Managing salinity in the California Delta in a changing climate
The Delta is an intricate network of waterways, canals, and sloughs connecting the Sierra Nevada watershed with the San Francisco Bay. It is considered the hub of California’s water supply, supplying fresh water to two-thirds of the state’s population and millions of acres of farmland. It is also the largest freshwater tidal estuary on the west coast, providing important habitat for birds along the Pacific Flyway and the fish that live in or migrate through the Delta. However, increasing drought and sea level rise make it more challenging for water managers to meet the freshwater needs of all who rely on the Delta.