User:Cameronhassibi/sandbox

Sediment deposition
Due to the high rate of sediment deposition that surpasses the federally-mandated total maximum daily load, Los Peñasquitos Lagoon is listed as a category 5 impaired body of water under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. This is primarily due to the adverse effects of sedimentation in the lagoon itself and also within its vast watershed. These effects include drops in photosynthetic productivity, higher concentrations of heavy metals, and overall loss of ecosystem biodiversity within the estuary. In addition to ecological impacts, sedimentation in the Los Peñasquitos watershed has led to significant issues within its storm water infrastructure. Specifically, sediment accumulation in flood control channel s has greatly reduced original storm water conveyance capacity. This is primarily due to the vegetation that grows within the channels as a result of siltation. Regular maintenance of these channels by the Storm Water Division is therefore a necessity to ensure proper flood control. Despite the need for sufficient flood control through regular channel maintenance, the extensive permitting process involved requires selection and planning that extends nearly two years before any service activities.