Ariella Chelsky

This report provides a project update for year two of a three-year collaboration between the San Francisco Bay Nutrient Management Strategy (NMS), San Francisco Bay Regional Monitoring Program, and South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, to estimate high frequency suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in San Francisco Bay (SFB). Through its role in monitoring water quality in SFB, the NMS maintains an array of autonomous sondes that record high frequency (15-minute) water column turbidity, amongst a suite of other environmental parameters. Turbidity data from these monitoring sites was combined with discrete SSC samples to create a bay-wide turbidity-SSC calibration, allowing for estimates of high frequency SSC.

Suspended sediment concentration (SSC) is of critical importance to the management of San Francisco Bay (SFB), yet has not been a focus of sustained high frequency monitoring efforts in shallow shoal and slough habitats that make up a majority of the area of the South Bay (SB) and Lower South Bay (LSB). In this report, we provide a status update for year one of a three year collaboration between the San Francisco Bay Nutrient Management Strategy (NMS) and Regional Monitoring Program (RMP) with the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project (SBSPRP) to estimate high frequency SSC throughout the SB and LSB. As a part of this effort, 15-minute turbidity data from seven locations, collected as part of the NMS Moored Sensor Program (MSP), was paired with monthly discrete SSC sampling, with the goal of creating a robust turbidity-SSC calibration. An additional turbidity-specific sensor was also deployed and paired with discrete SSC sampling on the shoal near the Eden Landing Whale’s Tail. Here we present preliminary results from turbidity-SSC calibrations at these eight sites, which together span a range of environments (deep channel, shoal, slough) representative of SFB. Following completion of this calibration, resource managers will be able to convert continuous high-frequency turbidity data to SSC at locations throughout SB and LSB, greatly aiding future sediment-focused efforts

The overarching goal of the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay (RMP) is to answer the highest priority scientific questions faced by managers of Bay water quality. The RMP is an innovative collaboration between the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, the regulated discharger community, the San Francisco Estuary Institute, and many other scientists and interested parties. The purpose of this document is to provide a concise overview of recent RMP activities and findings, and a look ahead to significant products anticipated in the next two years. The report includes a description of the management context that guides the Program; a brief summary of some of the most noteworthy findings of this multifaceted Program; and a summary of progress to date and future plans for addressing priority water quality topics.

The overarching goal of the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay (RMP) is to answer the highest priority scientific questions faced by managers of Bay water quality. The RMP is an innovative collaboration between the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, the regulated discharger community, the San Francisco Estuary Institute, and many other scientists and interested parties. The purpose of this document is to provide a concise overview of recent RMP activities and findings, and a look ahead to significant products anticipated in the next two years. The report includes a description of the management context that guides the Program; a brief summary of some of the most noteworthy findings of this multifaceted Program; and a summary of progress to date and future plans for addressing priority water quality topics.