Jones Tract flood

View of Jones Tract flood, taken several months after flood occurred. They were still pumping.

Possible peripheral canal route?

Purely a speculative diagram, this route would take economic advantage of a number of “borrow pits,” so-called because they were created to provide fill for the construction of I-5. The pits are similar in dimension to the proposed “isolated conveyance facility.” Most are now riparian habitats, and some are protected wildlife preserves. The diagram also shows how the siphon infrastructure at intersecting rivers and sloughs could be designed to “freshen” the Delta’s waterways, improving Delta water quality and ecosystem health.

Isolated facility - eastern alignment alternative

The Eastern Alignment Isolated Facility is the latest preferred alternative of the planners of the ongoing crisis in California’s contentious debate over Delta water export.

Two components comprise the facility—The Eastern Alignment Isolated Conveyance Component, and Through-Delta improvements. The proposed EAIC would have 1/ a 41-mile canal skirting the eastern edge of the Delta; 2/ an intake facility near hood that would divert up to 15,000 cfs out of the Sacramento River before entering the Delta; 3/ 8 siphons over rivers and sloughs; 4/ 3 culverts under sloughs; 5/ 18 bridges over state highways and roads; 6/ 2 rail bridges

The through-Delta improvements would include: 1/ 75 miles of retrofitted setback levees; 2/ 60 miles dredged rivers and sloughs; 3/ barriers at Old River, Connection Slough and Woodward Canal; 4/ a siphon at old river to direct water to clifton court forebay.

Windfarm

The Altamont Pass windfarm.

Water Hyacinth, Trapper Slough

Water hyacinth was introduced to the Delta as an ornamental plant. It is aggressive, and has filled or partially filled several sloughs, making them impassable. The dense, mat-like cover also cuts off sunlight to the water below, affecting plants and animals living there.

Temporary barrier locations

South delta temporary barriers resolve conflicts between water quality and environmental advocates. Barriers similar to this one are a key component of the Peripheral Canal proposal, and are the sites of future speculative work by the DNP design team.

Sartini Manor - Farm Labor Housing

State-run farm workers’ camp near Thornton.

River Islands development plan

River Islands is a development proposed for Stewart Tract in the southeast Delta. It would build a new community protected by a “super levee.”  This new levee is seen by adjacent landowners as a breach in the long-standing agreement to build levees to the same height, thereby ensuring that all would share equally in the risk of flooding. If realized, River Islands would set a new precedent for in-Delta suburban development.

Delta Cross Channel sluice gate

The Delta Cross Channel sluice gate in its lowered position. The Cross Channel allows water to be redirected toward the water project pumps.

Levee Section Diagram - Land, Levee and Water

This photomontage describes the predicament that the Delta’s physical form puts those who are responsible for its future. Note the height of the land relative to the water.

Large property owners

Mandeville, Bacon, Venice, Staten, and Bouldin Islands are all owned by a single family or corporation.

Large Owner Axis

Large Owner Axis diagram showing past or present island owners and their source of wealth. The Large Owner Axis is a chain of islands that connect the two most important elements of the Delta’s water redistribution infrastructure.

The LOA is also the key axis of planned “through-Delta” water redistribution infrastructure proposals, whether or not these improvements are tied to the new Peripheral Canal proposal.

Jones Tract flood

Photograph showing the extent of the 2004 Jones Tract flood, which covered 10,000 acres.

Fishing, bridge and pump

Fishing among infrastructure in the Delta.

Delta Wetlands Project islands overview

Bouldin Island, Webb Tract, Holland Tract, and Bacon Island are the four islands that comprise the Delta Wetlands Project.

Delta watershed

The entire central valley drains into the Delta.

Delta Primary and Secondary Zones

The primary and secondary zones regulate land use in the Delta. The primary zone strictly limits uses to those associated with agriculture, and the secondary zone allows uses more loosely associated with agriculture. The secondary zone is the site of many creative interpretations of agricultural uses.

Delta flood occurrence since 1900

Delta Cross Channel Sluice Gate

Confused fish

Diagram describing how fish confused by the pull of State and Federal Water Project pumping are captured and trucked back to a part of the Delta where downstream is not affected by pumps.

CALFED Temporary Barrier Locations

CALFED diagram showing the locations of the temporary barriers. These need to be programmed for recreational use.

CALFED “Through-Delta” Proposal

One of CALFED’s scenarios calls for levee improvements through the center of the Delta linking the Delta Cross Channel to the Pumps. This territory coincides with the Large Owner Axis and the Delta Wetlands Project.

Borrow Pit Edge - Ground Leveling Precision

Edge of fields in the Borrow Pit Exchange Authority. Right to left is field edge, toe ditch, (riparian) levee bank and levee crest, the constituent elements of the Delta’s levee infrastructure.