Bay Area Aquatic Resources Inventory (BAARI) is a detailed base map of the Bay Area's aquatic features that includes wetlands, open water, streams, ditches, tidal marshes and flats, and riparian areas. BAARI was developed using a Geographic Information System (GIS) with true color imagery and a suite of ancillary data sources to consistently map aquatic resources around the Bay Area. The draft GIS dataset was extensively reviewed by regional wetland scientists and stakeholders to ensure it is as accurate as possible. Aquatic features were hand-digitized while referencing ancillary national and local datasets for elevation, streams and wetlands. Google Earth aereal imagery was used for spotting seasonal variations. Learn more about BAARI mapping procedures and standards in the BAARI Standards and Methodology document.
BAARI is a living dataset that is periodically updated through a map stewardship effort. Local wetland scientists and managers can suggest updates to improve the accuracy and detail of the GIS dataset using the CARI Editor tool on EcoAtlas . This BAARI v2.1 dataset (available for download on this webpage) includes updates to stream and wetland features in the Marin, Sonoma and Santa Clara Counties. The GIS metadata (found in the downloadable zip file below) includes a more detailed description of all the updates in this updated version of BAARI.
This project was supported by EPA Grant # EM-00T34101 through a sub-agreement with the Bay Area Association of Governments (ABAG).
The Resilience Atlas is a compilation of cutting-edge science, creative visions and relevant spatial data to support planners, designers, policy-makers, and residents in the creation of the healthy cities, shorelines and surrounding landscapes of the future. The main goal of the Resilience Atlas is to make the science of resilience more accessible to help communities successfully adapt and thrive in the face of climate change and other challenges.
SFEI and the Santa Clara Valley Water District's Priority D-5 Project are assessing the distribution and abundance of wetlands, and the overall condition of streams in five major watersheds in Santa Clara County, CA by employing the District's Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Framework that includes BAARI and CRAM.
The Bay Area Aquatic Resources Inventory (BAARI) is a GIS base map of the Bay Area's wetlands, open water, streams, ditches, tidal marshes and flats, and riparian areas. BAARI was developed using standardized mapping protocols to ensure that the level of detail and wetland classification system is standardized across the region.