References

References

http://digitalsportsman.com/wetlands/fresh.htm

http://blog.sfgate.com/stienstra/2012/07/08/s-f-s-dirty-little-secret-the-lake-merced-cesspool/

http://museumca.org/creeks/1700-RescMerced.html

http://www.lmtf.org/FoLM/Data/SFSUReports/birds.htm

http://www.lmtf.org/FoLM/Data/SFSUReports/water.htm
http://www.lmtf.org/FoLM/Data/monthly_rainfall_level_from_1996.html
http://www.lmtf.org/FoLM/Data/SFSUReports/geology.htm
Map of lake merced found on google maps aerial view

What can be done to resolve this problem?

Certain groups such as the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Public Works created a project to minimize the damage caused by drain runoff. They introduced swales to catch runoff and keep it in the soil. This, however, eventually overwhelmed the soil and made it difficult for more sensitive native vegetation to grow healthily.

The Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency are lobbying a Recycled Water Management Plan. This would create plants around the city to recycle water and minimize the amount of drain runoff. These are the types of solutions we need.

We absolutely can not just minimize the damage done to Lake Merced. What we can do is improve the gutter system itself in order to prevent any more pollutants from entering the lake or the surrounding soil and let nature restore itself. We should also re-open certain channels to replenish the lake with fresh water and further increase the rate of restoration.

But how can we get this done? How can we send the message out that the Lake needs our help? Through awareness. We need to spread the message and help people understand the importance of voting for propositions that help restore Lake Merced. Through awareness and activism, we can bring back the crystal clear waters of Lake Merced for our children.

What kinds of wildlife are being threatened?

The native population of shrimp and marine life have been decimated. One would be lucky to spot a minnow in the murky waters. The pollution and lowered lake level have decimated the native ecosystem. However, we can still preserve the wildlife that is left.

Avifauna
Mainly, avifauna 48 species of birds live in Lake Merced year-round. 8 species use the lake during their nesting season and 13 species may breed or nest at the lake. Many of these birds are endangered or threatened. It is crucial that we take action now and prevent them from falling into extinction. Some of these endangered species include: the bank swallow

the saltmarsh common yellowthroat

 the California black rail

and the American peregrine falcon.

Vegetation

Vegetation played a large role in the formation of the lake. Sand that had been blown from the coast were trapped between the flora and created the dunes that surround Lake Merced. The native vegetation of Lake Merced consists primarily of shrubs and reeds that grow on the edges of the lake. There are a few chaparrals and oaks growing on the sandy dunes as well. Trees primarily line the outer ring of the lake closest to the road.

Consequences

If left unchecked, wildlife at Lake Merced and native vegetation will all but disappear and the city of San Francisco will be left with a toxic, putrid green pool. Not only that, but the vegetation that acted as a sand buffer would be gone and would cost the city thousands of dollars to clean up what the Lake had done for free.