San Luis Rey River

The San Luis Rey River Watershed drains about 558 square miles and is also a priority river. Some of the larger tributaries of the San Luis Rey River include Pauma Creek, Pala Creek, Agua Tibia Creek, and Ostrich Creek. 

History facts tell us that in 1798, Father Fermin Lausen from Spain arrived at the estuary of the San Luis Rey River and established the Mission San Luis Rey in the name of Spain. Here, Father Lausen wanted to convert to Christianity the nearly 10, 000 Native Americans that lived in the area. He also taught the Native Americans to grow row crops, and to raise large herds of cattle and sheep. By 1829, Father Anthony Peyri began construction of the Capilla de San Antonio in Pala Valley. One of the purposes of the "satellite" mission was to provide a new location for further exploration of the area. Both missions were built near the banks of the San Luis Rey River so that the water of the river could be used for irrigation and drinking.

During these times, the San Luis Rey River Watershed was filled with agricultural activities. But by 1848, the land was named California, and joined the union as the 31st state. As Americans began to travel to the "new" Southern California coast, the San Luis Rey River watershed began to see more families and other travelers settle in the area. Like the Native Americans that lived in the Santa Margarita River area, the Native Americans in the San Luis Rey River Watershed settled onto small reservations of land. 

By 1911 many large ranchos were built in the area. Perhaps the ranchers had not realized the importance of the water from the river, because William Henshaw purchased all the water rights along the entire length of the river and constructed the Henshaw Dam. Eventually, the Dam and the water rights were purchased by a water delivery company so that drinking water could be stored and provided to the communities of Escondido and Vista. 

The river still supports dairy cattle, nurseries, orchards, and sand mining operations. It twists and winds its way through woodlands, five Native American reservations, and several valleys. It also flows through densely populated areas like Oceanside. Although many portions of the river contain no surface flow part of the year, water can be found just below the surface of the soil. This water too will continue to travel down or beneath the river and through the watershed on its long journey back to the ocean. 

                                                Last Updated: June 10, 2008