How We Manage Our Watershed Lands
Most of the water delivered to our customers comes from rainfall runoff flowing to our reservoirs from Marin’s natural lands. We manage 21,635 acres of land in District ownership, including 18,932 in the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed and 2,703 acres adjacent to the Nicasio and Soulajule reservoirs in west Marin. An additional 35,000 acres of privately owned watershed land drain into these two reservoirs.
The Mt. Tamalpais Watershed is one of Marin's most valuable natural resources as it is the major source of domestic water for our customers. We believe that the best way to assure high water quality is to keep the lands in a natural condition, which means limiting use by people to activities that have the least impact on the watershed. Within certain constraints, permitted activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing and picnicking. Camping, swimming and boating are prohibited.
Caring for nature, managing visitors and involving the public in watershed stewardship are the central tasks of our rangers, natural resource specialists and watershed maintenance staff. Their responsibilities include protecting resources, managing fire risks, assisting visitors, monitoring plants and animal populations, restoring natural habitats and maintaining access roads and trails.