See the California government page on Delta Vision, workshops and webcasts at
www.deltavision.ca.gov
The Sacramento and San Joaquin rinvers converge in the Delta near Big Break. River waters on their journey to the sea, are now mostly controlled in engineered distribution and flood control systems. These systems have transformed a largely arid California landscape into one of the top ten largest economies in the world, but at a price. Ecosystem and economic values are breaking down, demanding a comprehensive re-evaluation of the California waterscape.
The Delta supports $32 billion of agricultural commerce each year; eighty percent of the state's commercial fish species live in or migrate through the delta and it is home to more han seven hundred plant and animal species, and several threatened or endangered species.
In July pumps directing water to the Central Valley and Southern California were shut down for nine days to preserve the Delta smelt, a fish whose health is considered an indicator of the Delta's overall ecologial well-being. The shutting down of those pumps is a red-alert signal that the balance between our water needs and the Delta's health hangs in the balance.
On July 17,2007 Governor Schwarzenegger directed immediate actions to help the Delta including
$1 billion to restore the Delta
$4.5 billion for water storage
$450 million in restoration and conservation
Today the Bay Area and the Delta are home to 11 endangered species including the delta smelt, the tidewater goby, the California clapper rail, the salt marsh harvest mouse, the California freshwater shrimp and more. Many factors are involved in those declining species. Non-native invasive species and plants is just one factor in the demise of these native species. It is up to all of us to become aware of the dangers that threaten the delta and do all we can to correct those dangers.
California freshwater shrimp
California Clapper Rail
Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse