A discharge at such levels scours the stream's banks, eroding sand and undercutting streamside vegetation and trees. In addition, hundreds of storm drains located throughout residential and commercial developments transport stormwater runoff directly to the stream. The combination of effluent from the sewage treatment plant and excessive stormwater impairs water quality downstream because silt and sediments block sunlight and increase turbidity.
Excessive discharge causes severe erosion along the stream's banks, removing sand and damaging vegetation and trees. Additionally, numerous storm drains in residential and commercial areas channel stormwater runoff directly into the stream. The mixture of sewage treatment plant effluent and excessive stormwater clouds water quality downstream due to sedimentation and increased turbidity.