At the foot of Golden Gate Bridge, Under the south end of Golden Gate Bridge, a sign stands near the seawall a short distance across the parking lot on the east side of the fort. The backdrop is an expansive view of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay.
The title appears over a view of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. An inset photograph, and an illustration of a measuring pole are also on the sign.
Sign Text in English and Spanish:
"In the 1850s, the US Army ranked this exposed, windy, and wave-beaten point as ideal for a major fortification to defend San Francisco Bay. This Civil War-era fort never faced enemy fire but is now under attack by rising seas and bigger storm waves. Earth's warming temperatures — mostly caused by human actions like burning fossil fuels — are melting glaciers, expanding sea water, and increasing storm intensity. How can we continue the army's legacy of defending our coasts in the face of sea level rise?"
The photo of San Francisco Bay includes
the orange Golden Gate Bridge. Fort Point is situated beneath an arch that supports the bridge on one side. An arrow points to a location near the fort: You Are Here. More arrows point to the surf around the fort.
Caption:
"Fierce currents and tides combine with rising seas, storm surge, and wave pile-up to make Fort Point vulnerable."
An illustration shows rising tides along a tall pole over time. "This pole marks projected future sea levels and storm surge levels. Rising waters could dismantle this venerable fortress." From bottom to top:
-Average high tide in 1865, the year Fort Point was completed: minus 1 foot.
-Average high tide in 2000: zero.
-Projected high tide in 2100: 3 feet.
-Current storm surge plus wave pile-up: 5 feet.
-Projected high tide in 2100 plus storm surge: 8 feet.
-Elevation of parking lot: 11 feet.
-Projected high tide in 2300: 12 feet.
-Projected high tide in 2300 plus storm surge: 17 feet.
On a photo of the side of the fort, three lines connect the fort to 3 feet, 8 feet, and 17 feet of sea level rise.
Caption:
"If you stand here in a storm, you will get wet. Those are strong waves! How can we protect this national landmark as rising seas undermine its foundations?"