Stege Marsh facts for kids
Stege Marsh, also known as the South Richmond Marshes, is a special wet area in Richmond, California. It's a type of wetland called a tidal marshland, which means it's a low-lying area near the coast that gets flooded by ocean tides. This marsh is located in western Contra Costa County.
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What is Stege Marsh?
Stege Marsh is like a natural filter where a creek meets the San Francisco Bay. It's the delta (a landform created by sediment deposition at the mouth of a river) where Baxter Creek (also called Stege Creek) flows into the bay. This creek starts in the Berkeley Hills in El Cerrito and carries water down to the marsh.
The marsh is across from Meeker Slough, which is another water channel. Meeker Slough Creek also drains into Campus Bay, a part of the Richmond Inner Harbor in the San Francisco Bay.
Why is Stege Marsh Important?
Wetlands like Stege Marsh are very important for the environment. They help clean water, provide homes for many plants and animals, and protect the land from floods.
What Happened to Stege Marsh?
Sadly, Stege Marsh has faced some big challenges. In the past, a UC Berkeley Field Station and a company called Zeneca (which made sulfuric acid) were located nearby. These activities caused pollution in the marsh.
Because of this pollution, the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Quality Control Board called Stege Marsh a "toxic hot spot" in 1998. They even listed it as one of the "top 10 most polluted" places in the Bay Area.
What Kinds of Pollution are There?
The marsh contains harmful levels of chemicals. These include things like arsenic, mercury, and PCBs. These chemicals can be dangerous for wildlife and the environment.
Is Stege Marsh Being Cleaned Up?
Yes! Good news is that efforts are underway to clean up and restore Stege Marsh. Scientists and environmental groups are working to remove the pollution and bring the marsh back to health. This restoration helps protect the plants and animals that live there and makes the area safer for everyone.
