Zidian Lyu
998054799
GEL 001, SECTION 04
Seventh Draft
The Problems and Solutions for Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta
Introduction
The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (SSRD) is formed at the confluence of the south-flowing Sacramento River and the north-flowing San Joaquin River (Fig.1). The estuary encompasses 1,600 square miles, drains over 40 percent of the State of California, and provides habitat and stop-over ground to numerous species of fish and wildlife. (Association of California Water Agencies, 2014) Because of its special geographical position, about two-thirds of salmon that migrate into California pass through the Delta, as do nearly half the migrating waterfowl and shorebirds (Association of California Water Agencies, 2014). Besides, due to the world's largest man-made plumbing job, the estuary provides 7.2 million acre-feet of water a year for export, irrigates 4.5 million acres of farmland, and provides drinking water for 20 million Californians (Association of California Water Agencies, 2014). For these reasons, the SSRD becomes the most important estuary on the west coast. Climate change and man-made modifications to the delta have resulted in many environmental and ecological problems. Problems such as agricultural irrigation, urban water usage, land use and control can threaten citizens’ lives and prosperity. Solutions to mitigate this ecological disaster mainly focus on the divisions between environmental and economic interest. To achieve long term economic growth and development, the most viable solutions address the need balance environmental improvements such as wetland habitat restoration and water quality improvements with infrastructural improvements to levee health, water transportation systems, and land use management.
The location, geography, and historical function of the SSRD The Sacramento-San Joaquin River