Downtown Oakland lake receives port funds

Downtown Oakland lake receives port funds The governing body of the Port of Oakland has authorized nearly $1.9 million in 'special services' funds, including a yearly contribution to the maintenance of Lake Merritt, a lake covering 155 acres near downtown Oakland.
   Sometimes called the Jewel of Oakland, Lake Merritt is the nation's only salt-water lake in a downtown metropolitan area. Originally part of the San Francisco Bay, the inlet neck was dammed in 1869 creating the present day lake.
   In 1963, the Wildlife Refuge at Lake Merritt was registered as a National Historic Landmark. It is the nation’s oldest wildlife refuge, covering 140 acres, with a shoreline of 3.4 miles around the lake. The lake's brackish water, which consists of fresh water and salt water ranging from eight to 10 feet in depth, is a home to shrimp, fish, birds, clams, and crabs.
   Since both Lake Merritt and the Port of Oakland, which oversees 19 miles of waterfront, have “tidelands trust” status as declared by the California State Lands Commission, the port is permitted to contribute funds to the city of Oakland to maintain the lake.