San Pablo Bay
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San Pablo Bay is a tidal
.Most of the Bay is shallow; however, there is a deep water channel approximately in the middle of the bay, which allows access to major ports in Sacramento, Stockton, Benicia, and Martinez; and other smaller ports on the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta.
Geography
San Pablo Bay was named after Rancho San Pablo, a Spanish land grant given to colonial Alta California settlers in 1815, on the bay at the site of the present-day city of San Pablo. The bay is approximately 10 mi (16 km) across and has an area of approximately 90 sq mi (230 km2).
The bay receives the waters of the
Two
Because the Bay is close to several major and local airports, but outside of the main air traffic corridors, it is a popular pilot training area.
Because of its great size but shallow waters, San Pablo Bay frequently has difficult boating conditions. The prevailing western wind meets strong currents both at Carquinez Straits and, at the opposite end of the bay, near the Richmond Bridge, to produce large waves, with few areas of retreats for most boats.
Ecology
There are many undeveloped shore lands with salt marshes and mudflats. The Bay is a primary wintering stop for the canvasback duck population on the Pacific Flyway, as well as a migratory staging ground for numerous species of waterfowl. Much of the northern shore of the bay is protected as part of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Popular culture
San Pablo Bay is the setting of alternative rock band Primus's four-part song series "Fisherman's Chronicles," and is also referenced in "The Toys Go Winding Down" and "Harold of the Rocks." It is also mentioned in The Minus 5 song "John Barleycorn Must Live." In Susan Choi's book, American Woman, which mirrors the Patty Hearst scandal of the 1970s, the Bay's waters are said to welcome main characters Jenny and Pauline home after they've traversed from the East coast.
See also
References
External links
- USGS: Sediment Changes in San Pablo Bay
- Gorp: San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- Highway to the Flyway:The Road to Restoration on San Pablo Bay from Bay Nature magazine, July–September 2007 issue. Provides a brief history of the marshes of San Pablo Bay.
38°04′N 122°23′W / 38.067°N 122.383°W
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