“How can a creek get dirty that would require volunteers to help clean it? Just by being water doesn’t it stay clean?” that was the question posed to us when we presented the last Colma Creek Clean-Up. And part of the answer is human laziness and the bad habit of littering. The good news is this is something we can control through education, fines, and yes, coming together to help clean what others dump in our creeks.
A bottle nose dolphin enjoying the creek much to the delight of locals in September 2012
Photo: ABC 7 News
Why does it matter if our creeks are litter free? Because creeks are the home to wildlife habitat and the biodiversity we find in and around San Francisco Bay is unique. In 2012 our creek was visited by a dolphin much to locals delight. And Colma creek is part of the San Bruno Mountain watershed and through the creek water pollutants are removed and improve water quality flowing to the bay. A creek also provides flood control and storm water drainage.
Litter carelessly tossed from El Camino Real reaches the Pacific Ocean after being drawn into the San Francisco Bay via Colma Creek. This is everyone’s problem since it has a huge negative impact on the creek and far beyond what most even imagine. There have been efforts to help reduce debris from fast food restaurants because it ends up in our creek and in our bay. And more directly some have taken to dumping tires, shopping carts and other trash straight off the shoreline. Regular clean ups do help with the health of the environment and educate neighbors as well.
Be part of making a difference in our community. Check out these before and after photos from the September 2012 Creek Clean Up! More ESC articles on this click HERE For some really great history on the Creek be sure to check out San Mateo Daily Journal‘s Darold Fredricks article from January of this year ‘Colma/San Bruno Creek’ click HERE
Debris along Colma Creek prior to clean up
Photo: Tom Carney
In September 2012 65 volunteers showed up to clean Colma Creek
Photo Tom Carney SSFFD
San Mateo County has been pro-active in reducing this blight and health concern by hosting regular community events aimed at education and volunteer creek clean ups. Partnering with the City of South San Francisco, the county through Flows to the Bay program will be holding another community clean up tomorrow Saturday May 17 from 9am-noon. Please consider joining in and come wearing long pants and closed toe shoes. Sunscreen, water and a snack are also recommended and restrooms will be onsite.
Meet up location is shown below. More info contact Carole Foster with San Mateo County at For questions, please contact Carole Foster at 650-599-1448 or cfoster@smcgov.org
[…] read more about our Colma Creek CLICK HERE which includes some photos of the return of Bottle Nose Dolphins in 2014 which delighted many neighbors as they began to […]