Agency Details:

Bay Model Visitor Center

The Bay Model Visitor Center promotes public understanding of the mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Pacific Division. The Bay Model Visitor Center fosters public support and stewardship of the aquatic, historic and cultural environments of the San Francisco Bay region relating issues via the simulated model of the San Francisco Bay and Delta. The Visitor Center utilizes the San Francisco Bay Model to link community assets and expand environmental education.

Description:
The Bay Model is a three-dimensional hydraulic model of San Francisco Bay and Delta areas capable of simulating tides and currents. The Model is over 1.5 acres in size and represents an area from the Pacific Ocean to Sacramento and Stockton, including: the San Francisco, San Pablo and Suisun Bays and a portion of the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta.

History:
To understand how the water flows in the Bay, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the San Francisco Bay Model in 1957. We were able to study this large system due to the fact that the model of the Bay is much smaller than the actual San Francisco Bay and Delta, approximately the size of two football fields. The time scale,running 100 times faster than nature, permits us to observe a long sequence of events in a short time period.

The hydraulic model, the largest of its kind, was used as a scientific research tool from 1958-2000 to evaluate circulation and flow characteristics of the water within the estuary system associated with the geometry or shape of the Bay and related waterways. Assessments could be made regarding the impact of man's activities such as dredging navigation channels, filling portions of the Bay, diverting water, introducing wastes and oil spills. Although the model does not look exactly like the bay or delta, its action is similar. Think of the model as a simulator of bay and river conditions, rather than as a model of familiar landmarks.

For more information on the history of the Bay Model please visit:

http://www.spn.usace.army.mil/bmvc/bmjourney/the_model/history.html

Contact person: Keley Stock, Chief Volunteer Officer, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (415) 332-3871
Office fax number: (415) 332-0761

Address:

2100 Bridgeway Blvd Sausalito, CA 94965 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.spn.usace.army.mil/bmvc/index.html

Directions:

FROM HIGHWAY 101 SOUTH Take Sausalito - Marin City exit. At the light, turn left, passing underneath Highway 101. At the next light, turn right onto Bridgeway. You will see small brown and white signs on your left directing you towards the Bay Model. At Harbor Drive, turn left and then immediately turn right onto Marinship Way (Mollie Stone’s will be to your left, Kinko’s to your right). Follow the signs to the Bay Model, which is located between Marinship Way and the waterfront. After parking in our free lot, enter the Bay Model Visitor Center from the waterfront (i.e., east entrance facing SF Bay). FROM HIGHWAY 101 NORTH After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, take Alexander Avenue exit. Bear right and continue downhill into the town of Sausalito. After passing through downtown Sausalito, continue along Bridgeway. At the lights at Marinship Way (7- Eleven will be on the left), turn right. Continue downhill and straight. At the first stop sign, turn right. Follow the signs to the Bay Model, which is located between Marinship Way and the waterfront. After parking in our free lot, enter the Bay Model Visitor Center from the waterfront (i.e., east entrance facing SF Bay).   Nearest Bus Stop: 22, 10, 5min minute walk

Last updated on July 23, 2009