California waterways

Model of a typical stage station, used to monitor river water levels and provide warning of floods.

This last weekend we went to the California State Fair in Sacramento. We were able to see many of the displays and vendor areas, as well as sample some of the famous and expensive fair food items.

One display that caught our attention was regarding the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. It was very informative and included a number of excellent visual demonstrations. There were also a number of brochures outlining facts about the delta. It seems that the delta these days is being faced with a number of challenges.

The delta as it exists today is controlled by a system of manmade levees, many of which are over 100 years old. They started out as a way to manage flooding of farmlands and houses. Since 1914 they have been regulated by the State Reclamation Board.

Today they also exist to control drinking water for 25 million people, support California’s trillion dollar economy and $27 billion agricultural industry. Wildlife that now depends on the delta include: 52 mammals, 22 reptiles and amphibian species, 225 birds and 5 species of fish. It is also home to 260 invasive species of plants and animals.

Recreation is another thing it is used for by over 12 million visitors annually. There are 290 shoreline recreational areas, 300 marinas and about 500,000 boaters. Sport fishing is also a big concern.

The two main rivers that feed the delta are the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. There are a number of lesser rivers supplementing this flow such as the Mokelumne, Cosumnes and Calaveras Rivers.

Over the last several years the Sierra snowpack has been below normal which allows for less runoff than normal during the summer. That runoff ideally is what keeps the river levels constant and thus keeps saltwater out of the delta.

Also, at the same time, many of the levees that surround the delta islands are getting older, some of which are in a state of decline. Levee breaks can be disasters of the first order, inundating homes and farms but also diverting some river water which in turn allows the salt water to move up into the delta.

There is a lot of controversy these days over what to do about the delta. The state assembly is constantly addressing legislation regarding the delta. Maintaining the delta is an expensive proposition and must rely on cooperation from much of the surrounding areas, mainly those areas the rivers flow from.

One brochure in their fact list stated: “Delta waterways are the single most important geographic feature of the State’s water resource system.” Maybe they should think again and state that it is one part of many in the state that is important to the State’s water resource system. Partnering with the other areas of the state instead of saying they are the single most important feature might get them further down the road to a workable solution.

Things like building more dams and other ways to control and maintain constant water flow may need to become a reality. These items need serious consideration and action if long term solutions are to be reached.

Trying to highlight the delta as the single most important water feature in the state is a mistake. But we have seldom seen any government project have long term success. At least we can not think of any recent ones.

Coincidently an article headlined “Local water leaders get look at DeltaVision” was on the Enterprise-Record website Tuesday, August 26, which addresses similar issues. We think it is worth reading. Maybe the Daily New will consider running this article if it hasn’t already.