Summary:
California has a delta. However, if you
polled most Californians, they
would not know there is a delta, and would not know where its
located. Ask yourself Why? Most recently, the state is attempting to redefine geological
history of the Delta area by calling it the San Francisco Bay
"Estuary" which implies a salt water inland area when historically
the Delta was a fresh water "swamp and overflow" land mass. If
this area had been a salt water marsh, it could not have been
developed into the high-producing agricultural farming islands that
exist today. According to governmental documents, the
Delta provides about two third's of the states' drinking water, and
more than half of the agricultural and industrial water. Fresh
water from the two main rivers of the Delta, the San Joaquin and the
Sacramento, is diverted into the California aqueduct and other water
transport systems to carry the water elsewhere. More water is
needed to meet the demand for an expanding population, and expanding
agricultural uses of the dry lands south of the Delta. At the
same time, the ecosystem of the Delta appears to be crashing, as
evidenced by the dramatic decline in native fish populations.
Most governmental agencies would say the Delta is in a crisis
ecological situation, perhaps caused by the excess siphoning of
fresh water away from this natural area of the state. Most
non-governmental large utility businesses or providers would say the
Delta is of prime focus for future renewable resources energy and
rediscovered resources for natural gas and oil.
Short summary of the
water issues:
California's most precious asset these days is water. Texas has its
own "liquid gold" in oil, and Northern California has the water.
When you hear about water wars in California, all will agree the
issues boil down to this: Northern California has most of
the water of the state and Southern California wants
that water.
This website provides links to documents
posted for public viewing by the many different governmental
agencies, nonprofits and the independent contractors hired to
provide studies regarding different matters related to the Delta.
If you want more basic FACTS about the Delta, see the
DELTA ISSUES page. Despite what
major media sources might tell you, the California Water Wars is not
just a "fish vs. people" story. Its so much more complicated.
Its a Delta farmer vs Central Valley farmer, Federal Control vs
State Control, fish use vs human use, NorCal environment vs
SoCal development, Developers vs Environmentalists, Anglers vs
Environmentalists, at a minimum. Recreational boaters fit
in the mix also, if waterways that are currently open to boaters
become limited.
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