Guide to San Francisco Bay Area Creeks

San Francisco Dunes &
Groundwater Basins

The Richmond, Sunset, Western Addition, and Financial Districts of San Francisco were lacking in creeks. These areas were covered with sand dunes. Because of the permeable soils, rainwater soaked-in immediately. Yes, these areas are watersheds, but the water flows away in underground aquifers. Much of the western area feeds Lake Merced; other areas flow towards the Ocean, or SF Bay. Today, when heavy storms raise the water levels of these aquifers, they flood into many people�s basements.

Click on dunefield for watershed map

Watershed maps, click to enlarge
Lobos Creek Watershed
North Beach Watershed
Lobos Creek Watershed
North Beach Watersheds
Dunefield, Northwest
Mission Creek Watershed
Dunefield, Northwest
Mission Creek Watershed
Dunefield, Southwest
Dunefield, Southwest
San Francisco 1869-2007
Washerwomans Lagoon
Lake Merced Watershed
Washerwoman's Lagoon
     
The Great Sand Bank
Lakes and Ponds
Sandy Hills

Information Resources:

SAN FRANCISCO COMBINED SEWERS
SF Presidio Recent Sand Dunes
Ecology of Sand Dunes

 
Peninsula Regional Resources

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Upper Peninsula Watersheds
Glossary
North Beach Watersheds Mission Creek Watershed Lobos Ck. Watershed San Francisco Dunes, Northwest San Francisco Dunes, Southwest Lake Merced