Lower Peninsula Watershed Master Plan

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About

Valley Water conducts comprehensive planning to ensure its projects and programs meet watershed management goals. Watershed Master Plans are now underway for the West Valley and Lower Peninsula watersheds.


Background

Valley Water’s mission is to provide Silicon Valley safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment, and economy. As water management challenges are exacerbated by factors such as climate change, urban growth, and water supply concerns, Valley Water must strategically allocate resources to actions that achieve its mission and the needs of the community most effectively. The Watershed Master Plans provide guidance on an integrated approach to water management in each of Santa Clara County’s five watersheds. These plans draw from and align with existing plans and policies, but also seek new opportunities to reflect community values, improve watershed health, and integrate environmental stewardship into everything Valley Water does.

Valley Water’s Watershed Master Planning, previously referred to as One Water, consist of: 1) a countywide framework to develop the vision, goals, and objectives used across all watersheds, and 2) Watershed Master Plans specific to each of the five watersheds located within Santa Clara County. Valley Water has completed Master Plans for the Upper Pajaro, Guadalupe, and Coyote Creek watersheds and is now developing the final two plans for the West Valley and Lower Peninsula watersheds. We seek input from interested parties at all stages of the planning process to create plans that speak best to all water resource needs.

Visit our project page here.


Lower Peninsula Watershed


Map: Lower Peninsula Watershed. Santa Clara Valley Water District

The Lower Peninsula Watershed, located in the northwest portion of Santa Clara County, covers approximately 98 square miles with creeks flowing from the Santa Cruz Mountains into southwest San Francisco Bay and its tidal wetlands. The creeks in the watershed include Stevens Creek, Permanente Creek, Adobe Creek, Barron Creek, Matadero Creek, Deer Creek, and southern portions of the San Francisquito and Los Trancos Creeks. The cities of Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, and Palo Alto are also in the watershed. The northern region of the watershed is largely open space, natural lands, or lightly grazed with some rural residential properties. While development in the upper sub-watersheds of the Lower Peninsula is restricted due to the steep terrain of the Santa Cruz mountains, higher-density residential and commercial development exists in the foothills and on the valley floor.

About

Valley Water conducts comprehensive planning to ensure its projects and programs meet watershed management goals. Watershed Master Plans are now underway for the West Valley and Lower Peninsula watersheds.


Background

Valley Water’s mission is to provide Silicon Valley safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment, and economy. As water management challenges are exacerbated by factors such as climate change, urban growth, and water supply concerns, Valley Water must strategically allocate resources to actions that achieve its mission and the needs of the community most effectively. The Watershed Master Plans provide guidance on an integrated approach to water management in each of Santa Clara County’s five watersheds. These plans draw from and align with existing plans and policies, but also seek new opportunities to reflect community values, improve watershed health, and integrate environmental stewardship into everything Valley Water does.

Valley Water’s Watershed Master Planning, previously referred to as One Water, consist of: 1) a countywide framework to develop the vision, goals, and objectives used across all watersheds, and 2) Watershed Master Plans specific to each of the five watersheds located within Santa Clara County. Valley Water has completed Master Plans for the Upper Pajaro, Guadalupe, and Coyote Creek watersheds and is now developing the final two plans for the West Valley and Lower Peninsula watersheds. We seek input from interested parties at all stages of the planning process to create plans that speak best to all water resource needs.

Visit our project page here.


Lower Peninsula Watershed


Map: Lower Peninsula Watershed. Santa Clara Valley Water District

The Lower Peninsula Watershed, located in the northwest portion of Santa Clara County, covers approximately 98 square miles with creeks flowing from the Santa Cruz Mountains into southwest San Francisco Bay and its tidal wetlands. The creeks in the watershed include Stevens Creek, Permanente Creek, Adobe Creek, Barron Creek, Matadero Creek, Deer Creek, and southern portions of the San Francisquito and Los Trancos Creeks. The cities of Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, and Palo Alto are also in the watershed. The northern region of the watershed is largely open space, natural lands, or lightly grazed with some rural residential properties. While development in the upper sub-watersheds of the Lower Peninsula is restricted due to the steep terrain of the Santa Cruz mountains, higher-density residential and commercial development exists in the foothills and on the valley floor.

  • General Update for the Lower Peninsula Watershed Master Plan

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    Development of the Lower Peninsula Watershed Master Plan continues to make steady progress. The project has completed the existing conditions and watershed assessment phases and is now focused on developing and refining Priority Actions that will shape the watershed's long-term future.

    Existing Conditions Complete

    Since our last update, the Watershed Master Plan team has compiled historical and existing watershed information into a comprehensive Settings Report that documents current land use, ecological resources, water supply, water quality, flood risk, and the watershed's key challenges and opportunities. This report serves as the technical foundation for developing the Lower Peninsula Watershed Master Plan.

    The assessment identified key challenges, including highly constrained urban creeks, aging flood protection infrastructure, degraded habitat and limited ecological connectivity, and water quality impairments associated with urban runoff. It also highlighted opportunities for multi-benefit projects, nature-based solutions, strategic asset renewal, regional partnerships, and targeted restoration in urban and bayland areas.

    Community and Partner Engagement

    Building on the input received during the September 2025 public workshop and subsequent outreach, the Watershed Master Plan team has continued working closely with local jurisdictions, Santa Clara County, open space districts, resource and regulatory agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community members.

    Additional discussions through meetings and community events—including the Stevens Creek Watershed Summit hosted by Friends of Stevens Creek—helped strengthen partnerships and refine ideas for future watershed projects. Outreach with organizations such as the League of Women Voters and the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce further confirmed community priorities, including nature-based creek restoration, improved fish passage, expanded trail connectivity, and enhanced wildlife habitat.

    Watershed Metrics Complete

    The project team also collaborated with Valley Water subject matter experts across multiple technical disciplines and the San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) to refine watershed metrics and establish watershed-specific targets. Building upon the One Water Countywide Framework and previous watershed master plans, these metrics were tailored to the Lower Peninsula Watershed using available data from Valley Water programs and regional partners, including the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program and the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project.

    These metrics measure progress toward objectives related to water supply, water quality, flood risk reduction, ecosystem health, and climate resilience. They also help identify where additional improvements are needed and provide the technical foundation for developing watershed Priority Actions.

    Current Focus: Priority Actions

    The Watershed Master Plan team is now focused on developing and refining more than 60 Priority Actions. This work includes evaluating watershed needs, coordinating with Valley Water subject matter experts, and refining recommendations to ensure they are technically sound, feasible, and aligned with watershed priorities.

    Beginning in August 2026, the team will conduct another round of stakeholder outreach with local jurisdictions, partner agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to review the draft Priority Actions before they are incorporated into the first draft of the Watershed Master Plan. The team also continues to share progress with Valley Water Board advisory committees and incorporate their feedback throughout the planning process.

    What's Next

    The first draft of the Lower Peninsula Watershed Master Plan is anticipated by the end of 2026.

    Community input continues to play an important role in shaping the plan. If you have an idea for a watershed improvement or believe there is a Priority Action that should be considered, it's not too late to participate. We encourage you to submit your ideas via email to Emercado@valleywater.org.

    To view the subject matter expert workshop presentation, click here.

    Development of the Lower Peninsula Watershed Master Plan continues to make steady progress. The project has completed the existing conditions and watershed assessment phases and is now focused on developing and refining Priority Actions that will shape the watershed's long-term future.

    Existing Conditions Complete

    Since our last update, the Watershed Master Plan team has compiled historical and existing watershed information into a comprehensive Settings Report that documents current land use, ecological resources, water supply, water quality, flood risk, and the watershed's key challenges and opportunities. This report serves as the technical foundation for developing the Lower Peninsula Watershed Master Plan.

    The assessment identified key challenges, including highly constrained urban creeks, aging flood protection infrastructure, degraded habitat and limited ecological connectivity, and water quality impairments associated with urban runoff. It also highlighted opportunities for multi-benefit projects, nature-based solutions, strategic asset renewal, regional partnerships, and targeted restoration in urban and bayland areas.

    Community and Partner Engagement

    Building on the input received during the September 2025 public workshop and subsequent outreach, the Watershed Master Plan team has continued working closely with local jurisdictions, Santa Clara County, open space districts, resource and regulatory agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community members.

    Additional discussions through meetings and community events—including the Stevens Creek Watershed Summit hosted by Friends of Stevens Creek—helped strengthen partnerships and refine ideas for future watershed projects. Outreach with organizations such as the League of Women Voters and the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce further confirmed community priorities, including nature-based creek restoration, improved fish passage, expanded trail connectivity, and enhanced wildlife habitat.

    Watershed Metrics Complete

    The project team also collaborated with Valley Water subject matter experts across multiple technical disciplines and the San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) to refine watershed metrics and establish watershed-specific targets. Building upon the One Water Countywide Framework and previous watershed master plans, these metrics were tailored to the Lower Peninsula Watershed using available data from Valley Water programs and regional partners, including the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program and the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project.

    These metrics measure progress toward objectives related to water supply, water quality, flood risk reduction, ecosystem health, and climate resilience. They also help identify where additional improvements are needed and provide the technical foundation for developing watershed Priority Actions.

    Current Focus: Priority Actions

    The Watershed Master Plan team is now focused on developing and refining more than 60 Priority Actions. This work includes evaluating watershed needs, coordinating with Valley Water subject matter experts, and refining recommendations to ensure they are technically sound, feasible, and aligned with watershed priorities.

    Beginning in August 2026, the team will conduct another round of stakeholder outreach with local jurisdictions, partner agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to review the draft Priority Actions before they are incorporated into the first draft of the Watershed Master Plan. The team also continues to share progress with Valley Water Board advisory committees and incorporate their feedback throughout the planning process.

    What's Next

    The first draft of the Lower Peninsula Watershed Master Plan is anticipated by the end of 2026.

    Community input continues to play an important role in shaping the plan. If you have an idea for a watershed improvement or believe there is a Priority Action that should be considered, it's not too late to participate. We encourage you to submit your ideas via email to Emercado@valleywater.org.

    To view the subject matter expert workshop presentation, click here.

  • West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watershed Planning Workshop

    Share West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watershed Planning Workshop on Facebook Share West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watershed Planning Workshop on X (formerly Twitter) Share West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watershed Planning Workshop on Linkedin Email West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watershed Planning Workshop link

    On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Valley Water held a public workshop to present and gather feedback on the West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watershed Master Plans. The presentation covered a master plan overview, question-and-answer session and was followed by a workshop, where staff engaged with community members.

    To view the meeting recording, click here

    To view the presentation, click here

    To view display boards, click here

    More information on the West Valley watershed here and on the Lower Peninsula watershed here.

    On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Valley Water held a public workshop to present and gather feedback on the West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watershed Master Plans. The presentation covered a master plan overview, question-and-answer session and was followed by a workshop, where staff engaged with community members.

    To view the meeting recording, click here

    To view the presentation, click here

    To view display boards, click here

    More information on the West Valley watershed here and on the Lower Peninsula watershed here.

  • Friends of Stevens Creek Watershed Summit

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    Valley Water participated in the Friends of Stevens Creek Watershed Summit, hosted by the Friends of Stevens Creek Trail. The summit brought together representatives from local cities, Santa Clara County, Valley Water, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen), resource and regulatory agencies, and nonprofit organizations to discuss the future of the Stevens Creek Watershed.

    The summit explored important topics affecting the watershed’s future, including the current condition of the Stevens Creek Trail, opportunities to close remaining trail gaps, the role of wildlife corridors, and the health of riparian habitat that supports fish and wildlife throughout the watershed.

    During the summit, Valley Water’s Watershed Master Plan team presented an overview of the Lower Peninsula Watershed Master Plan, which is currently under development. The presentation introduced the watershed master planning process and shared existing conditions within the Stevens Creek Watershed, including channel stability, erosion, flood protection infrastructure, fish passage challenges, habitat conditions, and other watershed characteristics. Attendees also learned how Valley Water uses performance metrics to evaluate watershed conditions and identify opportunities for future improvements.

    To illustrate how the planning process informs future investments, the presentation highlighted examples of potential watershed actions, such as improving fish passage, enhancing aquatic habitat, rehabilitating aging infrastructure, improving water quality, conducting hydrology studies, and supporting groundwater management. These examples demonstrated the types of projects and planning efforts that may be considered as the master plan develops.

    Through presentations, table discussions, networking, and informational exhibits, Valley Water gathered valuable feedback from community members and partner agencies. The ideas and perspectives shared during the summit will help inform development of the Lower Peninsula Watershed Master Plan and future watershed management efforts.

    The slideshow and presentation from the summit are attached to this blogpost for those interested in learning more:

    To view the slideshow deck, click here.

    To view the presentation, click here.



    Valley Water participated in the Friends of Stevens Creek Watershed Summit, hosted by the Friends of Stevens Creek Trail. The summit brought together representatives from local cities, Santa Clara County, Valley Water, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen), resource and regulatory agencies, and nonprofit organizations to discuss the future of the Stevens Creek Watershed.

    The summit explored important topics affecting the watershed’s future, including the current condition of the Stevens Creek Trail, opportunities to close remaining trail gaps, the role of wildlife corridors, and the health of riparian habitat that supports fish and wildlife throughout the watershed.

    During the summit, Valley Water’s Watershed Master Plan team presented an overview of the Lower Peninsula Watershed Master Plan, which is currently under development. The presentation introduced the watershed master planning process and shared existing conditions within the Stevens Creek Watershed, including channel stability, erosion, flood protection infrastructure, fish passage challenges, habitat conditions, and other watershed characteristics. Attendees also learned how Valley Water uses performance metrics to evaluate watershed conditions and identify opportunities for future improvements.

    To illustrate how the planning process informs future investments, the presentation highlighted examples of potential watershed actions, such as improving fish passage, enhancing aquatic habitat, rehabilitating aging infrastructure, improving water quality, conducting hydrology studies, and supporting groundwater management. These examples demonstrated the types of projects and planning efforts that may be considered as the master plan develops.

    Through presentations, table discussions, networking, and informational exhibits, Valley Water gathered valuable feedback from community members and partner agencies. The ideas and perspectives shared during the summit will help inform development of the Lower Peninsula Watershed Master Plan and future watershed management efforts.

    The slideshow and presentation from the summit are attached to this blogpost for those interested in learning more:

    To view the slideshow deck, click here.

    To view the presentation, click here.



  • West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watershed Planning Workshop

    Share West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watershed Planning Workshop on Facebook Share West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watershed Planning Workshop on X (formerly Twitter) Share West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watershed Planning Workshop on Linkedin Email West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watershed Planning Workshop link

    Valley Water is currently developing plans for the West Valley and Lower Peninsula watersheds. To inform this effort, Valley Water is holding a West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watershed Planning Workshop at the Los Altos Community Center on September 9, 2025.

    The workshop will include a staff presentation and an interactive mapping exercise. As part of our planning process to identify environmental, flood, and other water-related problems and solutions in these two watersheds, staff would like to collect your ideas and understand your concerns. While this event is offered both remotely and in person, we encourage your in-person attendance since Zoom participation will be limited to the presentation and the Question-and-Answer session.

    Please join us!

    When: Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

    Where: Los Altos Community Center, Grand Oak Room, 97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos, CA 94022

    Zoom Link: https://valleywater.zoom.us/j/89716636524

    Valley Water is currently developing plans for the West Valley and Lower Peninsula watersheds. To inform this effort, Valley Water is holding a West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watershed Planning Workshop at the Los Altos Community Center on September 9, 2025.

    The workshop will include a staff presentation and an interactive mapping exercise. As part of our planning process to identify environmental, flood, and other water-related problems and solutions in these two watersheds, staff would like to collect your ideas and understand your concerns. While this event is offered both remotely and in person, we encourage your in-person attendance since Zoom participation will be limited to the presentation and the Question-and-Answer session.

    Please join us!

    When: Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

    Where: Los Altos Community Center, Grand Oak Room, 97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos, CA 94022

    Zoom Link: https://valleywater.zoom.us/j/89716636524

  • Initial Survey

    Share Initial Survey on Facebook Share Initial Survey on X (formerly Twitter) Share Initial Survey on Linkedin Email Initial Survey link

    Valley Water invites you to collaborate with us on the development of the Lower Peninsula and West Valley Watershed Master Plans. This planning effort will help Valley Water understand water resource challenges and opportunities, prioritize actions, and effectively allocate resources across the watersheds. To meet a diverse array of needs and values, Valley Water relies on the expertise and perspectives of community partners who live and work in these watersheds. For this reason, we have created a short survey to gauge your desired level of involvement, your priorities, and your areas of interest in this master planning effort.

    Find the survey linked below.

    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5BLFRZ7

    Valley Water invites you to collaborate with us on the development of the Lower Peninsula and West Valley Watershed Master Plans. This planning effort will help Valley Water understand water resource challenges and opportunities, prioritize actions, and effectively allocate resources across the watersheds. To meet a diverse array of needs and values, Valley Water relies on the expertise and perspectives of community partners who live and work in these watersheds. For this reason, we have created a short survey to gauge your desired level of involvement, your priorities, and your areas of interest in this master planning effort.

    Find the survey linked below.

    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5BLFRZ7

  • March 2025 - Lower Peninsula and West Valley Watershed Master Plans Kickoff

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    On March 4th, 2025, Valley Water hosted its community network kickoff meeting. This meeting introduced the Watershed Master Plans, discussed community involvement, and described next steps. Below are links to the presentation and slides from that meeting.

    Video

    Slides

    On March 4th, 2025, Valley Water hosted its community network kickoff meeting. This meeting introduced the Watershed Master Plans, discussed community involvement, and described next steps. Below are links to the presentation and slides from that meeting.

    Video

    Slides

Page last updated: 06 Jul 2026, 10:37 AM