The Adopt-a-Stream program began in 1998 with Edison High School.  Dr. Hernandez, the principal, contacted City and County Stormwater managers to secure resources and information for development of an environmental science course to focus on water quality standards and identification of pollutants causing impairment of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The school's goal was to increase recognition of water pollution problems and spark interest in research techniques, environmental science and job opportunities in the environmental arena.

In response, a coalition of students, faculty, DeltaKeeper members, and local government staff collaborated to develop the program. In the Adopt-A-Stream program, teachers and students adopt a waterway and perform chemical, physical, biological and microbiological testing to determine water quality. The model is then incorporated into their science curriculum.

A river clean up involving over 100 students marked Phase 1 of this stream adoption project. A schoolwide competition promoted a pollution prevention poster and logo. Businesses, community groups, individuals and city staff donated food, materials, equipment and expertise. In Phase 2, students from low income, multi-cultural, minority families went to work at the non-profit DeltaKeeper as part of a Summer Youth Program. Students assumed stewardship of a severely degraded stream, learning the chemical and physical parameters of stream monitoring; calibration and use of water quality monitoring instruments; water sampling procedures; lab analysis; and investigative techniques for point and nonpoint source pollution. In Phase 3, test sites along the stream were cleaned and groundwork established for an ongoing student stewardship.

The project has grown over the years, with many of our area high schools joining in, as well as the University of Pacific and three elementary schools.  With the exception of Bear Creek High School, most schools in the program work to maintain the streams but are no longer conducting the monitoring portion.  Other schools have not officially adopted a stream, but participate in Coastal Clean Up Day, Earth Day, or Make A Difference Day by participating in a stream clean up. 

If your school is interested in participating in the Adopt-a-Stream program or a stream clean up, please contact the Storm Water Outreach Coordinator at
(209) 937-8791.