Mark West Creek

Mark West Creek – Northeast Santa Rosa, CA

Val Mulcaire, Grif Okie, and the Friends of Mark West Watershed Group are concerned citizens in the Mark West Creek neighborhood. The focus of this project is to identify pollution sources and problems in water quality, and use data collected to develop fact sheets and educational materials for the general public highlighting best management practices and strategies for reducing pollution.

Mark West Creek topo map
Mark West Creek watershed.

Site Descriptions
MWC012: Beach at Mirabel Trailer Park & Camp Ground, 7600 River Road in Forestville
MWC040: Near second intersection of Deerwood Drive and Hop Ranch Road, 1/4 mile downstream from bridge at Old Redwood Highway
MWC095: Near St. Helena Rd., Santa Rosa


Mark West Creek Monitoring Plan

Objectives: The focus of this project is to identify pollution sources and problems in water quality, and use data collected to develop fact sheets and educational materials for the general public highlighting best management practices and strategies for reducing pollution.

When: The project’s orientation and initial sampling dates:
MWC012: 10/01/2006
MWC040: 1/29/2004
MWC095: 11/29/2004

Why: Parameters were chosen according to general interest to citizen monitors, and relation to erosion impacts. Sites were chosen according to the following criteria:
– Representative of the areas of the Creek for general creek characterization.
– Concerns of water pollution resulting from potential erosion from upstream timber harvests
– Concerns with pollution and flow interference from gravel mine operations
– Accessibility and safely throughout the year, as well as trespassing constraints.

How: The monitoring program is intended to develop baseline characterization data, document water and habitat quality changes over time and to help establish a scientific basis for land use decisions. Sites and parameters were chosen after discussions with local residents.

Citizen Monitors
Mary Agneberg
MWC012: Truston B. Davis
MWC040: Val Mulcaire
MWC095: Grif Okie – Friends of Mark West Watershed