasks such as picking up litter off the ground, or establishing a neighborhood watch, are vast steps towards benefiting the pristineness of the creek. If the community decides to make an effort together, the effects on Aliso Creek can and will be reversed in good time, until it once more regains its natural beauty. 

Works Cited: 

H2OC Stormwater Program. “Watershed Appreciation – Get To Know the Aliso Creek Watershed.” H2OC Stormwater Program, 26 Sept. 2023, h2oc.org/blog/aliso-creek-watershed/ 

Angelina Hicks, Erika Taylor. “Toxic Algae Is Stranding Sick and Aggressive Sea Lions on OC Shores.” Voice of OC, 26 Sept. 2023, 

voiceofoc.org/2023/08/toxic-algae-is-stranding-sick-and-aggressive-sea-lions-on-oc-shores/ 

Flahive, Brennan. “Supplemental Environmental Project Application Form.” California Regional Water Quality Control Board San Diego Region (SDRWQCB), 1 Apr. 2009, 

https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/rwqcb9/board_info/agendas/2009/may/item12/sup_doc_5f_coverl etter.pdf 

Langhorne, Daniel. “O.C. Shrugs Off Coastal Commission’s Cures for Aliso Creek Breaches.” Laguna Beach Local News, 6 Apr. 2022, 

www.lagunabeachindy.com/orange-county-shrugs-off-coastal-commission-cures-for-aliso-creek-br eaches/ 

Team, LB Indy. “Breaching the Berm at Aliso Creek.” Laguna Beach Local News, 8 Jan. 2021, www.lagunabeachindy.com/breaching-the-berm-at-aliso-creek/ 

Bosco, Scott. “Volunteers Take Out the Trash at Aliso Creek.” Orange County Register, Orange County Register, 3 June 2015, 

www.ocregister.com/2015/06/03/volunteers-take-out-the-trash-at-aliso-creek/