Marin Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marin Creek(Upper) Marin Creek Village Creek (Lower Marin Creek) |
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Daylighted portion of lower Marin Creek (Village Creek) in the Gill Tract, UC Village area
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 Location of the mouth of Marin Creek in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Alameda County |
| City | Berkeley and Albany, California |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | springs Berkeley Hills 37°53′24″N 122°16′31″W / 37.89000°N 122.27528°W |
| River mouth | Eastshore embayment, San Francisco Bay Albany Beach, United States 37°53′19″N 122°18′31″W / 37.88861°N 122.30861°W |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Codornices Creek |
Marin Creek is a small stream in California. It flows into another stream called Codornices Creek. The lower part of Marin Creek is also known as Village Creek.
Contents
Marin Creek's Journey
Marin Creek starts in the Berkeley Hills. It flows through the cities of Berkeley and Albany. Finally, it reaches San Francisco Bay.
For much of its path, the creek flows underground in pipes called culverts. But in some places, especially near San Pablo Avenue and through the University Village area, you can see the creek flowing openly.
Bringing the Creek Back to Light
A part of Marin Creek was "daylighted" when a Target store was built. This means the creek, which was once hidden underground, was brought back to the surface. It now flows openly between the Eastshore Highway and the Union Pacific train tracks.
The creek eventually flows into a slough, which is a muddy channel. This slough also connects with Codornices Creek and Schoolhouse Creek. Much of this slough has been filled in over time. It is located between the Golden Gate Fields racetrack and the Eastshore Freeway.
Protecting Marin Creek
Community groups help take care of the open parts of Marin Creek. One of these groups is called Friends of the Five Creeks. They work to keep the creek healthy and clean.
In the early 1900s, a section of the creek flowed down the middle of Marin Avenue in Albany. This part of the creek was later put into culverts, meaning it was covered up.
Why Culverts Can Cause Problems
Putting creeks into culverts can sometimes lead to problems like flooding. This is because the water has less space to flow naturally. It can also cause drainage issues in areas like Albany. Experts now know that covering up creeks is not always the best way to manage water.
Restoring Village Creek
The University of California Berkeley has worked to "daylight" a section of Lower Marin Creek, also known as Village Creek. This project brought 900 feet (about 270 meters) of the creek back to the surface.
This section of the creek was designed to be an 1,125-foot (about 340 meters) long habitat. It covers about 0.77 acres (0.31 hectares). The main goals were to restore the natural environment for plants and animals and to protect the community from large floods.
Images for kids
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A short stretch of Lower Marin Creek in the UC Village area of Albany, East Bay, California, has been daylighted
