Between
the Campus Area and the Western Ranches lie two parallel watersheds--Chorro Creek
and Dairy Creek. Land in these watersheds belongs to Los Padres National Forest,
the California National Guard, and the San Luis Obispo County department of Parks
and Recreation.
Chorro
Creek and its tributaries flow down Cuesta ridge into California Men's Colony
and Camp San Luis. This whole watershed has been severely disturbed by quarrying
and mining, by military maneuvers, and by the Highway 41 fire.
Dairy
Creek and its tributaries flow down Cuesta ridge into Chorro Park and the Dairy
Creek Golf Course. Dairy Creek Canyon retains a rich savannah and oak woodland
ecosystem despite the fire, perhaps because of the absence of severe human incursions.
