Performance of the Bonita Channel Wetland Mitigation Area

The San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor (SJHTC) began construction of the Bonita Channel, an 8.5 ha wetland mitigation site, in 1996. The Bonita Channel accommodates all of the wetland mitigation area required for construction of the 31-km long SJHTC tollway that passes through a mostly undeveloped mountainous area in Orange County, California. It is located in a 170 m³/sec flood control channel, the wetland area includes utility corridors and bike paths. The Bonita Channel is located in a rapidly developing area of the City of New Port Beach California. Adjacent to it is a 6-lane high-speed tollway that acts as a buffer to the residential development. An old earth dam that has been previously re-vegetated to form another wetland area provides a constant source of water for the plants. At the downstream end of the Bonita Channel, there is an existing wetland area that leads to the ocean. The whole complex forms a large wetland area and a major wildlife corridor. El Nino and La Nina storms have struck the Bonita Channel during initial growth period of the wetland plantings. The channel has survived. Bike paths are in use by local residents and wildlife has taken up residency in the channel. The channel is performing very well and exceeds expectations for this facility.