On Saturday, July 14, the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) will reopen the north side of the Los Vaqueros Watershed to the public with a day of free activities.

In April of 2011, CCWD closed the north side of the watershed during the expansion of the reservoir. Now that construction at the dam is complete, CCWD welcomes the public back to the watershed. No entry or parking fee will be charged.

All are invited to enjoy programs exploring the watershed’s biodiversity, the area’s cultural history and the reservoir’s expansion.

The following drop-in activities are hosted at or begin at the Interpretive Center:

NATURE HIKE ALONG KELLOGG CREEK – 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

This easy-to-moderate hike will be led by local naturalist John Mottashed, who will share his knowledge of the watershed and local flora and fauna along the way.

ALL ABOUT BIRDS – 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mottashed will share his portable bird museum and discuss the various species living in the watershed.

NATURE ARTS AND CRAFTS – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Local naturalist Briana Moore will help participants make take-away crafts, including a nature refrigerator magnet.

SPIDERS AND SNAKES – 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Local naturalist Mike Marchiano will share his menagerie of snakes, spiders and other crawly critters.

NATIVE AMERICAN CRAFTS – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ramona Garibay and family will demonstrate how Native Americans used soap root and made such objects as cords and ropes using natural fibers, abalone shell beads and pendants, and acorn mush.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DAM EXPANSION – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

CCWD staff will present new displays about the dam expansion and discuss the recent construction. The session concludes with a short hike from the Interpretive Center up to the top of the dam, so you can see it all for yourself.

For more information, visit visit www.ccwater.com.