“Marsh Creek is the second largest Watershed in Contra Costa County. Marsh Creek originates 2,000 feet up the eastern slope of Mt. Diablo, approximately 35 miles east of San Francisco. It is one of the fastest urbanizing watersheds in California, and the creek flows for 30 miles through the rapidly growing communities of Brentwood, Oakley, and Antioch in eastern Contra Costa County and into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Marsh Creek forms an important ecological link between the Delta and the Diablo Rangeland and offers a vital natural refuge among multiplying subdivisions. Marsh Creek is also uniquely situated and provides significant spawning habitat near the mouth of the productive Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, so is therefore a priority watershed for restoration of salmon habitat in the Bay-Delta System.” (“Marsh Creek”, American Rivers).

To better understand the extent of the Marsh Creek Watershed, you can follow a drop of water from Mt. Diablo into the Delta using the River Runner Sam Learner tool. You can access the tool below.

The Marsh Creek Watershed Council is a voluntary, non-regulatory forum to achieve integrated, long-term watershed planning, management and funding, and increase communication and access to information regarding the watershed. This group began to come together and hold meetings in the Spring of 2022. 

Meetings are typically held on the last Tuesday of the month from 4:00 to 5:30pm. These meetings take place both on Zoom and in-person, depending on the month. 

The 2023 MCWC meetings are planned to occur on: January 31, February 28, March 28, April 25, May 30, June 27, July 25, August 29, September 26, October 31, November 28, and December 26. These dates are subject to change.

Please click the box below for more information and to join the MCWC email list.

Many people and groups have been monitoring water quality in Marsh Creek since 2000. Water quality can tell us important information about the health of a creek including if it is too warm for certain kinds of fish, and if water quality is improving or getting worse over time.

In the city of Oakley, at Creekside Park, American Rivers has been working in partnership with East Bay Regional Park District, the Contra Costa County Flood Control District, East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, and the city of Oakley to increase the restored riparian area and floodplains along Marsh Creek. This is a multi-benefit restoration that is bringing over 700 linear feet of the creek back to life on 2.4 acres of land. This project provides habitat for native fish and wildlife, improves water quality, increases resiliency to a changing climate, and enhances the experience of those hiking along the Marsh Creek Trail. This project also aims to improve the quality of life for Delta residents in one of the most densely developed areas of the region by reducing flood risk, improving recreational opportunities, and providing a place to make meaningful connections with the natural world of the Delta region.

The Three Creeks Parkway Restoration Project is a multi-benefit flood control, creek restoration, and public access project. Construction was completed in January 2021 and involved widening the Marsh Creek channel along approximately 4,000 linear feet near downtown Brentwood and creating a floodplain bench. Planting of native vegetation took place from January through April 2021 and will continue until spring 2023. The project will provide quality habitat for Chinook Salmon and Swainson's Hawk and create a shady parkway, improving recreational and educational opportunities along the Marsh Creek Regional Trail and for residents around Contra Costa County.