The San Francisco Bay
The Need for Restoration
[1] San Francisco Harbor in 1850
Over the past two centuries, agriculture, urban development, and salt production has significantly modified the San Francisco Bay. Since the discovery of gold in California in 1848, it is estimated that 85-90% of the bay has been changed [2]. San Francisco was a small settlement of 1000 residents in 1848, but because of the gold rush, the city's population increased to 25,000 people in two years [3]. As a result, increased sewage, oil spills, and garbage polluted the waters of San Francisco Bay [1].
The population of California continued to grow. By the mid 1900’s, more pollutants were introduced into the bay waters through agriculture, automotive waste and industry. To keep up with the growing population, the marshes and wetlands of the bay were filled, diked, and drained for agriculture, livestock and salt production [1]. As of today, 50,000 acres of the bay have been filled for development [2].
The population of California continued to grow. By the mid 1900’s, more pollutants were introduced into the bay waters through agriculture, automotive waste and industry. To keep up with the growing population, the marshes and wetlands of the bay were filled, diked, and drained for agriculture, livestock and salt production [1]. As of today, 50,000 acres of the bay have been filled for development [2].
Salt Production
[2] Cargill salt ponds.
The Ohlone Native Americans were the first to harvest salt from natural forming salt ponds in the South San Francisco Bay. The first commercial salt industry was built in 1854 and in 80 years, about half of the bay’s tidal marshes were converted to artificial salt ponds. During the peak of salt production, the salt ponds covered an area of 36,000 acres. Levees and tide gates were built to separate the different evaporation ponds for salt harvest, altering the natural flow of the bay waters [2].
Today, Cargill operates all salt production ponds in the San Francisco Bay and owns 4,500 acres of the 12,400 acres used to make salt [4].
Today, Cargill operates all salt production ponds in the San Francisco Bay and owns 4,500 acres of the 12,400 acres used to make salt [4].
