Regional Watersheds Program

The Regional Watershed Program conducts management- and policy-related scientific research on the physical, chemical, and biological function of the watersheds and urban catchment of San Francisco Bay. Areas of research include geomorphology, hydrology and sediment transport, contaminant source investigation, contaminant hydrology, testing the effectiveness of Best Management Practices (BMPs), and modeling loads and BMP selection alternatives. Research projects are carried out through collaborations with government managers and scientists, the private sector, and academia. more >

Program Manager: Lester McKee, Ph.D.

Meetings and Events

There are no scheduled events.

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Featured Projects

Alameda Creek Watershed Sediment Forum

Alameda Creek is the largest watershed in the Bay area draining approximately 650 square miles of the East Bay interior hills and valleys, including the Livermore-Amador and Sunol valleys.

Critical Coastal Areas

Phase II of the CCA Program is designed to build on the preliminary assessment conducted under Phase I, which was completed in 2007. A key goal is to demonstrate the validity and applicability of various predictive tools to local government and other implementers of Best Management Practices (BMPs) under each set of applicable Management Measures.
Urban Stormwater BMPs - (Prop 13)

Nonpoint source pollution has been identified nationally, in the State of California, and in the Bay Area as the leading source of degradation of natural waters.
Napa River Watershed Profile

Past and Present Alluvial River Function in the Napa River Watershed and Implications for Future Management and Essential Ecological Services
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News and Notables

Jul-29-11
SFEI Mercury Scientists present at the International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant

Jay Davis, Lester McKee, Don Yee, Nicole David, and Aroon Melwani presented at the International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Dec-20-10
SFEI Scientist interviewed for San Francisco Estuary Project short film

Lester McKee and Sarah Pearce were interviewed in SF Estuary film short titled "Cut the Curbs to Claim the Rain."

Nov-28-10
News Article on PCBs in the Environment

An article in the San Jose Mercury News on PCBs in the Bay Area quotes Jay Davis and Lester McKee.

Aug-29-10
Restoring Napa River

SFEI's Napa Valley Historical Ecology Study appears in feature story on the river and its history.

Aug-23-10
Urban Design Elements Filter Pollutants

According to Nicole David, initial results show a 40% reduction in PCBs and mercury to an over 80% reduction in PAHs and heavy metals resulting from rain gardens and bioswales in the parking lot of the Daly City Public Library.