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SECTION 2 Study Area Characteristics This section provides background information regarding the existing physical characteristics of the River Road Santa Clara basin. This information was used to assess opportunities and constraints for meeting the multiple- objective goals of this study. Specifically this section includes the following information for the River Road Santa Clara Basin: location and area; climate; land use and surface cover; land form; topography and slopes; surface water features and drainage system; water quality; rare, threatened and endangered plants, animals and communities; soils; groundwater; and recreational and educational facilities. 2.1 Location and Area 2.1.1 Regional Drainage Context Eugene is located in the western third of the Upper Willamette Drainage Basin as shown on Figure 2 -1. Drainage in the southern Willamette Valley is a combination of natural and built systems that have evolved over time. The natural system is composed of rivers, waterways, and a series of interconnected ponds and wetlands. Historically, the natural system had an extensive floodplain that typically experienced over -bank flooding every 1 -2 years. The built drainage system includes a series of dams, pipes, and waterways that were built to contain over -bank flooding, and to retain water for recreational and irrigation purposes. The primary drainage features of the Upper Willamette Drainage Basin are: Main Stem of the Willamette River, Middle Fork of the Willamette River, Coast Fork of the Willamette River, McKenzie River, Amazon Creek, Coyote Creek, and the Long Tom River. From 1940 to 1960, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built nine dams on this system. The cities of Cottage Grove, Creswell, and Springfield are all upstream from the City of Eugene and contribute urban runoff to the regional drainage system. Runoff from Cottage Grove, Creswell, and South Springfield flows through Eugene via the Willamette River. Approximately 4,800 acres of west Springfield's drainage area, as shown on Figure 2 -2, discharges urban runoff into the Q Street Floodway, which is within Eugene's public drainage system. Eugene's public drainage system refers to the system of stormwater facilities (i.e., pipes, ditches, open waterways) that Eugene is responsible for operating and maintaining. 2.1.2 City of Eugene The City of Eugene is currently responsible for managing the stormwater quantity, quality, and related natural resources for the drainage area within its city limits. The area outside of the City limits but within the urban growth boundary (UGB) is expected to be annexed into the city as urban development occurs. Therefore, this basin plan study includes both the current city limits and the Lane County area within the UGB. The Eugene- Springfield Metro Area General Plan (Metro Plan) boundary covers the city limits, the UGB and, in some cases, areas beyond the UGB. For the purposes of characterizing the study area in this chapter, the area covered includes the Metro Plan boundary. 0: 25695978 Eugene RR -SC Final Basin P1an\Master P1anTINAL 2- 2010\Master_Plan 3- 11- 10_FINAL_ Word _Version.doc 2-1