Project description
The Delta Wetlands Project will transform four low-lying islands in the Central Delta within San Joaquin and Contra Costa counties into two Reservoir Islands and two Habitat Islands.
Project description
After decades of farming and subsidence, the islands' elevations are now more than 20 feet below sea level. By fortifying the surrounding levee systems and installing new pumps, siphons, and state-of-the-art fish screens, the project can store significant amounts of water on the two Reservoir Islands, forming a greatly needed new surface water storage facility. During wet months (December to March), after environmental regulations and senior water rights are satisfied, the project will store a small percentage (2.4% on average) of surplus winter water if available. During dry summer months, when water is needed, stored water will be released back into the Delta. And with the Semitropic Water Storage District partnership, water developed during wet years can be stored underground and delivered during dry years when needs are most critical. The Reservoir Islands will have the capacity to store 215,000 acre-feet of water and, on average, can deliver about 160,000 acre-feet of new water each year.
The Habitat Islands, located in the Pacific Flyway, will contain 9,000 acres of wetland and wildlife habitat (which is two-thirds the size of Manhattan and larger than the Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area and the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge combined). They are designed in association with the California Department of Fish and Game, and will be protected in perpetuity by conservation easements.
