Islais Creek

History of its Decline
Islais Creek is a small creek in San Francisco that has almost been completely destroyed by industrial efforts. It had once covered an area of about 5,000 acres, but is now roughly 80% of its original size due to urban development. The Gold Rush first marked the decline in the creek when large amounts of people started to inhabit San Francisco. Soon after, slaughterhouses were opened right next to the creek, and things really started to go downhill. The people literally referred to the creek as "Shit Creek" because garbage, animal waste, and unused meat products from the factories were dumped there. What's even worse is that after the major 1906 earthquake, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to dump earthquake debris into the creek. Today the majority of the creek is covered, and what's left to see in broad daylight is not much. Because the creek carries storm water, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater, it is possible for the sewage to overflow, which is a major health hazard.

In 2003, a major sewage spill occurred, ruining a park dedicated to the Ohlone tribe. This was the consequence of a MUNI construction project; tunnels were being drilled underneath Islais Creek to connect power and data cables from the north side of the creek (3rd Street) to the Hunters Point Power Plant. It had taken years for the park to become a sanctuary for local wildlife.

.