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.

South Delta farm camp

A typical farm camp puncuating the horizon. The camp seen here is relatively new, but is similar to old camps in its dense organization of buildings shaded by a canopy of trees.

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.

Lower Delta topography

The topography of Mandeville and Bacon Islands and Holland Tract, to -20’ below sea level. Darker color represents lower elevation.

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.

Fishing in the Central Delta

Relaxing at the water’s edge, Twitchell Island tip.

Delta Wetlands Project islands

Left to right: Holland Tract, Bacon Island, Bouldin Island, and Webb Tract. 20,000 acres, evenly split between profit-generating

Delta Meadows view

Behind Locke is Delta Meadows, a favorite spot for boaters. it is one of the few unreclaimed areas in the Delta.

Delta Cross Channel gates

A view of the Cross Channel gates, shown in their closed position. The Delta Cross Channel is located in the north Delta between the historic towns of Locke and Walnut Grove, and is currently the most important element of the delta water redistribution infrastructure that is not a pump or an aqueduct.

Borrow Pit Exchange Authority

Diagram of the Borrow Pit Exchange Authority along I-5. Borrow pits were dug to provide fill for the I-5 roadbed. The pits filled with water and developed riparian habitat. Some are now wildlife preserves. The pits may come back into focus as their locations approximate the proposed Peripheral Canal location.

An Urbanizing Perimeter

Nearly the entire perimeter of the Delta is undergoing rapid urbanization, making the delta an increasingly important recreational space.

This diagram situates some of the speculative “exchange authority” elements proposed by the Delta National Park design team.