blog post Why Is the Delta Starving? By Sarah Bardeen Aug 9, 2021 PPIC Water Policy Center fellow James Cloern discusses his new study, which estimates—for the first time—just how much primary production the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has lost. Can the state restore this process, which forms the base of the Delta’s food chain?
Report Envisioning Futures for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, William Fleenor, Jeffrey Mount ... Feb 7, 2007 California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is widely perceived to be in crisis today: its levee system is fragile, many of its native species are declining rapidly, and it lacks strong governing institutions to deal with its problems. In its current state, the Delta is unsustainable for almost all stakeholders. This report provides a comprehensive, scientifically up-to-date analysis and outlines several alternative management strategies for the Delta. To view individual chapters, click on the links below. Summary Introduction The Legacies of Delta History Drivers of Change Within the Delta The Future of the Delta as an Aquatic Ecosystem A Crisis of Confidence: Shifting Stakeholder Perspectives on the Delta Water Supply Adaptations to Changes in Delta Management Delta Options and Alternatives Evaluating Delta Alternatives Financing and Governing a Soft Landing Conclusions and Recommendations Maps (full-color)
blog post Stressful Times for Drought-Stricken Delta By Lori Pottinger Oct 5, 2015 How is the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta faring? An interview with the vice-chair of the Delta Stewardship Council.
Report California’s Water: The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Jeffrey Mount, Peter Moyle ... Nov 12, 2018 The Delta is the deteriorating, fragile hub of California’s water supply system. Critical decisions about its future are pending. This brief looks at various approaches being proposed to improve management and health of the Delta.
blog post How Have California’s Water Issues Changed in the Past Thirty Years? By Sarah Bardeen, Ellen Hanak, Jeffrey Mount, Brian Gray Aug 5, 2024 PPIC drew its first breath thirty years ago—back when Ace of Base was topping the charts and the White House had launched its very first webpage. What has changed in California’s water in the past three decades? We sat down with our experts to find out.
Report Advancing Ecosystem Restoration with Smarter Permitting By Letitia Grenier, Stephanie Panlasigui, Crissy Pickett, Gokce Sencan Aug 16, 2021 California’s ecosystems are vital to the state’s economy and wellbeing, yet they’re in dire health. Large-scale restoration is needed, and implementing smarter permitting can help.
blog post The Yolo Bypass: It’s a Floodplain! It’s Farmland! It’s an Ecosystem! By Lori Pottinger Jul 29, 2019 The Sacramento River needs room to spread in wet years. The Yolo Bypass allows it to safely flood while also providing habitat. Scientist Ted Sommer explains this unique landscape.
blog post Commentary: Newsom’s Water Framework Is Imperfect but Necessary. The Alternative Is Further Deterioration of the Delta By Ellen Hanak, Jeffrey Mount Feb 10, 2020 The PPIC Water Policy Center assesses the proposed Newsom framework for managing the Delta and its watershed.
blog post Commentary: California Must Stop Relying on the Endangered Species Act to Manage the Environment By Jeffrey Mount Dec 5, 2019 California’s freshwater ecosystems are under pressure and aquatic biodiversity is in decline. The state needs a new approach to protect the many beneficial uses these ecosystems provide.
