About the Delta

About the Delta

Threats to the Delta

Facts and Figures

Maps

ABOUT THE DELTA

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is the West Coast's largest estuary. It is a unique resource of local, state and national significance.

The Delta:

• Is home to more than 500,000 people;
• Contains 500,000 acres of agriculture;
• Provides habitat for 700 native plant and animal species;
• Provides water for more than 25 million Californians and 3 million acres of agriculture;
• Is traversed by energy, communications and transportation facilities vital to the economic health of California; and
• Supports a $400 billion economy.

But this heartland - our state's economic engine, chief water source and a natural treasure - is in trouble. Current uses and environmental conditions are not sustainable. We must act now to secure the future of this vital resource.

THREATS TO THE DELTA

There is a growing consensus among scientists, supported by recent legislation and other information, indicating that:

• Environmental conditions and the current Delta "architecture" are not sustainable;
• Current land and water uses and related services dependent on the Delta are not sustainable based on current management practices and regulatory requirements;
• Current environmental conditions and current and ongoing services (e.g., utility, transportation and water conveyance services) are reliant on an aging and deteriorating levee system;
• Major "drivers of change" that are largely outside of our control will impact the Delta during the coming decades, including seismic events, land subsidence, sea level rise, regional climate change and urbanization;
• The current fragmented and complex governance systems within the Delta are not conducive to effective management of the fragile Delta environment in the face of the cumulative threats identified above; and
• Failure to act to address identified Delta challenges and threats will result in potentially devastating environmental and economic consequences of statewide and national significance.

DELTA FACTS AND FIGURES

Click here to download a factsheet (PDF).

Population: 515,264 (2000 Census)

Counties: Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, and Yolo

Major Cities Partly Within the Delta: Sacramento, Stockton, West Sacramento, Oakley and Rio Vista

Levees: 1,300 including the Delta and Suisun Marsh (total mileage, 1987)

Rivers Flowing into the Delta: Sacramento, San Joaquin, Mokelumne, Cosumnes, and Calaveras

Diversions Directly from the Delta: State Water Project, Federal Central Valley Project, Contra Costa Canal, North Bay Aqueduct, City of Vallejo, Western Delta Industry and 1,800+ Agricultural Users

Water Supply: Drinking water for 25 million people; supports California's $1 trillion economy (eighth largest in the world) and $27 billion agricultural industry (nation's number one)

Agriculture: Average Annual Gross Value totals more than $2 billion. Crops include corn, grain, hay, alfalfa, tomatoes, asparagus, pears and wine grapes.(2001)

Wildlife: 52 mammals, 22 reptiles and amphibian species, 225 birds, and 54 species of fish. The Delta is also home to approximately 260 invasive species of plants and animals.

Recreation: Over 12 million visitors annually. There are 290 shoreline recreational areas, 300 marinas, and about 500,000 boaters. The Delta has 57,000 acres of navigable waterways. (Figures from the Department of Boating and Waterways)

Major Sport Fish:*

ANADROMOUS

American Shad
Striped Bass
Chinook Salmon
Steelhead
White Sturgeon

FRESHWATER

Black Crappie
Catfish (Channel, Blue, White, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead)
Sunfish (Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Redear, Green)
Tule Perch
Warmouth
Bass (Smallmouth, Largemouth, Spotted)

MARINE

Starry Flounder

* Before fishing in the Delta, always check with the California Department of Fish & Game (www.dfg.ca.gov) for regulations regarding particular fish species and specific license requirements for the region.

MAPS OF THE DELTA

Click here to view the California Department of Fish & Game's map of the Delta Region

Click here to download more maps of the Delta Region