Creek Clues - the secret life of the creek
Watershed

A watershed is the area of land from which all surface water flows to a particular stream or body of water. The boundaries of a natural watershed are ridges and the higher ground between valleys. Humans alter these patterns by constructing dams, underground pipes or culverts, and other structures. Because conditions throughout a watershed all affect the stream, they must all be considered when trying to manage storm flows, improve water quality or restore living conditions for fish and wildlife.

Glen Echo Creek (view Watershed map) is part of the Lake Merritt watershed, which gathers rainfall from the PANIL area as well as Trestle Glen, lower Park Boulevard and most of Piedmont. Unfortunately stormwater also washes litter and trash from streets and sidewalks, carrying it into storm drains that connect directly to the creeks.

Last year City workers and the Lake Merritt Institute removed 38,000 pounds of litter from the lake, which helped put it on USEPA's "impaired waterbodies list"-a distinction it could do without. (9/00)

Riparian Zone

A riparian zone is the area bordering a stream or river. A healthy riparian zone is crucial for maintaining a healthy creek ecosystem, as well as preventing erosion and providing important habitat for birds and other wildlife.

www.oaklandpw.com Oakland's Creek Protection Ordinance recognizes this and requires special review of many projects on creekside properties, including patios, retaining walls and sprinkler systems. In addition, litter, detergent and other pollutants that get into storm drains anywhere in our neighborhood go right into the creek!
(12/99) Riparian Zone Illustration

Although many people think a creek is just the central channel where water flows most of the time, a healthy creek is actually a whole system consisting of several zones. Low-lying floodplain areas next to the channel provide a safety outlet during higher flows, allowing storm water to spread out across the floodplain and slow down. In contrast, when stream channels are narrowed and confined between walls or steep banks, the water flows faster and deeper during storms; the additional force then causes more erosion (washing away) of the bank and floodplain downstream. (4/00)

Dumping is a major problem in many Oakland creeks. While most people recognize that trash and man-made chemicals should not go in the creek, few realize that yard waste, leaves and soil also pollute the creek when dumped directly within the banks or floodplain. In a natural streamside riparian zone, dense plant growth would trap such materials and keep most of them out of the creek. When large amounts are placed where water will flow, yard waste may clog culverts, or the creek may respond by trying to rearrange its banks during peak storm events. In an urban setting, either of these scenarios can lead to unacceptable flooding, erosion or property damage. (10/00)

Report pollution and dumping