Delta

About the Delta Section

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is the largest estuary on the West Coast of the Americas, a rich fishery, a boater's paradise and California's most important water supply. Environmental decline and natural disasters threaten to change the Delta forever. Stay on top of the changes here as policymakers debate the Delta's future.

Federal draft report: Delta system imperils fish

By Matt Weiser - 12:00 am

Salmon, steelhead and sturgeon in the Central Valley are being driven to extinction by Delta pumping systems and upstream reservoir operations, according to a draft federal report.

Special Report: The Delta debate

Nature Conservancy backs Delta canal, with conditions

By Matt Weiser - Wednesday, January 7 2009 - 12:00 am

One of the nation's largest environmental groups has decided to support building a controversial new water canal around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Delta canal plan likely to land in court, experts agree - 7:11am
Delta panel urges California canal without legislative, voter OK - 10:56pm
Sea lions along Sacramento River blamed for salmon decline - 11:06pm
Giant gates mulled for Delta, to the chagrin of some - 12:29am
California panel misses deadline for Delta report - 9:44pm
Funding crisis threatens park, levee, science projects - 11:26pm
Some in California could see water supply cut in half - 11:34pm
The Delta debate: Resurrecting the canal - 1:21pm
Idyllic existence hangs in the balance - 1:39pm
Political headwinds building against Delta pumping study - 6:55am
Q&A on Delta ecosystem challenge - 10:06pm
Radio implants to track salmon through Delta - 10:27am
Panel: Quenching California's thirst requires a canal - and more - 10:27am
Feds launch second fish rescue effort on Prospect Island - 10:36am
Some in Delta mobilize to oppose peripheral canal proposal - 10:27am

Coming Next

Jan. 16, 9 a.m.: Bay Delta Conservation Plan Steering Committee meeting, Farm Bureau Federation, 2300 River Plaza Ave., Sacramento - 4:22pm

Interactive Map

Explore our interactive map to learn more about Delta islands, sample reader videos and read past articles about the region.

For copies of the special section print edition, including a special pullout map, ask for "Delta Reprint" through Membership Services, 916-650-2847. Rates are $2 apiece mailed; special rates for bulk orders picked up at 2100 Q St., Sacramento, CA 95816.

Special Report

The Delta debate: Resurrecting the canal

By Matt Weiser - Sunday, December 14 2008 - 12:00 am

California as we know it today was built largely on this fantasy: That arid cities in the south could indefinitely satisfy the thirst of a growing population by importing water from the north.

Idyllic existence hangs in the balance

Delta Debate Forum

Research and Reports

Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force
Final strategic plan (Nov. 2008): recommendations to governor and legislature on restoration, water plumbing
Public Policy Institute of California
Comparing Futures for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (July 2008): recommendations on restoration, water plumbing
Calif. Department of Water Resources
Environmental studies underway on Delta canal options (ordered by Gov. Schwarzenegger Feb. 2008)
Bay-Delta Conservation Plan
Multi-agency effort to prepare habitat conservation plan, including new plumbing (expected late 2010)
CalFed Bay-Delta Science Program
Links to many Delta research topics