Orange County Cleans Basin While Protecting Wildlife

When the Irvine Ranch Water District began draining the El Modena Basin in Orange, California this April, concerned neighbors spoke up for the creatures who call it home. Their voices sparked a wildlife protection effort that's turning infrastructure maintenance into a conservation win.

The basin sits in El Modena Park and serves as one of 47 natural treatment sites across Orange County that filter urban runoff before it reaches the Upper Newport Bay. After years of collecting sediment that reduces the system's effectiveness, the site needed a deep clean.

But the basin had become more than just a water treatment facility. Mallard ducks, wading birds, and other wildlife had made the wetland their home, relying on it for drinking water and habitat.

When drainage began, workers didn't just chase the animals away. Photos from the site show thoughtful touches like kiddie pools filled with fresh water, giving displaced ducks a place to drink while construction crews remove damaging sediment from the basin floor.

The project represents a growing recognition that urban infrastructure and wildlife habitat don't have to be opposing forces. Natural treatment systems like El Modena serve dual purposes, cleaning stormwater while creating green spaces that support biodiversity in developed areas.

The Ripple Effect

The community's willingness to speak up for local wildlife shows how much people value the natural spaces woven into their neighborhoods. That public care pushed officials to think creatively about protecting animals during necessary maintenance work.

The approach could become a model for similar projects across Southern California's 47 treatment basins. Small accommodations during routine maintenance can make the difference between displacing wildlife and keeping ecosystems intact.

The cleaning is scheduled to wrap up in early May, when the basin will refill and welcome back its feathered residents to a healthier, more effective wetland.