The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta’s waterways span over a thousand miles. The region serves as a critical source of water for California, a transportation corridor linking ports in Sacramento and Stockton with the Bay Area, and a habitat for hundreds of wildlife species. But these rivers, streams and sloughs also conceal a man-made danger which poses significant environmental and navigational threats. Dozens of abandoned vessels — ranging from small speedboats and pleasure craft, to barges and cruise ships — litter the Delta, some of which have sat derelict for decades.

Other Delta news:

• Daily Republic (Fairfield, Calif.): Delta heritage area to get a branding makeover​