[2] The upland, which remains dry outside of the rainy season, supports plants which thrive with these drier conditions.

[5] In 1918 a drainage canal off the Los Angeles River was the first construction project which ultimately led to the end of the Dominguez Slough.

After the completion of this canal, during the next fifty years the slough was filled for various construction projects of the growing megalopolis of Los Angeles County.

The Corps recognized the area as a waterway under their jurisdiction and provided federal protection against further destruction of the wetland and the upland immediately surrounding it.

[9] Today the Dominguez Watershed is a complex system of storm drains and flood control channels.

[10] The native plants and soil of the preserve clean the water before sending it on to the Dominguez Channel which feeds to the Los Angeles Harbor and the Pacific Ocean.

[1] The preserve's 9.4 wetland acres (38,000 m2) host three vegetative communities: willow riparian forest, freshwater emergent marsh and transition zone.

These factors may be favoring the growth of the "willow dominated riparian forest" [1]: I-8  and moving the preserve away from being a vernal marsh.

[13] For example, a team of students from nearby California State University, Dominguez Hills was trained to manage fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and castor bean (Ricinus communis), two formerly very invasive plants at the Preserve, beginning in 2009.

[12]  Wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia) are greatly reduced from previous levels, but some plants, such as cheeseweed (Malva parviflora) and English Ivy (Hedera helix) are far from contained.

From the Trail, the public can access the Overlook Deck and ZigZag Bridge, both of which afford closer views, without disturbing wildlife.