Lake Merced, the popular landmark amongst San Francisco locals, has displayed diminishing qualities over the past few years. The quality of water, lack of landscaping, and diminishing wildlife are just a few of the contributing factors to the decline of the lake and the surrounding area.

San Francisco native and Lake Merced local, Dwayne Erickson, warned that he believed the “water is poisonous” and “very toxic” despite the lake being fresh water. Proving the significance of his comment, the lake provides a caution to “not eat the fish or the birds” in six different languages.

Sara Matsuh ’23, former Saint Ignatius crew athlete (who practiced at Lake Merced), similarly said “It’s a nice body of water, but it’s kind of dirty… I’m pretty sure some people even get rashes if they go into the water fully.”

With lead going into the water from the now-closed Pacific Rod and Gun Club, and with the lake being given a tier 2 warning based off of recent monitoring according to “San Francisco Water Power and Sewer,” Matsuh’s comments ring true. 

 Taking into account the given information, the fact that wildlife stays in the Lake Merced area, is commendable considering the urban environment. 

Erickson remarked, “Out here I pick nasturtium flowers, blackberries, and huckleberries—absolutely delicious.” 

Like Erickson, Armando Castillo, moderator of the discontinued fishing club, also cherished the lake. “Lake Merced is a natural lake… and the fish were good, when the rainbow trout were dropped off, it was a different place.” 

William Wolcott ’23 also recalls people catching fish in the lake, but because of the prior information from Erickson regarding the toxicity of the lake, and because of multiple warning signs, the quality of fish is questionable.

Erickson also touched on a fact that leads to the motive for the restoration of Lake Merced, which is the fact that “there’s so much history here.”

English teacher Susan Sutton, who teaches San Francisco Stories, said, “Lake Merced is one of three natural, freshwater lakes in city limits. I used to fish there with my grandpa when I was a child.” 

Because of the history of the lake, the recent deterioration is noticeable, which has prompted the community to take action. 

Together SF, a nonprofit organization with a mission to “increase civic engagement and education within San Francisco,”  set the example by leading a community clean up on Sept. 19. 

Kanishka Cheng, founder of Together SF, hopes “it connects the dots for folks” that “you can actually make a real difference.” She insists that “this [cleaning your community] is just one way to do it.”

Another non-profit organization that hopes to restore Lake Merced is West Side Water Resources. They state that “water is life” and their mission is to “maintain water quality and abundance for the natural environment, for human consumption, and for enjoyment.”

While Lake Merced is struggling, the body of water is given hope because with the help of the community and the city, it has the potential to have a bright future.