2002-2003 Ponding at Shea Parkside
Last updated April 18, 2005
Summary
The rainy season got off to a late start in December 2002.
January and February 2003 were mostly dry, followed by a return of
decent rains in March. The season wrapped up in early May with a
final good-sized storm. Total rainfall for the season came in at
about 110% of normal.
The two vernal pools in the county parcel were the grand champions
of ponding.
These pools contained water almost continuously from late December 2002
until late May 2003, with perhaps only one or two brief periods when
the pools were dry. These vernal pools are not mentioned in the
2002 Parkside Estates Final EIR despite the presence of a Shea/LSA
monitoring well located adjacent to the larger pool.
The city parcel had been extensively
regraded
in December 2002 in blatant violation of the Coastal Act in order
to reduce ponding in the western portion. However careful
monitoring during the 2002-2003 rainy season was able to document city
parcel ponding meeting the 7-day and 18-day thresholds.
The following map shows the most frequent ponding areas for this
season:
OC PFRD Rainfall Data - Station
216, Costa Mesa
Ponding sequences for the entire property have been
highlighted
in light blue.
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
3
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
0.33
|
|
4
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.43
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.30
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
14
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.40
|
|
|
15
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.70
|
|
|
|
16
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
17
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.76
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
|
|
26
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
|
28
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
0.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
1.68
|
2.33
|
0.00
|
4.25
|
4.06
|
1.55
|
0.81
|
0.00
|
|
City Parcel Adjacent to the
Wintersburg Channel
Multiple ponding areas exist along the middle third of the city
parcel adjacent to the Wintersburg Channel. These ponding areas
quickly form a snail habitat used by wading birds as a food supply.
Ponding sequences for this area:
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
3
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
0.33
|
|
4
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.43
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.30
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
14
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.40
|
|
|
15
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.70
|
|
|
|
16
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
17
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.76
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
|
|
26
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
|
28
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
0.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
1.68
|
2.33
|
0.00
|
4.25
|
4.06
|
1.55
|
0.81
|
0.00
|
|
Initial Rainfall = December 17, 2002 / Consecutive Days of Ponding
= 19
|
|
December 17, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #1
|
December 19, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #3
|
 |
 |
| December 20, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #4 |
December 21, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #5 |
|
 |
December 22, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #6
|
December 23, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #7 |
|
|
December 24, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #8
|
December 27, 2002 - consec.
ponding
day #11
|
 |
 |
| December 28, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #12 |
December 29, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #13 |
|
|
January 1, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #16
|
January 4, 2003 - consec. ponding
day
#19
|
Initial Rainfall = March 16,
2003 / Consecutive Days of Ponding = 7
|
|
March 16, 2003 (rain) - consec.
ponding day #1
|
March 18, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #3
|
 |
 |
| March 19, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #4 |
March 20, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #5 |
|
March 22, 2003 - consec. ponding
day
#7
|
City Parcel Arena Site
Before Shea illegally regraded the area in 1998, a large raised area
of fill dirt used to exist adjacent to the Slater Pump Station
bridge. This area was used as part of the stables operation and
at one point included an oval arena area.
Regular ponding can be observed in historical aerial photographs
immediately adjacent to the northeastern corner of the fill area.
Despite the 1998 regrading, ponding still occurs here, and this
location was home to the largest concentration of brass buttons (Cotula coronopifolia,
FACW+)
found on the entire property during 2002-2003.
Ponding sequences for this area:
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
3
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
0.33
|
|
4
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.43
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.30
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
14
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.40
|
|
|
15
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.70
|
|
|
|
16
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
17
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.76
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
|
|
26
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
|
28
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
0.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
1.68
|
2.33
|
0.00
|
4.25
|
4.06
|
1.55
|
0.81
|
0.00
|
|
Initial Rainfall = December 17, 2002 / Consecutive Days of Ponding
= 19
|
|
December 17, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #1
|
December 19, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #3
|
 |
 |
| December 20, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #4 |
December 21, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #5 |
|
|
December 22, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #6
|
December 23, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #7
|
|
|
December 24, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #8
|
December 27, 2002 - consec.
ponding day
#11
|
 |
 |
| December 28, 2002 - consec.
ponding day
#12 |
December 29, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #13 |
|
January 4, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #19
|
City Parcel Western Agricultural
Boundary
This area was illegally regraded in
December
2002 in order to prevent the regular ponding that had been observed
in past rainy seasons. The regrading was unsuccessful and ponding
still occurs.
Ponding sequences for this area:
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
3
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
0.33
|
|
4
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.43
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.30
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
14
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.40
|
|
|
15
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.70
|
|
|
|
16
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
17
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.76
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
|
|
26
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
|
28
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
0.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
1.68
|
2.33
|
0.00
|
4.25
|
4.06
|
1.55
|
0.81
|
0.00
|
|
Initial Rainfall - December 17, 2002 / Consecutive Days of Ponding
= 19
|
|
December 17, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #1
|
December 19, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #3
|
 |
 |
| December 20, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #4 |
December 21, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #5 |
|
|
December 22, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #6
|
December 23, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #7
|
|
|
December 27, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #11
|
December 28, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #12
|
 |
 |
| December 29, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #13 |
January 4, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #19 |
City Parcel Agricultural Staging
Area
Ponding sequences for this area:
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
3
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
0.33
|
|
4
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.43
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.30
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
14
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.40
|
|
|
15
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.70
|
|
|
|
16
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
17
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.76
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
|
|
26
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
|
28
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
0.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
1.68
|
2.33
|
0.00
|
4.25
|
4.06
|
1.55
|
0.81
|
0.00
|
|
Initial Rainfall = December 17, 2002 / Consecutive Days of Ponding
= 19
 |
 |
December 17, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #1
|
December 19, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #3
|
|
|
December 20, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #4
|
December 21, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #5
|
|
|
December 22, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #6
|
December 23, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #7
|
|
|
December 27, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #11
|
December 28, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #12
|
|
|
December 29, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #13
|
January 4, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #19
|
Former County Parcel Palm Tree
Wetland
The county parcel wetland delineation in the 2002 Final EIR
acknowledges a small potential Coastal Commission jurisdiction wetland
area near the palm tree. This area did indeed pond frequently,
though seldom for very long.
Ponding sequences for this area:
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
3
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
0.33
|
|
4
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.43
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.30
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
14
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.40
|
|
|
15
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.70
|
|
|
|
16
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
17
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.76
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
|
|
26
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
|
28
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
0.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
1.68
|
2.33
|
0.00
|
4.25
|
4.06
|
1.55
|
0.81
|
0.00
|
|
Initial Rainfall - December 17, 2002 / Consecutive Days of Ponding
= 13
|
|
December 17, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #1
|
December 19, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #3
|
 |
 |
| December 20, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #4 |
December 21, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #5 |
|
|
December 22, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #6
|
December 24, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #8
|
|
|
December 28, 2002 - consec.
ponding day
#12
|
December 29, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #13
|
Former County Parcel Test Well
A small portion of the lower county parcel near a Shea test well
ponded frequently enough to exceed the 18-day standard. Despite
being located near a test well, there is no mention of this ponding
area in the EIR.
Ponding sequences for this area:
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
3
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
0.33
|
|
4
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.43
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.30
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
14
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.40
|
|
|
15
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.70
|
|
|
|
16
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
17
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.76
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
|
|
26
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
|
28
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
0.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
1.68
|
2.33
|
0.00
|
4.25
|
4.06
|
1.55
|
0.81
|
0.00
|
|
Initial Rainfall = December 17, 2002 / Consecutive Days of Ponding
= 19
|
|
December 17, 2002 (rain)- consec.
ponding day #1
|
December 19, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #3
|
 |
 |
| December 20, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #4 |
December 21, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #5 |
|
|
December 22, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #6
|
December 24, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #8
|
|
|
December 27, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #11
|
December 28, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #12
|
 |
 |
| December 29, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #13 |
January 1, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #16 |
|
January 4, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #19
|
Former County Parcel Natural Gas
Pipe
Wetland
The EIR acknowledges a moderately sized potential Coastal Commission
jurisdiction wetlands near the large above-ground natural gas
pipe. This ponding area did not disappoint, either in duration or
size.
I have officially dubbed the large lake that can form after major
rainstorms as "Lake Metzler". ;-)
Ponding sequences for this area:
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
3
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
0.33
|
|
4
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.43
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.30
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
14
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.40
|
|
|
15
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.70
|
|
|
|
16
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
17
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.76
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
|
|
26
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
|
28
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
0.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
1.68
|
2.33
|
0.00
|
4.25
|
4.06
|
1.55
|
0.81
|
0.00
|
|
Initial Rainfall = December 17, 2002 / Consecutive Days of Ponding
= 16
|
|
December 17, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #1
|
December 19, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #3
|
 |
 |
| December 20, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #4 |
December 21, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #5 |
|
|
December 22, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #6
|
December 24, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #8
|
|
|
December 27, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #11
|
December 28, 2002 - consec.
ponding day #12
|
 |
|
| December 29, 2002 (rain) -
consec. ponding day #13 |
January 1, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #16
|
Initial Rainfall = March 16,
2003 / Consecutive Days of Ponding = 15
Can you spot the mallards in two of these pictures?
|
|
March 16, 2003 (rain) - consec.
ponding day #1
|
March 18, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #3
|
 |
 |
| March 19, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #4 |
March 20, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #5 |
|
|
March 22, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #7
|
March 30, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #15
|
Former County Parcel Vernal
Puddle
The hard-packed dirt road areas of the county parcel are home to
several ponding areas of shorter duration, all of which exhibit
clusters of high-value wetland indicator vegetation.
Ponding sequences for this area:
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
3
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
0.33
|
|
4
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.43
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.30
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
14
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.40
|
|
|
15
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.70
|
|
|
|
16
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
17
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.76
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
|
|
26
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
|
28
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
0.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
1.68
|
2.33
|
0.00
|
4.25
|
4.06
|
1.55
|
0.81
|
0.00
|
|
Initial Rainfall = December 29, 2002 / Consecutive Days of Ponding
= 7
|
|
January 1, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #4
|
January 4, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #7
|
Initial Rainfall = March 16,
2003 / Consecutive Days of Ponding = 7
The wetland indicator species hyssop
loosestrife (Lythrum hyssopifolia, FACW) featured in the last two
photographs is visible in the first two photographs when viewed at full
resolution. This particular plant ONLY occurs in the middle of
ponding areas.
|
|
March 16, 2003 (rain) - consec.
ponding
day #1
|
March 18, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #3
|
 |
|
| March 20, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #5 |
March 22, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #7
|
Initial Rainfall = May 3, 2003 /
Consecutive Days of Ponding = 8
Very impressive ponding duration considering the warm springtime
season of this sequence.
|
|
May 3, 2003 (rain) - consec.
ponding day
#1
|
May 10, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #8
|
Former County Parcel Vernal Pools
There are two large vernal pools on the county parcel which had
water in them nearly every day between Christmas 2002 and Memorial Day
2003. After large rainstorms, these two adjacent pools merge into
a single large pool. As the water evaporates, the pool splits in
two. By the end of the rainy season, rings of wetland vegetation
could be observed around the perimeter of each pool.
Ponding sequences for this area (note that MANY sequences have been
omitted here in order to focus on the single-most impressive late
season sequence):
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
3
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
0.33
|
|
4
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.43
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.30
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
14
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.40
|
|
|
15
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.70
|
|
|
|
16
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
17
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.76
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
|
|
26
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
|
28
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
0.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
Day
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Day
|
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
1.68
|
2.33
|
0.00
|
4.25
|
4.06
|
1.55
|
0.81
|
0.00
|
|
Initial Rainfall = May 3, 2003 / Consecutive Days of Ponding = 23
Rather than boring you with every single photograph showing water in
these pools, I instead will present just the final ponding sequence
that took place during May 2003. This long duration of ponding is
particularly impressive given the warm temperatures, high sun angle,
and long daylight hours of late spring.
|
|
May 3, 2003 (rain) - consec.
ponding day #1
|
May 10, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #8
|
 |
 |
| May 12, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #10 |
May 17, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #15 |
|
|
May 21, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #19
|
May 25, 2003 - consec. ponding
day #23
|
Miscellaneous Hydrological
Observations
City Parcel
Even when there isn't enough rainfall to produce surface ponding,
the dirt stays wettest longest in the same areas that pond under wetter
conditions. The large dark area to the left of the nearest
irrigation pipe stem in where the motherload of brass buttons was found.
The wet area to the left of the bicyclists was home to a much
greater than average abundance of salt sandspurry.
The western half of the city parcel clearly retains moisture longer
than the eastern portion. This is the same western portion that
once upon a time was designated an 8.3-acre EPA wetland.
The so-called "ephemeral channel" can be seen curving away into the
background towards the Kenilworth back fence. While the channel
almost never ponds, it always retains enough moisture so that it is one
of the last portions of the city parcel to dry out following storms.
Former County Parcel
A reliable shorter-duration ponding area supporting various wetland
indicator vegetation species. The bigger vernal pools are behind
and to the left of the photographer.
Various shorter duration ponds frequently formed on the dirt roads
in the county parcel. Despite the shorter duration, various
wetland plants such as salt sandspurry dominate in these small areas.
The tire rut wetlands. Soil chroma is substantially darker in
these tire ruts, and vegetation is definitely of the wetland type --
salt sandspurry, brass buttons, curved sicklegrass. The
county/city border fence can be seen in the background at left.
Numerous small ponds form on the county side of the county/city
border fence. Wetland vegetation such as salt sandspurry, brass
buttons, curved sicklegrass, and annual rabbitsfoot grass could be
found in abundance here.
The drainage channel that was illegally
carved out in December 2002
proved to be a reliable ponding area. Brass buttons and annual
rabbitsfoot grass are readily visible in the full-res version of this
image.
Webmaster: Mark Bixby
