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Contaminant Loads from Stormwater to Coastal Waters in the
San Francisco Bay Region:

Comparison to other pathways and recommended approach for future evaluation

Prepared by
Dr. Jay A. Davis, SFEI, Dr. Lester J. McKee, SFEI,
Mr. Jon E. Leatherbarrow, SFEI, Mr. Ted H. Daum SFEI

September 2000

Abstract

Abstract: The California Legislature, through Assembly Bill 1429, mandated that action be taken to address gaps in knowledge of contaminant discharge to California's coastal waters. San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI), the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP), and the California State University Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) were directed by the legislation to collaborate and produce a report for the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) detailing current information for the whole California Coast.

The San Francisco Bay report prepared by SFEI contains estimates of mass emissions to the Bay from the nine county areas immediately adjacent to SF Bay. Where there were sufficient reliable data available, estimates were made for: 1. Stormwater runoff, 2. Effluent discharges, 3. Atmospheric deposition, 4. Dredged material disposal, and 5. Loads from the Central Valley for a comparison. The report includes details of the methods used, a discussion that includes the pitfalls associated with the simple model used to calculate loads, and recommendations for improving Stormwater loads evaluation.