Hydrography of the San Francisco Bay Area

Due to low rainfall in the summer months (May–October), many Bay Area creeks are intermittent, flowing above ground only during part of the year.

As these aquifers get drawn down by pumping, there is increasing interest in ways to speed up the recharging of these resources.

Prior to the introduction of European agricultural methods, the shores of San Francisco Bay consisted mostly of tidal marshes.

In the South Bay, huge tracts have served as commercial salt evaporation ponds.

Success stories include Eastshore State Park and Crissy Field.

Many native and recovered wetlands are preserved in the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Ships also traverse the bay heading to and from ports in Stockton and Sacramento.

There is also an extensive commuter ferry system, which is being expanded by the San Francisco Bay Water Transit Authority.