Blog: Testing for links between fall outflow and Delta Smelt
[Scientists] are wrestling with a critical question: Is high fall outflow the key to improving habitat conditions for Delta Smelt and benefiting the population? Scientists and resource managers in the San Francisco Estuary are desperately trying to save the endangered Delta Smelt, but the best research to date had resulted in “It’s complicated.” However, many studies pointed to high Delta outflow (freshwater flowing out of the estuary) was an important part of the story. Delta Smelt had positive population growth rates only twice since 2002, and both years had high flows.