Santa Clara Valley Water District - Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan

Introduction

Morgan Hill is a mid-sized community of 33,556 located 12 miles south of San Jose, 10 miles north of Gilroy, and 15 miles inland from the Pacific Coast. The Valley is approximately four miles wide and is surrounded by the Santa Cruz mountain range to the west and the Diablo mountain range to the east. The City has transitioned from an agricultural center to a suburban community. Morgan Hill seeks to retain a small-town feel.

Shared Responsibilities

Most policies guiding development and use of resources in Morgan Hill are contained in the City's General Plan. With the understanding that their roles and responsibilities often intersect, the District and the City work together on many key community interests. Major efforts have included:

• Establishing easements and developing trails along creeks and drainage channels
• Encouragng conservation and water use efficiency
• Developing a coordinated, interjurisdictional master plan for local drainage in South County
• Requiring developers to provide mitigation of drainage impacts and protection of groundwater quality
  

Looking forward, further collaboration or partnership will facilitate sustainable development in the region, particularly in the following areas:

Maps

The interactive map below shows the location of San José and illustrates some of the city's key features, such as major creeks, flood zones and groundwater subbasins.

To view key features, choose a layer from the "Select a layer to display" menu on the map below. You can select multiple layers to view at one time; if you wish to turn off a layer, select it again from the menu. Individual layers contain specific data that you can access by clicking on the layer itself.

Key Water Resources Features

Morgan Hill lies within the Uvas-Llagas watershed. Five creeks traverse the city: Coyote and Fisher Creeks drain northward toward the Bay; Edmundson, Tennant and West Little Llasas Creeks flow southwest into Monterey Bay.

Water Supply

The City of Morgan Hill Public Works Department supplies water for the City. Morgan Hill's General Plan contains a comprehensive set of policies aimed at  "effective management of water resources." Many of the policies encourage collaboration and coordination between the City and other agencies, including the District. The Plan encourages the District to continue to develop programs such as well monitoring, percolation of imported water, reclamation and conservation.

Flood Protection

Morgan Hill seeks to address issues related to flooding by requiring developers to present storm water management plans, mitigate on- and off-site drainage impacts, and protect groundwater quality. In addition, the City encourages cooperation with the District and other agencies and municipalities to develop a coordinated, regional approach to flood control.

Watershed Health

The Open Space and Conservation element of the City's General Plan puts forth the specific goal of "preservation and reclamation of streams and riparian areas as open space." Policies supporting this goal include general principles advocating for the return of streamside and riparian areas to their natural state, as well as more specific proposals, such as a streamside park along West Little Llagas Creek.

Citywide Programs and Projects

The City and the District collaborate on projects to maintain the health of the watershed and water quality, establish natural flood protection and provide access to open space and trails. Recent projects include:

• Upper Llagas Creek Flood Protection Project