Delta Stewardship Council

Achieve the Coequal Goals

California’s Delta is the largest estuary on the West Coast and is the hub of the state’s major water supply systems. It is inextricably linked to statewide issues that affect its ability to function in a healthy, sustainable way.

In November 2009, the California Legislature enacted SBX7 1 (Delta Reform Act), one of several bills passed at this time related to water supply reliability, ecosystem health, and the Delta. The Act, effective on Feb. 3, 2010, created the Delta Stewardship Council.

The mission of the Delta Stewardship Council is to achieve the coequal goals. As stated in the CA Water code, “‘Coequal goals’ means the two goals of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem. The coequal goals shall be achieved in a manner that protects and enhances the unique cultural, recreational, natural resource, and agricultural values of the Delta as an evolving place.” (CA Water Code SS 85054)

Broad Statewide Perspective

The Council is made up of seven members who provide a broad, statewide perspective and diverse expertise. In addition, they are advised by a 10-member board of nationally and internationally renowned scientists.

Because California’s Delta is linked to so many statewide issues, the Plan’s scope and purview will encompass decisions pertaining to statewide water use, flood management and the Delta watershed.

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Integrated Environmental Modeling

The National Science Foundation is sponsoring an Integrated Modeling Workshop to explore ways to improve the development and application of modeling for multipurpose management of changing estuarine systems. The two-day workshop will bring together experts from Europe, Asia and across the U.S. Potential solutions will be identified and discussed from multiple perspectives: government, academia, NGOs, consultants and stakeholders.

Delta Consumptive Water Use Comparative Study

This research project was convened by the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California Davis with financial support from the California State Water Resources Control Board Office of the Delta Watermaster and other agencies. Its objective is to develop a better understanding of consumptive water use in the Delta by coordinating modeling, measurement, and other information from a variety of independent research and estimation efforts.

Yolo Bypass: Managing a floodplain for multiple uses

This study will present a decision-making framework for balancing ecosystem and economic goals on the Yolo Bypass, a promising site for habitat restoration in the San Francisco Bay-Delta system. The bypass's primary purpose is to provide flood control for Sacramento, but it's also used for farming, duck hunting and bird-watching. We're developing an optimization model to explore when, where and how floodwaters might most economically be applied to manage all the diverse activities.

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