Why does Catalina Island have such high water clarity?

Even when visibility is low in the upper layers, the clarity of the water is usually very good at depth. Extremely large schools of blacksmith, and sometimes barracuda, will flow through and over the huge boulders, making for quite a visual spectacle. read more

The pollution problem you've read about concerned Avalon Harbor, the bay attached to the island's only city. What made the water dirty wasn't sediment but bacteria, which were traced to an old and leaky sewer system that's since been renovated. The water in Avalon Harbor is no longer any more polluted than anywhere else. read more

For as long as anybody in the village of Avalon can remember, coping with a meager water supply has been an inescapable downside of life on Santa Catalina Island. read more

The Conservancy protects the natural and cultural heritage of Santa Catalina Island, stewarding approximately 42,000 acres (170 km 2) of land (88 percent of the island), 50 mi (80 km) of shoreline, an airport, and more than 200 mi (320 km) of roads. read more