Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority

What Is a Watershed—and Why Does It Matter?

A watershed is an area of land where all rainfall and runoff flow to the same body of water. In our region, that means the water that falls on streets, neighborhoods, parks, and hillsides eventually makes its way into the Lake Elsinore and San Jacinto watersheds.

Everything we do on the land can impact the health of our waterways. Litter, fertilizers, pet waste, and other pollutants can be carried by stormwater into local creeks, rivers, and lakes.

Did You Know? What happens in our neighborhoods can impact our lakes, rivers, and local waterways.

Simple actions like picking up pet waste, properly disposing of trash, and reducing landscape runoff help protect water quality throughout the Lake Elsinore and San Jacinto watersheds.

Every resident plays a role in keeping our watershed healthy. Small actions add up to big benefits for our environment, wildlife, and future generations.

Learn more about watershed stewardship and how you can make a difference right here in our community.

It's a hot one out in the watershed this weekend! How are you staying cool while enjoying our rivers, lakes, and streams? Share your favorite spot.

The Lake Elsinore and San Jacinto River Watersheds are home to Southern California's largest natural freshwater lake. Lake Elsinore features more than 14 miles of shoreline and covers about 3,000 acres! Learn more about Lake Elsinore at https://mywatersheds.com/about-us/about-lake-elsinore/.

A dripping faucet, leaking irrigation valve or running toilet may seem minor, but small leaks can add up to significant water waste over time.💧

Take a few minutes this week to check your faucets, irrigation system and outdoor hoses for leaks. Finding and fixing problems early can help save water and lower your monthly bill.

Learn more about water-saving tips and programs at EVMWD.com/Conservation

Healthy watersheds start with all of us. Small actions like reducing runoff and picking up litter make a big difference for local water quality and wildlife.

There's still time to get in some spring cleaning! Avoid wasting water by filling a bucket to clean with instead of letting your faucet run.

Native plants do more than beautify our landscapes, they help protect our watersheds! California native plants are adapted to our local climate, requiring less water and maintenance while providing critical habitat for pollinators, birds, and wildlife. Visit https://evmwd.com/who-we-are/conservation/landscaping/ for resources to help you plan your water-wise landscaping.

& are located at the bottom of the . The entire watershed covers over 780 square miles in the western half of Riverside County. Learn more at https://mywatersheds.com/the-san-jacinto-river-watersheds/.