Sampling Locations for the Water Quality of San Francisco Bay Project

When and Where We Collect Measurements

This long-term research and observation project collects measurements along the deep channel longitudinal axis of the San Francisco Bay-Delta system sampling the full salinity gradient. Access the full dataset on our Data Query for the Water Quality of San Francisco Bay Project Page. Sampling began on the R/V Polaris and since 2016, continues on the R/V David H. Peterson, named for a late founder of the project. Currently we conduct vertical water column sampling at 37 fixed locations spaced 3-6 kilometers apart. Coordinates for current and historical stations are listed in the tables below.

The San Francisco Bay is comprised of different regions:

• South Bay (stations 21–36): a marine lagoon surrounded by densely populated urban landscape. Includes a sub-region of Lower South Bay (stations 33-36).
• Central Bay (stations 16-22): a deep basin connected to the coastal Pacific Ocean. It bridges the South and North Bays.
• North Bay (stations 657-15): the estuary of California’s two largest rivers, the Sacramento and San Joaquin. It is comprised of San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay, and the river stations.

As the goals of this research project evolve over time, the sampling frequency and spatial coverage have changed. Since 1993 we have conducted monthly cruises along the entire Bay-Delta system as part of the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay. Additional cruises in the South and Central Bay are conducted during spring and when rapid water quality changes associated with phytoplankton blooms are predicted.  Learn more about what we sample in San Francisco Bay. 

See the map and tables below for more detailed information about the sampling locations.

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Current Station Table

Station geographic locations, beginning with riverine end of cruise track.

* Sampling at this location for Station 34 began on 2/2/2016; for 1969 through 1/21/2016, the longitude degree was -122.093333.

Historic Station Table

Historic and non-standard stations geographic locations, temporal sampling range (first and last year data were collected), and mean low water depth.  

NOTE: From Aug 1999 through Jan 2002, Suisun Bay stations 405, 407 and 411 were sampled instead of standard channel stations 5, 6, and 7.