Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Presentation is loading. Please wait.

F Sherman Island Sacramento River San Joaquin River God, United Methodists, Nature, and California Water.

Similar presentations


Presentation on theme: "F Sherman Island Sacramento River San Joaquin River God, United Methodists, Nature, and California Water."— Presentation transcript:

1 f Sherman Island Sacramento River San Joaquin River God, United Methodists, Nature, and California Water

2 Analogy

3 Delta Dynamics Not Easily Understood.  Tail = Rope  Legs = Tree trunks  Body = Wall  Trunk = Snake  Tusk = Spear  Ears = Fan

4 Personal Journey Circa 1956 in the San Joaquin Delta

5 California Hydrology  Averages 73 million acre feet per year  Varies in space:  76% produced in northern third of state.  Varies in time:  80% from November through March.  May through September are typically rainless.  Averages 73 million acre feet per year  Varies in space:  76% produced in northern third of state.  Varies in time:  80% from November through March.  May through September are typically rainless.

6 California  Fifth largest economy in the world with $1.5 trillion annual gross state product (as of last fall).  California produces 1/3 of the nation’s crops.  80% water demand by lower 2/3 state.  Fifth largest economy in the world with $1.5 trillion annual gross state product (as of last fall).  California produces 1/3 of the nation’s crops.  80% water demand by lower 2/3 state.

7 Reasons for Urgency Levee and water diversion failures imminent in the Delta  Inconsistent design, construction, and maintenance of levees  Levees not as reliable or as safe as dams.  Island subsidence Proximity to major earthquake faults - 6.5 Richter Climate Change  Increase range of tidal flux  Increase in storm surge Water supply at capacity limits - (88%-92%) San Joaquin flow reversals - over 300 days annually Fish population collapses - Several species at all-time lows Declining water quality - Ag return flow, stockyards, dairy operations Salt importation into SJ Valley increasing - 1 million tons/year Human population increasing - about 1 million/year (50 M 2026) Outflow to SF Bay 1/2 of historical Levee and water diversion failures imminent in the Delta  Inconsistent design, construction, and maintenance of levees  Levees not as reliable or as safe as dams.  Island subsidence Proximity to major earthquake faults - 6.5 Richter Climate Change  Increase range of tidal flux  Increase in storm surge Water supply at capacity limits - (88%-92%) San Joaquin flow reversals - over 300 days annually Fish population collapses - Several species at all-time lows Declining water quality - Ag return flow, stockyards, dairy operations Salt importation into SJ Valley increasing - 1 million tons/year Human population increasing - about 1 million/year (50 M 2026) Outflow to SF Bay 1/2 of historical

8 Typical Delta Hydrological Budget Delta Atlas 1995 (1980-1991) Sacramento System San Joaquin System Other Flow to the Bay Water supply exports Losses INPUT OUTPUT 76% 20% 4% 18% 6% 76% 27840 TAF

9 Central Valley Project (USBR website) San Joaquin River used as water supply (Friant Dam, Madera Canal, Friant- Kern Canal) Sacramento River used to resist seawater intrusion during incoming tides (Shasta and Folsom dams) and to freshen San Joaquin water (Delta Cross Channel). Mitigation water to senior water rights holders (Delta Mendota Canal) Freshwater diversion site for Pittsburg and Antioch (Contra Costa Canal) CVP NEVER designed to use Sacramento River water as water supply. (SWP uses Feather River and relies upon through Delta water conveyance.) San Joaquin River used as water supply (Friant Dam, Madera Canal, Friant- Kern Canal) Sacramento River used to resist seawater intrusion during incoming tides (Shasta and Folsom dams) and to freshen San Joaquin water (Delta Cross Channel). Mitigation water to senior water rights holders (Delta Mendota Canal) Freshwater diversion site for Pittsburg and Antioch (Contra Costa Canal) CVP NEVER designed to use Sacramento River water as water supply. (SWP uses Feather River and relies upon through Delta water conveyance.)

10 SAC SJR Water supply exports exportoutflow MIX

11 Sacramento River San Joaquin River Sherman Island Three Mile Slough Van Sickle Island Aerial photograph showing lack of mixing at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers.

12 The Key Concept: water behaves differently  Sacramento River:  Higher gradient (0.026).  Higher momentum.  Higher hydraulic. Energy.  Higher inertia.  Colder in summer  Lower suspended solids concentrations  Sacramento River:  Higher gradient (0.026).  Higher momentum.  Higher hydraulic. Energy.  Higher inertia.  Colder in summer  Lower suspended solids concentrations  San Joaquin River:  Lower gradient (0.016).  Lower momentum.  Lower hydraulic energy.  Lower inertia.  Higher residence time  They do not immediately mix!

13 SJR SAC

14 The Key Consequences  Sacramento River water is largely unavailable to Jones PP (CVP) or Banks PP (SWP).  Through Delta conveyance is infeasible.  Sacramento River water is largely unavailable to Jones PP (CVP) or Banks PP (SWP).  Through Delta conveyance is infeasible.

15 f Sherman Island Sacramento River San Joaquin River

16 Ecological Canaries: Fishes of the two Deltas SPECIES  Delta smelt (T)  Longfin smelt (ST)  Striped bass YOY  Threadfin shad  Chinook salmon (ET)  Steelhead (T) SPECIES  Delta smelt (T)  Longfin smelt (ST)  Striped bass YOY  Threadfin shad  Chinook salmon (ET)  Steelhead (T) CRITICAL FACTOR  No current, SJR  Needs plankton  Ocean? Home?

17

18 What you can do Remember Proposition 9 in 1982 (Both sides lied). Gather information and decide (you can do this!). Is protecting California’s economy important? Should ecosystems be restored as we fix the water system? (Be not against nature) Cost will be $3 billion and up. Spend it well. Remember Proposition 9 in 1982 (Both sides lied). Gather information and decide (you can do this!). Is protecting California’s economy important? Should ecosystems be restored as we fix the water system? (Be not against nature) Cost will be $3 billion and up. Spend it well.

19 LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOUR GOD


Download ppt "F Sherman Island Sacramento River San Joaquin River God, United Methodists, Nature, and California Water."

Similar presentations


Ads by Google