IV-378 



The Bay presents few obstacles to reclamation through land fill. It 

 is shallow throughout much of its area, with 80 percent of the water 

 less than 30 feet deep and 70 percent less than eighteen feet deep 

 at low tide references. About 248 square miles of tidal and sub- 

 merged lands in the Bay are still susceptible to reclamation. If 

 these areas were filled and used for urban purposes, only 187 square 

 miles of the Bay would remain as deepwater channels for ships and 

 many portions of the Bay would be reduced almost to rivers. 



This example shows the magnitude of reclamation that can occur with- 

 out consideration of future consequences. A total damage assessment 

 has not been made, but there has been a drastic decline or elimination 

 of clam and shrimp fishing within the Bay. When nursery areas of the 

 size of San Francisco Bay are damaged this damage must be reflected 

 in the life of the adjacent coastal waters (IV-5-5). 



Mission Bay, San Diego, Calif. 



Mission Bay in California is one of the better examples of deliberate 

 modification to intensify use. In fact, this unique case demonstrates 

 what can be accomplished through coordinated Federal, State, and local 

 planning and construction. The end result has added considerable value 

 to the community and has preserved a portion of the estuarine environ- 

 ment in a metropolitan area (Figure IV. 5. 15). 



