At present, there is no water in the lower half of the creek (I have yet to verify the upper sites). We received 3 inches of rain in the last rainy season, and the water that has flown in the creek has been not from the natural hydrologic cycle. The water is mostly from people who have over-irrigated their lawns. In San Diego County, it is estimated that 60-70% of water use residentially is for landscape irrigation. This is a phenomenally large amount, especially given that we import 90% of our water in this region!!
This landscape irrigation run-off has allowed for sensitive wetlands habitat to establish itself, and in addressing this wasteful application of water we may affect the vegetation. It's a Catch 22 situation with no easy answers.