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TIDINGS
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES

September, 2000
VOLUME V
ISSUE IX

Monthly Speaker Series
If the enclosed list of speakers doesn't get you out of the armchair, what will? Plan to join us each month for an informative presentation by an expert so that we can all learn more about the Lake and its possibilities. At the September meeting we will hear about how the East Bay Municipal Utility District manages problems and opportunities similar to those we have at Lake Merritt. Some aspects will be different; some will be similar; but bring an open mind and perhaps there will be ideas we can implement here. Unfortunately, we will not have a speaker from the East Bay Regional Park District. Their administration decided that supplying a speaker on the topic: Do fishing and birds co-exist, would be too controversial. Another example where politics prevails over science. Better to keep quiet than discuss your programs and policies. Right?

Note: Volunteers are needed before and after the meeting to set up chairs and tables, prepare coffee, tea, etc., purchase goodies to eat, and put away the chairs and trash. Call Dr. Bailey for details.

New Boating Center
Mark your calendars for dedication of the new Oakland Boating Center on Saturday October 28th at 4:00. Located at the mouth of Estuary Channel (where it meets the Oakland Inner Harbor) the new Center will provide docks, classroom space, sailing lessons and more. But don't worry, the old boating center will not go away, and you will still be able to rent boats on Lake Merritt.

NEWS / BIOLOGY - County Pump Station
Alameda County is considering a project to modify the gates (4 inch bars) through which the tides, trash (and all forms of life in the water) must pass before entering or leaving the Lake. The purpose of the bars is to keep debris out of the intake and discharge ports of the flood control pumps. But what else do the bars keep out? In decades past, large numbers of big striped bass would enter Lake Merritt, but only a few have been seen in the Lake since the pump station was installed in about 1970. Obviously, large fish cannot pass through the 4 inch openings (which are often clogged with algae, plastic bags etc.). It is also possible that the behavioral characteristics of other species would prevent them from moving through the structure. We can only guess what a very large steelhead (now federally listed as a threatened species along the Central California Coast) seeking spawning grounds would do when confronted with such an obstacle.

Is it possible to both protect the pumps and allow unimpeded access to the Lake and Bay? The Institute thinks it can be done, and has pleaded its case to the Regional Water Quality Control Board, which must certify the County project. Consider the following:

º The pumps only operate about 1% of the time (but when they are needed, they must be able to operate, or a flood could occur. º One side of the channel is the "discharge" side, where water always leaves the pumps, never enters. º Bars adjacent (parallel, not perpendicular) to the discharge openings would protect the pumps, but not block the channel. º When the pumps were turned on, the outflow would clear any material on the adjacent bars. º Narrow bars across the entire discharge channel could be kept up (open) on a garage door type opener, and lowered when the pumps were to be used, thus providing additional protection but only restricting fish 1% of the time. º Signs and alarms could be used to keep boats out of the discharge side, or bars that were 2 - 3 feet across could be installed. º A floatable debris collection system such as used in Long Island Sound could be installed to remove debris in the channel before it came near the pump station. What will the County do? A meeting is scheduled: Stay tuned.

City Projects
Status of the Master Plan
the Request for Proposals was mailed to consultants on Friday, August 18th. Proposals are due in to the City by late September. Hopefully a planning team can be hired by the end of October, and work can commence in November

Status of the Dock Repairs
The main docks at 1520 Lakeside were resurfaced in early August, and work on the Boating Center docks should start in mid September. AND, there seems to be private citizen interest in funding repairs of the East 18th St. Dock (Breakfast Club - is this a job for you)?

Status of Lakeside Park
is looking spiffy now that more flowers have been planted, weeds removed, trees trimmed, sidewalks washed, homeless camps cleaned up, areas paved, etc. etc.

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