Description: This is Modesto's wastewater's last stop prior to being released into the San Joaquin River. The treatment plant and its surrounding canals, fields, and ponds is one of the best birding spots in Stanislaus County. Access is limited. This site is no longer “Sewer Ponds” but an industrial facility with a major construction process incorporated in its daily life for the next 10 years or so. They have designated the second Saturday each month for the birdwatchers between 7:45 AM and 3:00 PM only. A 5 day advance notice is required. Ph.: 209- 342-4501.

Email: Sonya Morton    smorton@modestogov.com  (Primary contact, 342-4504) OR Joel Lindsey   jlindsey@modestogov.com  (Secondary contact, 342-4512)

Visitors will be met at the front gate and must sign in at the front office and receive a map of the facility, written instructions and sign a liability waiver form. After the visit they will need to sign out.

Directions:  
From Modesto take Carpenter Rd. or Crowslanding Rd. south. Turn right (west) on Keyes Rd. Continue west on Keyes Rd. to the stop sign at Jennings Rd. Turn left (south) on Jennings Rd. The entrance to the facility is past Keyes Rd on the right. at the bend in the road.

From Hwy 99 in Turlock take West Main Rd. (west) 10.4 miles and turn right (north) on Jennings Rd. The entrance to the facility is 2 miles ahead on the left, just before the bend in the road.

Birding Information: The ponds are a magnet for waterfowl and shorebirds during the appropriate time of the year. Thousands of waterfowl and shorebirds in the winter make this a spectacular place to visit. The list of bird species is rather lengthy: Horned Grebe, White-faced Ibis, Brant, Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Surf Scoter, Hooded Merganser, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, Pacific Golden-Plover, American Golden-Plover, Snowy Plover, Willet, Wandering Tattler, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Long-tailed Jaeger, Franklin's Gull, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Glaucous Gull, Sabine's Gull, Black Tern, Common Tern, Bank Swallow and Swamp Sparrow.

“IT’S FOR THE BIRDS”

The Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant of the City of Modesto is once again open for bird watching by appointment only.  We are making our plant accessible to the public on the second Saturday of each month for bird watching. 

The process is as follows:

·       Make an appointment at least 5 days in advance by calling 209-342-4501

·       Meet operator at the gate at the agreed time

·       Sign in at the Main Office in the visitors book

·       Fill out the Liability Release form provided

·       Pick up a map which clearly identifies the areas open to the public

·       Speed limit is 25 mph maximum

·       Do not cross any bridge with a vehicle. 

All bridges are off limits to the public

·       Hours of Birding are from 7:45 am – 3:00 pm

Our location is 7007 Jennings Road, Modesto, CA 95358

Main office phone is 209-538-3256 and the operator phone on Saturday is 209-652-8662.

New Visitation Restrictions and Access Map

Please read this notice from the management at the ponds:

Special Notice from the Secondary Wastewater Facility