the issues
The California Delta is Dying
The Problem:
California’s wild salmon are on the verge of extinction. Salt water could intrude inland all the way to Sacramento within 10 years. California ratepayers are paying higher and higher rates for water they will never get.
The Solution:
A public trust analysis of the California Delta will show that a healthy estuary ecosystem is essential for reliable water deliveries to California citizens and the future success of California’s economy.
Photo: Miguel Vieira
The California Delta
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Ecosystem
• The largest estuary in California
• Provides water to 2/3rds of California’s population
• 26 major rivers and creeks, 75,000 square miles
• 750 known species of plants and animals
• The largest estuary on the Pacific Coast of the Americas
• Home to three runs of critically endangered wild salmon
• Part of the world’s largest water conveyance system
Our Crucial Estuary is in Crisis
Mismanagement, over-allocation and privatization of this public resource is causing real hardship to California citizens.
• It is estimated that salt water could intrude inland to Sacramento within 10 years
• Ratepayers are forced to pay more with no oversight
• There are communities in California that have lost access to running water
• The population of all fish in Delta waterways has declined 95% since exports of water were increased above recommended levels
• In 2023, runs of wild salmon are on the brink of extinction, according to National Marine Fisheries and CA Fish and Wildlife biologists
Photo: Bureau of Land Management
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
There is a Solution
California has been allocating water for new agricultural, urban development and infrastructure projects without knowing how much is available from nature. C-WIN and UC Davis have researched the true amount of water available and determined the State has contracted 5.5 times the amount of water actually available for development than actually exists. This is against the law.
Quantification of available water, valuation of non-market resources, and an economic analysis of alternatives to water exports will show that a healthy Delta estuary ecosystem is essential for reliable water deliveries to all California citizens, including farmers and the future success of California’s economy.
C-WIN will use this public trust analysis as evidence in our currently active court cases against the State Water Resources Control Board, who are negligent in their legal obligation to protect a critical public trust resource in the interest of the people.