San Joaquin River

CALFED Bay-Delta Program, Programmatic Record of Decision

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) | August 28th, 2000

The CALFED Bay-Delta Program is an unprecedented effort to build a framework for managing California’s most precious natural resource: water. California and the Federal

The CALFED Bay-Delta Program is an unprecedented effort to build a framework for managing California’s most precious natural resource: water. California and the Federal government in partnership, are launching the largest, most comprehensive water management program in the world. This is the most complex and extensive ecosystem restoration project ever proposed. It is also one of the most intensive water conservation efforts ever attempted. It is the most far-reaching effort to improve the drinking water quality of millions of Californians as well as an unprecedented commitment to watershed restoration. And it is the most significant investment in storage and conveyance in decades. This document is the Record of Decision (ROD) for addressing these efforts through a sustained, long-term effort by the CALFED Agencies and stakeholder groups.

CalFed Science Synthesis: Science Issues Related to Delta Conveyance Options for California Water Supply

CALFED | March 1st, 2008

On August 22 and September 11, 2007, the CALFED Science Program convened workshops to identify and discuss key scientific and technical issues pertaining to conveyance of

On August 22 and September 11, 2007, the CALFED Science Program convened workshops to identify and discuss key scientific and technical issues pertaining to conveyance of Sacramento River water through or around the California Delta to the state and federal water project export pumps in the south Delta. The first workshop focused on “isolated” conveyance facilities (such as a peripheral canal or pipeline) while the second workshop focused on through-Delta conveyance facilities (such as existing or proposed through-Delta natural or man-made channels, canals, or sloughs) to convey water. During the series of presentations and discussions by subject-matter experts, several important broad conclusions emerged and are discussed below. The two workshop summaries are attached to this synthesis of key points.

CALFED Staff Report: Summary Review of Prior Delta Conveyance Reports

CALFED | April 24th, 2008

Over the past 40 years, state, federal, and local agencies, as well as academics have conducted numerous studies about the best way to move water through or around the De

Over the past 40 years, state, federal, and local agencies, as well as academics have conducted numerous studies about the best way to move water through or around the Delta. For this summary report, CALFED staff reviewed more than 100 reports — 30 of which specifically focused on various conveyance options—that dealt with Delta water conveyance and potential effects on water quality and ecosystem health and resilience. Based on a review of these reports, it appears that most focus on the amount of water than can be moved and for what cost, but little work has been done to evaluate the effects on the Delta environment or the impacts of climate change and sea level rise. We note, however, that several studies now underway are addressing these issues. General conclusions based on this review suggest: 1. The operational criteria of a conveyance system is critical to determining if it will meet the environmental, water quality, and water supply reliability needs of the state. 2. Based on the reports we reviewed, none of the conveyance options stand out as a clear choice capable of fully meeting all the performance standards laid out by the Task Force. Some conveyance options do well in some areas, but not in others; some conveyance options do moderately well across all areas. 3. Few of the existing reports include operational criteria or specifically integrate much of the new and relevant scientific data about the Delta ecosystem. 4. Cost estimates developed were for the conceptual designs for particular studies. Most of the reports did not include cost estimates for operation, maintenance and mitigation. Cost estimates presented here are not current and are not comparable among reports.

CalFed: Still Imperiled, Still Important

Little Hoover Commission | November 17th, 2005

The Little Hoover Commission on Thursday recommended overhauling how state and federal agencies are managing the massive, multibillion-dollar effort to restore the Bay-De

The Little Hoover Commission on Thursday recommended overhauling how state and federal agencies are managing the massive, multibillion-dollar effort to restore the Bay-Delta estuary. The Commission’s review affirmed the importance of the CALFED Bay-Delta program and the need to fundamentally change how the multi-agency effort is governed. The Commission recommended dissolving the Bay-Delta Authority, which was created in 2003, and creating a stronger management structure that could be held accountable for achieving the program’s four objectives: improving water supply reliability, levee stability, water quality and the ecosystem of the vast, yet fragile Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The Delta supplies water to 22 million Californians, irrigates 5 million acres of farmland and is home to 750 wildlife species. Through CALFED, 24 state and federal agencies were committed to working cooperatively and relying on science and public involvement to improve conditions in the Bay-Delta. But after five years and $3 billion, the Governor and the Legislature have questioned the progress and the ability of the Bay-Delta Authority to lead the effort. The Commission’s review was requested by Governor Schwarzenegger as part of an effort to revitalize CALFED. The Commission concluded that the current structure diffuses authority and fragments responsibility and lacks the focused leadership needed to get adversarial stakeholders and reluctant government agencies to cooperate. “Because of a faulty design, the Bay-Delta Authority cannot effectively coordinate activities, push agencies to perform, or provide rigorous oversight. It is unable to control or cajole,” said Michael E. Alpert, chairman of the Little Hoover Commission. The Commission found that growing disagreements about CALFED’s mission and the role of the Bay-Delta Authority are jeopardizing the critical water supply and restoration effort. The Commission recommended recreating a policy group of public officials, co-chaired by the U.S. Secretary of Interior and the California Secretary of Resources. It recommended deploying performance management techniques to improve progress toward specific goals. And it recommended refinements to the program’s use of a lead scientist and an independent science board to improve decision-making. “The most important factor in CALFED’s success will be leadership,” Alpert said. “One lesson of the last five years is that CALFED will require an amount of political capital and leadership that can only flow from the institution of the Governor.” The Commission’s report includes recommendations for reforming the governance structure of the CALFED program.

California Aqueduct Subsidence Study

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | June 1st, 2017

In 2006, the San Luis Field Division of the California Department of Water Resources' Division of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) began to see a reduction in flow ca

In 2006, the San Luis Field Division of the California Department of Water Resources' Division of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) began to see a reduction in flow capacity through the California Aqueduct (Aqueduct) Pools 20 and 21. Subsidence had lowered portions of the Aqueduct and caused the concrete liner freeboard (the vertical distance between the water surface and the top of the concrete liner) to be reduced from its normal of 3 feet, to less than 1 foot. Subsidence had also decreased the ability to store water in those pools, which is normally done to add operational flexibility and to manage pumping at the Aqueduct’s pumping plants. While subsidence has reduced the amount of freeboard and flow capacity at specific locations, contracted deliveries have not been curtailed through 2016. Additional work, to be addressed in the next phase of the project, will quantify how hydraulic limitations have impacted operations and will estimate future impacts to deliveries, based on forecasted subsidence rates. The purpose of this project is to research and study past and present subsidence reports and data, and to understand and summarize the magnitude, location, and effects on the Aqueduct. This report summarizes the significant information found, and presents the results of the data that were analyzed.

California Department of Water Plan 2023: Navigating Climate Challenges with Equity and Resilience

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | September 20th, 2023

The California Water Plan (Water Plan), updated every five years, is the State’s strategic plan for sustainably and equitably managing, developing, and stewarding water

The California Water Plan (Water Plan), updated every five years, is the State’s strategic plan for sustainably and equitably managing, developing, and stewarding water resources. Required by Water Code Section 10005, the plan presents the status and trends of California’s water-dependent natural resources; water supplies; and agricultural, urban, and environmental water demands for a range of plausible future scenarios.

California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2023-054-00

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | November 4th, 2024

California Fish and Game, Volume 15

California Fish and Game Commission | January 1st, 1929

California Fish and Game, Volume 2

California Fish and Game Commission | January 31st, 1916

California Fish and Game, Volume 34

California Fish and Game Commission | April 30th, 1948