California Bay-Delta: Leader in climate adaptation
California aims to become leader in climate adaptation.
The American government is requiring California to protect the life of certain species of fish and pump less water out of the California Bay Delta. But compliance will result in less water being available to distribute among the farmers situated far from the delta. This is only one of the recent problems faced by Californian water managers. The water flows from the Sierra Nevada, via the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the San Francisco Bay where it flows into the Pacific Ocean. The dykes near the city of Sacramento and those in the delta itself are poorly maintained and often threaten to collapse.
Water supply and agriculture
California’s major problems are agriculture’s huge water demand and the drinking water supply. The delta is the heart of the state’s water supply, providing 25 million people and 45 percent of America’s vegetable and fruit cultivation with water.
Salt intrusion
Additional problems are the southern part of the state drying out and the expected rise of the sea level, which will result in further salt intrusion via the Pacific delta. The issue has become hugely complex and grown beyond the control of the water managers. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger commissioned the Delta Vision, an ambitious plan that will cost tens of billions of dollars and is designed to result in sustainable water management across the entire delta by 2020.
Expensive canal
The Californian public is currently taking part in the discussion on the matter. Residents are involved in a lively debate with agriculture concerning a hugely expensive canal surrounding the delta that would supply the southern part of the state with additional water.
Leader
Phil Isenberg, Chairman of the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force, will shed some light on the plan at Aquaterra 2009, with an emphasis on the major ambitions of the state of California. Will Travis, Executive Director of the San Francisco Bay Conservation Development Commission, will underscore California’s goal to lead the way in climate adaptation.
For the entire conference programme overview, click here.
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