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What is a WATERSHED?

Did you know that you live in a watershed? Everywhere on earth, water that is not absorbed into the ground will try to flow downhill to sea level. If it does not flow into a landlocked lake, it will ultimately flow to the sea.

The area which drains into any BODY of water is called its WATERSHED. The western part of the Santa Clara Valley is a watershed; all of its creeks and runoff will empty into the San Francisco Bay.

S. San Francisco Bay photo
SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATERSHED

map of Santa Clara Valley Watershed

CREEKS in the jurisdiction of WEST VALLEY CLEAN WATER PROGRAM

• Calabazas Creek
• Saratoga Creek
• Los Gatos Creek
• San Tomas Aquino Creek

Each of these 4 creeks has smaller tributary creeks which carry water to the main creek; the main creeks all empty into San Francisco Bay.

SURF YOUR WATERSHED 
Locate your home within our watershed.
 

The western boundary of the Santa Clara Valley is the Santa Cruz Mountain Range. Water falling on the east side of the summit will flow to the San Francisco Bay.
Water falling on the other side of the summit will be part of a different watershed and will ultimately flow into the Monterey Bay, or directly into the Pacific Ocean north of the Monterey Bay.

In the West Valley Communities of Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno & Saratoga, all of the runoff from your home, yard and neighborhood flows into a local creek (listed above) and on to San Francisco Bay.

WHAT'S IMPORTANT ABOUT WATERSHEDS?
Watersheds are more than just drainage areas in and around our communities. They are necessary to support habitat for plants and animals, and they provide drinking water for people and wildlife. They also provide places for recreation and enjoyment of nature.

Protection of the natural resources in our watershed is essential to maintain the health & well being of all living things - both now & in the future.

Surf your watershed! Locate your home within our watershed.

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Last Updated 6/2002
© West Valley Clean Water Program 6/2002