Many (but not all) of the Delta’s current problems can be attributed to the southern location of the facilities that draw in water for the state and federal projects. ( For a pictorial look at this complicated place, check out this slideshow.) Debate rages on about the causes: is it water exports, altered flows, loss of habitat, contaminants, harmful non-native species, or something else? Add to that, some question whether the Delta’s levees can withstand earthquakes or strong storms, and the rising sea levels and other climate change impacts only add to the disputes. Despite many failed attempts to address the Delta’s issues, today the Delta is undeniably in a state of crisis, as evidenced by plummeting populations of several of the Delta’s threatened and endangered fish species, some to new historic lows. The Delta is many things to many people: a magnificent estuary, fertile and productive agricultural lands, a popular recreation spot – it is also the hub of the state’s water system and the center of the water debate for decades. Delta advocates insist the Plan is too expensive and say that the new facilities will deprive the estuary of needed freshwater flows that will only hasten the collapse of the Delta’s ecosystem and native fish populations. Project proponents assert that such a project is needed to shore up the water supplies critical for the state’s economy and that the new infrastructure will benefit the Delta’s ailing ecosystem and native species by utilizing state-of-the-art technology and allowing for more natural flow patterns. Over the years, building some sort of bypass around the Delta has continued to be discussed intermittently despite setbacks and strong opposition, which seems largely decided by geography, with more opponents found in the northern part of the state with the most vocal perhaps from within the Delta itself. In the 1980s, plans were begun to construct such a canal, but it was put to a statewide vote, which was soundly defeated.īut the idea did not end there. It was originally thought of as part of the master plan for the State Water Project, but wasn’t included in the initial construction due to cost considerations. Trans-Delta System, Peripheral Canal, Bay Delta Conservation Plan, California Water Fix, and now, the Delta Conveyance Project – the idea of a canal to route water around the Delta is certainly not new. This page last updated on February 7, 2021. Though long sought by water interests, the project remains as controversial as ever. The roots of the idea go back to the 1970s. In exchange, a study the state conducted indicated 4,000 jobs would be lost in the Northern San Joaquín Valley, 130,000 acres of farmland would be valued and the regional economy would take a $12.9 billion hit.The plan to build a canal or a tunnel to move water around the Delta instead of through it is nothing new. And - if the state is correct in what its plans are to exclusively use the Merced, Tuolumne and Stanislaus rivers instead of touching the Sacramento River flow that Los Angles sucks up to protect the endangered Chinook salmon - it will severely hurt San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties.īy the state’s own admission, their plan to increase water flows would perhaps increase the number of Chinook salmon on the three rivers by 1,103 more fish. Imagine the tunnel implications to the ground water drinking supplies for Manteca, Tracy, Lathrop Stockton, and Ripon. Salt water intrusion will slowly kill off the ecological system as it spreads further west on a more routine basis.Īt the same time less seepage in the Delta means the aquifer under it will also be a victim of more salt water intrusion.īack in the 1989 drought, salt water was detected in deep wells as far east as Jack Tone Road. Of course, backers now say water diversion will only take place in times of excess precipitation and higher than average river flows.īut after the slight of hand Los Angeles did to destroy Owens Valley, who is naive enough to believe that once a tunnel is in place it won’t be used at some point during normal water years to rob the Delta of life-giving water.Īnd let’s not forget the damages the tunnel will do to the Delta and San Joaquin County where the most of the Delta land mass and waterways lie.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |