Sacramento San Joaquin Delta maps showing elevations, canals, tunnels, barriers, restoration, fish migration pathways and more.

Delta Maps updated 01/17/2012

Maps tell a story. And maps convey historical data quickly. We suggest you click on some of page links to see historic Delta maps by the topic or issue listed below, and then go to the pages showing the planning maps for the different "building blocks" of the central canal, first proposed in the 1960's. Double-click on the map thumbnails of each map. We also have a general planning maps section, but it is not divided into issues. Please also note that planning documents and maps showing online at DWR, BDCP and other agencies should be seen at those websites. PDF of quick links here: deltalinks.pdf

see also:	Delta Planning Maps by Topic or Issue
Historic Maps	Delta-related studies, by topic or Issue	& Delta Plans for the future
	Water flow and use***	Maps: Conveyance and Canal plans*** Issues
	Floods, Islands and Levees***	Surveys of Sacramento and San Joaquin Delta islands
	Elevations, Seismic and Subsidence***	Barriers and Gates** *
	Fish Studies!!!***	Delta Counties
	Land Use and Ownership***	Restoration Plans & BDCP
	In-Delta water storage ***	Sacramento San Joaquin shipping
	Computer Modeling The Delta (1/2012)	Tule and Rice Farming
	Recreation Navigation & Transportation	Climate change
	People and References	Suisun Marsh
01/17/2012 last update	Water salinity toxins wq	Comparing maps and data... 101 Wrong Delta Maps! 12/14/2011

Sacramento San Joaquin Delta maps-general

Delta restoration and use-general

A mishmash of Sacramento San Joaquin Delta planning maps

For a huge page full of the more recent planning map links, go to our EVEN MORE Planning Maps page which actually only has about 1/2 the maps as it has not been updated with the newer research maps. Or to search by years, below and on the following pages you can click on the thumbnails to see enlarged versions of the maps representing the Sacramento San Joaquin from the 1840's to the most current planning maps we could upload here. We've gathered literally over 1000 map copies and uploaded as many as possible, so others will be able to quickly understand what the Delta is now. Maps are "pictures" that quickly tell a story of the evolution of the Delta. Most Delta lands are still PRIVATE PROPERTY. The state sold the land to farmers and families to use for farming, residents, and commercial endeavors. Now the State and Federal agencies want the land back ... You see, many of the smaller farms of the Delta ( 10 acres to 2000 acres) have been in the same family for five generations. People do not want to sell their family heritage, family memories, family means of income.

Maps tell a story:
The map series from 2003-2009, found in various planning documents produced by USBR, DWR, and other state/federal agencies portrays a plan to use barrier gates to stop fresh water from escaping from the "central canal" area, and to keep fish from the western part of the San Joaquin from being sucked into the central canal and therefore at risk for suction into the water pumps. The barrier gates would serve two important functions: keep fresh water in, keep fish out. Planning maps show 2, 4 and more gates. The other use for gates: divert fresh water into Delta water storage islands, which has been proposed since 1998 or earlier for specific privately-owned Delta islands like Webb Track and Bacon, and for Nature Conservancy owned, public money purchased Staten Island

Maps are a quick way to summarize a study, IF the map is intended to be an accurate representation. Big IF since 2004:
The map below seems to give a good indication of the focus areas for "restoration" over time. Note that the word restoration has been redefined to include changing ecosystems from fresh water to brackish water to mitigate other fresh water areas that will be destroyed by the New Delta Plan. BDCP has near term and long term restoration plans. Long term would most likely include management of the entire Delta, with the Delta split north to south by the central conveyance canal. Southwest of the central canal, below Ryer Island area would more likely end up with more salty or brackish water. There might also be east side restoration of lands already owned by the governing agencies, and this area would be all fresh water.
Go to More Restoration Planning Maps

Maps and history:
The governor and his backers are quite adamant that in the near term, they want to develop the "central canal" and in the long term develop the east side canal. The central canal would be possible in the near term (2010 to 2015) by enlarging some of the existing waterways, like the Mulokolmne River, and diverting water from the Sacramento River. They are already building water intake areas off the Sacramento River, if one takes a ride along 160 to see the building locations currently behind fences. Looking back to studies and documents from 1998 to 2006, it appears the government set the stage for building the Central Canal using several "building blocks", and they already went through the EIR/EIS process for much of it. The water intake at Hood, 4 gates projects in the South Delta are examples of building blocks already approved and in implementation process. In the meantime, northern California Bay Area water districts have also been planning and building new or improved water intake facilities, each time planning to take additional water from the SACRAMENTO River. The increase in water resources will allow for future building in Northern California as well.
To to More Conveyance Planning Maps