The Bay Delta Conservation Plan is a process for obtaining
long-term project permits for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
centering on the equal goals of conservation of species and
helping to improve water supplies and delivery.
The BDCP aims to separate its water delivery
system from Delta freshwater flows and restore thousands of
acres of habitat, restore river flows to more natural patterns
and address issues affecting the health of fish populations.
As part of the water conveyance, in 2013, California Gov. Jerry
Brown also proposed constructing two $25 billion tunnels to
divert Sacramento River water underneath the Delta and then
deliver the water to the Central Valley and Southern California.
If approved, the BDCP would be implemented over the next 50 years
and construction of the tunnels would not begin for another 10 to
15 years.
The Senate Rules Committee appointed former California State
Senator Ben Hueso to the Delta Stewardship Council, effective
April 12, 2023. His first Council meeting was April 27. Hueso,
of San Diego, has served in several public official roles. He
was elected to the California State Senate in 2013 to represent
the 40th District, which includes the cities of Chula Vista,
Imperial Beach, National City, portions of the City of San
Diego, and all of Imperial County. Prior to that, he was
elected to the California State Assembly in 2010.
In the universe of California water, Tim Quinn is a professor emeritus. Quinn has seen — and been a key player in — a lot of major California water issues since he began his water career 40 years ago as a young economist with the Rand Corporation, then later as deputy general manager with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and finally as executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies. In December, the 66-year-old will retire from ACWA.
Often times on my Facebook feed, someone will post a
map of California sitting beside a huge ocean with the word,
“Duh,” scrawled across the water. The idea that California can
dig itself out of the drought simply by building desalination
plants up and down the coast may, at first glance, seem like an
obvious choice.
This printed copy of Western Water examines the Delta through the
many ongoing activities focusing on it, most notably the Delta
Vision process. Many hours of testimony, research, legal
proceedings, public hearings and discussion have occurred and
will continue as the state seeks the ultimate solution to the
problems tied to the Delta.
This printed issue of Western Water provides an overview of the
idea of a dual conveyance facility, including questions
surrounding its cost, operation and governance
This printed issue of Western Water looks at some of
the pieces of the 2009 water legislation, including the Delta
Stewardship Council, the new requirements for groundwater
monitoring and the proposed water bond.
This printed issue of Western Water examines the issues
associated with the State Water Board’s proposed revision of the
water quality Bay-Delta Plan, most notably the question of
whether additional flows are needed for the system, and how they
might be provided.
This issue of Western Water looks at the BDCP and the
Coalition to Support Delta Projects, issues that are aimed at
improving the health and safety of the Delta while solidifying
California’s long-term water supply reliability.
This 25-minute documentary-style DVD, developed in partnership
with the California Department of Water Resources, provides an
excellent overview of climate change and how it is already
affecting California. The DVD also explains what scientists
anticipate in the future related to sea level rise and
precipitation/runoff changes and explores the efforts that are
underway to plan and adapt to climate.
15-minute DVD that graphically portrays the potential disaster
should a major earthquake hit the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
“Delta Warning” depicts what would happen in the event of an
earthquake registering 6.5 on the Richter scale: 30 levee breaks,
16 flooded islands and a 300 billion gallon intrusion of salt
water from the Bay – the “big gulp” – which would shut down the
State Water Project and Central Valley Project pumping plants.
Water truly has shaped California into the great state it is
today. And if it is water that made California great, it’s the
fight over – and with – water that also makes it so critically
important. In efforts to remap California’s circulatory system,
there have been some critical events that had a profound impact
on California’s water history. These turning points not only
forced a re-evaluation of water, but continue to impact the lives
of every Californian. This 2005 PBS documentary offers a
historical and current look at the major water issues that shaped
the state we know today. Includes a 12-page viewer’s guide with
background information, historic timeline and a teacher’s lesson.
Water as a renewable resource is depicted in this 18×24 inch
poster. Water is renewed again and again by the natural
hydrologic cycle where water evaporates, transpires from plants,
rises to form clouds, and returns to the earth as precipitation.
Excellent for elementary school classroom use.
This 24×36 inch poster, suitable for framing, explains how
non-native invasive animals can alter the natural ecosystem,
leading to the demise of native animals. “Unwelcome Visitors”
features photos and information on four such species – including
the zerbra mussel – and explains the environmental and economic
threats posed by these species.
This 24×36 inch poster, suitable for framing, explains how
non-native invasive plants can alter the natural ecosystem,
leading to the demise of native plants and animals. “Space
Invaders” features photos and information on six non-native
plants that have caused widespread problems in the Bay-Delta
Estuary and elsewhere.
A new look for our most popular product! And it’s the perfect
gift for the water wonk in your life.
Our 24×36 inch California Water Map is widely known for being the
definitive poster that shows the integral role water plays in the
state. On this updated version, it is easier to see California’s
natural waterways and man-made reservoirs and aqueducts
– including federally, state and locally funded
projects – the wild and scenic rivers system, and
natural lakes. The map features beautiful photos of
California’s natural environment, rivers, water projects,
wildlife, and urban and agricultural uses and the
text focuses on key issues: water supply, water use, water
projects, the Delta, wild and scenic rivers and the Colorado
River.
CALFED began as a cooperative state-federal planning effort
between water, environmental, state and federal officials
involved in the 1994 Bay-Delta Accord.
That accord aimed to protect the Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta and provide water to urban and agricultural interests.
Today, as part of the Delta Reform Act of 2009, the Delta Stewardship
Council has in effect taken on the CALFED mission.
The Bay Delta Conservation Plan is a permitting process for
long-term project permits for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
that centers on co-equal goals of species conservation and
improving water supplies and delivery.
The BDCP aims to separate its water delivery system from Delta
freshwater flows and restore thousands of acres of habitat,
restore river flows to more natural patterns and address issues
affecting the health of fish populations.
For years, California has struggled with how to provide water to
its citizens from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in a way that
allows for a reliable supply while attending to the needs of the
environment and the Delta community. A complex, controversial and
expensive process called the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP)
is in the spotlight as the lead federal and state agencies move
toward choosing an option that will have a lasting impact.
