Delta Conveyance

For More information: Undecided future of California's water supply 

Attending the 27th annual California water and environmental modeling summit opened our eyes to the possibilities with the Delta. Alex Brown was able to gain insight into current projects. He has to say:

"Two weeks ago I attended the white boarding session on the second day of the 27th annual California Water and Environmental Modeling Forum (CWEMF) In Fulsom. During the session we learned about the different research proposals being showcased on various aspects of the Bay Delta. At the event we conversed with industry experts and explained our Bay delta network project. It was recommended that existing models within the CWEMF model inventory be used to move forward with the analysis of the Bay Delta.

The Delta Stewardship Council, which is leading an effort to create better practices for ecosystem modeling in the Delta, has formed an Integrated Modeling Steering Committee (IMSC) to bring together model developers, users, managers, and executives from various fields to develop a strategic plan for building a sustainable modeling community. The model inventory was developed through the expertise of individuals working in various domains, and it includes models in current use in the Delta across a range of engineering, science, and social science disciplines.

The goal of this inventory is to provide a framework for future model integration, so that decision-makers in the Delta can have access to the best available and usable information. As new studies are completed and new models are developed, the inventory will be updated to ensure that it remains a relevant and valuable resource for the modeling community. Overall, the use of existing models within the CWEMF model inventory is an important step towards improving the ecosystem management practices in the Bay Delta."

A major takeaway, as we move forward in our research, we can integrate these existing models.

The Bay Delta is the Largest Inland Estuary in North America and one of the most impacted biodiversity hotspots in the world. 

Bottom line: The Delta conveyance project will allow for California to take advantage of runoff in high snowpack seasons, while shutting off the conveyence during low snowpack years. This will not impact ecosystems in the bay delta because the pump will be dormant during low runoff years. 

To clarify, the pump will transport water from the Bay, back up to the Baker pumping plant, which is the start of the California Aqueduct. This in effect will provide Southern California with the water it needs. Currently, additional runoff is being lost due to the 100 year old levee system.

Events like the California Water and Environmental Modeling Summit exist because no funding has been secured for the conveyance construction. Only independent water districts who plan to use the reclamed water, have funded the conveyance planning phase.