Conveyance – Delta (Resource Management Strategy)

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) is the confluence point of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers as water is naturally conveyed westward from upstream water basins to the bays connected to the Pacific Ocean (Figure 1). In its natural state, the Delta was a vast marsh and floodplain dissected by meandering channels and sloughs. Even in today’s highly altered environment, the Delta remains a critical ecosystem and dynamic habitat that is home to hundreds of aquatic and terrestrial species, including many species endemic to the area and a number that are designated as threatened or endangered by the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

The Delta is also a centerpiece of California’s water system. The conveyance of water through the Delta supplies water for more than 25 million Californians. The water conveyed through the Delta also supports farms and ranches stretching from the north Delta to California-Mexico border, which collectively produce nearly half of the nation’s domestically grown fresh produce and supports a $27 billion agricultural industry. In addition to being a key agricultural region itself and recreational destination, the Delta supports extensive infrastructure of statewide importance, such as aqueducts, natural gas pipelines, electricity transmission lines, railroads, shipping channels, and highways.