San Joaquin River

Facing the Climate Gap: How Environmental Justice Communities are Leading the Way to a More Sustainable and Equitable California

University of Southern California (USC) | October 31st, 2012

California has traditionally led the nation in protecting and preserving the environment – and we have proudly continued the trend with the 2006 passage and ong

California has traditionally led the nation in protecting and preserving the environment – and we have proudly continued the trend with the 2006 passage and ongoing implementation of the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). Aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and slowing climate change, AB 32 came under political attack in 2010 when an initiative, funded largely by oil refiners, sought to delay application of the legislation’s rules. Fortunately, voters soundly rejected that effort, but many observers have worried that California’s concerns about climate could wane, particularly since the actual impacts of climate change can seem abstract and far-off. Against this backdrop, a wide range of community-based organizations have been working to “make it real” by connecting the dots between global warming and human impacts, and by helping residents adapt now and not later. In what might be a surprise to some observers, many of these organizations are working with low-income communities of color – those often stereotyped as the least concerned about climate change.

Factors Affecting Marsh Vegetation at the Liberty Island Conservation Bank in the Cache Slough Region of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, California

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | July 5th, 2017

The Liberty Island Conservation Bank (LICB) is a tidal freshwater marsh restored for the purpose of mitigating adverse effects on sensitive fish populations elsewhere in

The Liberty Island Conservation Bank (LICB) is a tidal freshwater marsh restored for the purpose of mitigating adverse effects on sensitive fish populations elsewhere in the region. The LICB was completed in 2012 and is in the northern Cache Slough region of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. The wetland vegetation at the LICB is stunted and yellow-green in color (chlorotic) compared to nearby wetlands. A study was done to investigate three potential causes of the stunted and chlorotic vegetation: (1) improper grading of the marsh plain, (2) pesticide contamination from agricultural and urban inputs upstream from the site, (3) nitrogen-deficient soil, or some combination of these. Water samples were collected from channels at five sites, and soil samples were collected from four wetlands, including the LICB, during the summer of 2015. Real-time kinematic global positioning system (RTK-GPS) elevation surveys were completed at the LICB and north Little Holland Tract, a closely situated natural marsh that has similar hydrodynamics as the LICB, but contains healthy marsh vegetation. The results showed no significant differences in carbon or nitrogen content in the surface soils or in pesticides in water among the sites. The elevation survey indicated that the mean elevation of the LICB was about 26 centimeters higher than that of the north Little Holland Tract marsh. Because marsh plain elevation largely determines the hydroperiod of a marsh, these results indicated that the LICB has a hydroperiod that differs from that of neighboring north Little Holland Tract marsh. This difference in hydroperiod contributed to the lower stature and decreased vigor of wetland vegetation at the LICB. Although the LICB cannot be regraded without great expense, it could be possible to reduce the sharp angle of the marsh edge to facilitate deeper and more frequent tidal flooding along the marsh periphery. Establishing optimal elevations for restored wetlands is necessary for obtaining the full suite of ecosystem services provided by tidal wetlands. A better system of tidal benchmarks throughout the delta is needed to help restoration practitioners correctly grade the elevation of newly restored wetlands.

Factors and Processes Affecting Delta Levee System Vulnerability

University of California, Davis (UC Davis) | December 1st, 2016

The authors appraised factors and processes related to human activities and high water, subsidence, and seismicity. Farming and drainage of peat soils over time has cause

The authors appraised factors and processes related to human activities and high water, subsidence, and seismicity. Farming and drainage of peat soils over time has caused a gradual sinking which contributed to internal levee failures. Although these subsidence rates have decreased with time, they still contribute to levee instability. Additional data is needed to assess spatial and temporal effects of subsidence caused by peat thinning and deformation. Since the mid-1970s large-scale, State investments in levee upgrades have increased conformance, however accounts continue to conflict on how these investments correspond to the numbers of failures. Both modeling and history suggest that the projected increases of high-flow frequency associated with climate change will increase levee-failures rates. Quantification of this increased threat requires further research. A reappraisal of seismic threats resulted in updated ground motion estimates for multiple faults and earthquake occurrence frequencies. The immediate seismic threat, liquefaction, is the sudden loss of strength due to an increase in the pressure of the pore fluid and corresponding loss of contact forces. However, levees damaged during an earthquake that do not immediately fail, may eventually breach. Consequences for future levee failure are estimated to cost up to billions of dollars. The analysis of future risks will benefit from more detailed descriptions of levee strength and upgrades, consideration of subsidence, climate change, and earthquake threats. Ecosystem benefits of levee habitats in this highly altered system are thin. Better recognition and coordination is needed among the creation of high value habitats, levee needs, costs, benefits of levee improvements, and breaches.  

Facts on the Water Rights Question in the Central Valley Project

California Farm Bureau (CFB) | March 11th, 1948

Fallowed agricultural lands dominate anthropogenic dust sources in California

Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature) | April 26th, 2025

Farmers Water District Groundwater Sustainability Plan Delta-Mendota Subbasin

Farmers Water District | January 1st, 2020

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was signed into law in 2014 for the purpose of protecting California’s groundwater resources. SGMA requires all high

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was signed into law in 2014 for the purpose of protecting California’s groundwater resources. SGMA requires all high and medium priority basins to develop Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) to prevent overdraft and achieve sustainability in the utilization of groundwater resources. The Delta-Mendota Subbasin (Basin 5-022.07 in the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Bulletin 118) (Subbasin) is a high priority Subbasin that has been assigned a critical overdraft designation by DWR. The Subbasin consists of 23 Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) who together created six individual GSA groups, each preparing a GSP in a coordinated manner as required by SGMA. Farmers Water District elected to form a GSA on June 14, 2016 in order to represent the interest of local landowners in the District in the development of a GSP with FWD designated as a Management Area in GSP. This GSP includes a description of groundwater conditions and basin settings of the Subbasin that is common to all six of the GSPs developed for the Delta-Mendota Subbasin in addition to describing the hydrogeologic conditions and management practices in the area of FWD. It also contains the steps that will be taken to achieve sustainability over the next 20 years by preventing undesirable results by monitoring for the following sustainability indicators as defined by SGMA: • Chronic Lowering of Groundwater Levels • Reduction in Groundwater Storage • Degraded Water Quality • Subsidence • Depletion of Interconnected Surface Water • Seawater Intrusion All but seawater intrusion applies to FWD, and each applicable sustainability indicator will be addressed in this GSP and is integrated into the Subbasin-wide and FWD monitoring program. Measurable objectives and minimum thresholds have been set for each sustainability indicator based on projected hydrologic conditions through the use of a numerical groundwater flow model. This GSP, in coordination with the five other GSPs for the Subbasin, will be implemented and result in the sustainable use of groundwater resources for all beneficial users in FWD and the Subbasin.

Farmers Water District Revised Groundwater Sustainability Plan Delta- Mendota Subbasin

Farmers Water District | July 18th, 2022

This work product is the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the Farmers Water District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA). This GSP is one of six (6) individ

This work product is the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the Farmers Water District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA). This GSP is one of six (6) individual GSPs being prepared for the Delta-Mendota Subbasin (DMS, Subbasin).

Federal Investments for the California Bay-Delta Region

U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) | February 5th, 2014

The San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Bay-Delta) region of California is an ecosystem of national significance. It is also the hub of the nation’s largest

The San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Bay-Delta) region of California is an ecosystem of national significance. It is also the hub of the nation’s largest water delivery system—infrastructure that is the foundation for economic activity in the agricultural, industrial, and recreational sectors of the economy, and provides drinking water to a population of over 25 million Californians. This document is intended to provide an overview of the federal land and water programs in and around the Bay-Delta region, their purpose, options for future programs or actions, and an overview of the actions in which agencies are engaged already. Successful long term management of water resources and the environment to achieve the co-equal goals of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) and overall Delta sustainability requires continued improvement in managing California’s finite water supply. Contents I. Introduction II. Bay Delta-Big Picture: A Holistic Approach • State and Federal Integrated Water Management • Reducing Water Demand • Increasing Water Reliability and Supply • Improve Operational Efficiency and Transfers/Exchanges • Potential Federal Water and Ecosystem Management Actions III. Role of the Federal agencies • Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Environmental Protection Agency • Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • Army Corps of Engineers • Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service U.S. Forest Service Rural Development Farm Services Agency Agriculture Research Service IV. Conclusion

Field-scale crop water consumption estimates reveal potential water savings in California agriculture

Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature) | March 25th, 2024

Final Environmental Impact Report for Adoption of a Regulation for the Hexavalent Chromium Maximum Contaminant Level

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) | April 17th, 2024

As the lead agency in accordance with sections 15089 and 15132 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15000 et seq.),

As the lead agency in accordance with sections 15089 and 15132 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15000 et seq.), this document is the Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR) for the adoption of statewide regulations setting the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for hexavalent chromium (Proposed Regulations). The Proposed Regulations include a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 μg/L for hexavalent chromium. (Cal. Code Regs. tit. 22, § 64431 Table 64431-A.) The Proposed Regulations also include a compliance schedule based on public water system size, by adding subdivision (p) and Table 64432-B to section 64432 of title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, identifies a detection limit for purposes of reporting, sets monitoring and reporting requirements and public notice requirements for violations of the MCL, and establishes the Best Available Technologies (BAT) for treating hexavalent chromium in drinking water. California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Chrom VI MCL rulemaking chronology.