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<br />002J59 <br /> <br />The Alamar River Corridor: An Urban River Park Oasis <br />in Tijuana, Baja Califorlllia, Mexico <br /> <br />The city of Tijuana is facing an increasing population in need of a growing supply <br />of potable water, as well as more space for parks and open areas. With more people, <br />more industry, and more urbanization in the region, increasing amounts of contaminants <br />are deposited in Tijuana's urban rivers and aquifers. In the Alamar River Corridor, water <br />pollution continues to reduce groundwater supplies of potable water. In addition, the <br />existing land use activities in the river floodplain, such as the irregular settlements and <br />sand mining, are damaging the riparian habitat. The destruction of riparian habitat not <br />only reduces biodiversity, but also depletes the region's groundwater supplies and <br />degrades surface and groundwater quality. Destruction of riparian habitat results in more <br />flood events, water pollution, and more soil erosion in the valley and downstream <br />regions. Protecting and restoring the Alamar River will help address numerous natural <br />resources problems including water supply, water quality, biodiversity, and erosion <br />problems. <br />The authors of this report advocate using a watershed approach for the protection <br />and restoration of the Alamar River. The watershed approach incorporates strategies for <br />not only the Alamar River region, but also upstream (Tecate) and downstream areas. By <br />applying the watershed approach, the city's water resources demands are augmented by <br />first capturing more water on site. Capturing water on site will increase groundwater <br />recharge, and thus enhance the city's drinking water supply. Second, restoring wetlands <br />and riparian habitat will reduce contaminants in the river and groundwater. Third, the <br />watershed approach, as opposed to conventional engineering methods of river concrete <br />channelization, advocates the use of the river bed and floodplain for green spaces and <br />recreational areas for the residents of the City of Tijuana. Instead of channelization, <br />restoring the Alamar River will improve property values near the river region, improve <br />quality of life for residents, and will improve the image of the city. <br /> <br />If you would like a copy of the report, please send your mailing information to <br />avillegas@proiects.sdsu.edu <br /> <br />Institute for Regional Studies ofthe Californias, San Diego State University <br />Website: http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/-irsc/bdrlnk2000 . pdf <br />