A group of volunteers will gather information measuring the impact visitors have on the health of Mission Bay this weekend.
Mission Bay is used by millions of people each year for a variety of recreational activities. The area is packed with visitors most holiday weekends.
Sarah Blakeslee, who is with San Diego Coastkeeper, says the volunteer effort started several years ago as part of the city's "Think Blue" program.
She said the idea is to measure and collect environmental data on the impact that visitors are having on Mission Bay during busy weekends.
Blakeslee says the information may lead to projects that reduce pollution.
"Like structural improvements or anything of that nature that will help reduce the environmental impact of the heavy amounts of traffic that are there," Blakeslee said.
She said the volunteers will be at De Anza Cove, counting people, trash, RVs and the number of boat launches. They'll also ask visitors how much they know about pollution and the effects on the bay.
Historically areas around Mission Bay have had more beach postings and closures than other beaches in the county because of high bacteria levels.