God, United Methodists, Nature, and California Water

f

Sherman Is

land

Sacramento River

San Joaquin River

God, United Methodists, Nature, and California Water

God, United Methodists, Nature, and California Water

AnalogyAnalogy

Jeremiah 2:13 “For my people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water”. Cistern as an analogy to the bearer of God’s spirit God’s spirit in water – what would baptism be without water? What would life be without water? An earthkeeper’s perspective is Man’s relationship with nature as well as in relation to God. I use cistern as an analogy to California’s great water system, the CVP/SWP

Jeremiah 2:13 “For my people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water”. Cistern as an analogy to the bearer of God’s spirit God’s spirit in water – what would baptism be without water? What would life be without water? An earthkeeper’s perspective is Man’s relationship with nature as well as in relation to God. I use cistern as an analogy to California’s great water system, the CVP/SWP

Delta Dynamics Not Easily Understood. Delta Dynamics Not Easily Understood.

Tail = Rope Legs = Tree trunks

Body = Wall Trunk = Snake Tusk = Spear Ears = Fan

Tail = Rope Legs = Tree trunks

Body = Wall Trunk = Snake Tusk = Spear Ears = Fan

Personal JourneyPersonal Journey

Circa 1956 in the San Joaquin Delta

California HydrologyCalifornia Hydrology

Averages 73 million acre feet per year

Varies in space: 76% produced in northern third of state.

Varies in time: 80% from November through March. May through September are typically rainless.

Averages 73 million acre feet per year

Varies in space: 76% produced in northern third of state.

Varies in time: 80% from November through March. May through September are typically rainless.

CaliforniaCalifornia

Fifth largest economy in the world with $1.5 trillion annual gross state product (as of last fall).

California produces 1/3 of the nation’s crops.

80% water demand by lower 2/3 state.

Fifth largest economy in the world with $1.5 trillion annual gross state product (as of last fall).

California produces 1/3 of the nation’s crops.

80% water demand by lower 2/3 state.

Reasons for UrgencyReasons for UrgencyLevee and water diversion failures imminent in the DeltaInconsistent design, construction, and maintenance of leveesLevees not as reliable or as safe as dams.Island subsidenceProximity to major earthquake faults - 6.5 RichterClimate ChangeIncrease range of tidal fluxIncrease in storm surge Water supply at capacity limits - (88%-92%)San Joaquin flow reversals - over 300 days annuallyFish population collapses - Several species at all-time lowsDeclining water quality - Ag return flow, stockyards, dairy operationsSalt importation into SJ Valley increasing - 1 million tons/yearHuman population increasing - about 1 million/year (50 M 2026)Outflow to SF Bay 1/2 of historical

Levee and water diversion failures imminent in the DeltaInconsistent design, construction, and maintenance of leveesLevees not as reliable or as safe as dams.Island subsidenceProximity to major earthquake faults - 6.5 RichterClimate ChangeIncrease range of tidal fluxIncrease in storm surge Water supply at capacity limits - (88%-92%)San Joaquin flow reversals - over 300 days annuallyFish population collapses - Several species at all-time lowsDeclining water quality - Ag return flow, stockyards, dairy operationsSalt importation into SJ Valley increasing - 1 million tons/yearHuman population increasing - about 1 million/year (50 M 2026)Outflow to SF Bay 1/2 of historical

Typical Delta Hydrological Budget

Delta Atlas 1995(1980-1991)

Typical Delta Hydrological Budget

Delta Atlas 1995(1980-1991)

Sacramento System

San Joaquin System

Other

Flow to the Bay

Water supply exports

Losses

INPUT OUTPUT

76%

20%

4%

18%

6%

76%

27840 TAF

Central Valley Project(USBR website)

Central Valley Project(USBR website)

San Joaquin River used as water supply (Friant Dam, Madera Canal, Friant-Kern Canal)

Sacramento River used to resist seawater intrusion during incoming tides (Shasta and Folsom dams) and to freshen San Joaquin water (Delta Cross Channel).

Mitigation water to senior water rights holders (Delta Mendota Canal)

Freshwater diversion site for Pittsburg and Antioch (Contra Costa Canal)

CVP NEVER designed to use Sacramento River water as water supply.

(SWP uses Feather River and relies upon through Delta water conveyance.)

San Joaquin River used as water supply (Friant Dam, Madera Canal, Friant-Kern Canal)

Sacramento River used to resist seawater intrusion during incoming tides (Shasta and Folsom dams) and to freshen San Joaquin water (Delta Cross Channel).

Mitigation water to senior water rights holders (Delta Mendota Canal)

Freshwater diversion site for Pittsburg and Antioch (Contra Costa Canal)

CVP NEVER designed to use Sacramento River water as water supply.

(SWP uses Feather River and relies upon through Delta water conveyance.)

SAC

SJR

Water supply exportsexportoutflowMIX

Sacramento River

San Joaquin River

Sherman IslandThree Mile Slough

Van Sickle Island

Aerial photograph showing lack of mixing at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers.

The Key Concept: water behaves differently

The Key Concept: water behaves differently Sacramento

River: Higher gradient (0.026).

Higher momentum. Higher hydraulic. Energy.

Higher inertia. Colder in summer Lower suspended solids concentrations

Sacramento River: Higher gradient (0.026).

Higher momentum. Higher hydraulic. Energy.

Higher inertia. Colder in summer Lower suspended solids concentrations

San Joaquin River: Lower gradient (0.016).

Lower momentum. Lower hydraulic energy.

Lower inertia. Higher residence time

San Joaquin River: Lower gradient (0.016).

Lower momentum. Lower hydraulic energy.

Lower inertia. Higher residence time

They do not immediately mix!They do not immediately mix!

SJR

SAC

The Key ConsequencesThe Key Consequences

Sacramento River water is largely unavailable to Jones PP (CVP) or Banks PP (SWP).

Through Delta conveyance is infeasible.

Sacramento River water is largely unavailable to Jones PP (CVP) or Banks PP (SWP).

Through Delta conveyance is infeasible.

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Sherman Is

land

Sacramento River

San Joaquin River

Ecological Canaries:Fishes of the two

Deltas

Ecological Canaries:Fishes of the two

DeltasSPECIES Delta smelt (T) Longfin smelt (ST)

Striped bass YOY Threadfin shad Chinook salmon (ET)

Steelhead (T)

SPECIES Delta smelt (T) Longfin smelt (ST)

Striped bass YOY Threadfin shad Chinook salmon (ET)

Steelhead (T)

CRITICAL FACTOR No current, SJR No current, SJR Needs plankton Needs plankton Ocean? Home? Ocean? Home?

CRITICAL FACTOR No current, SJR No current, SJR Needs plankton Needs plankton Ocean? Home? Ocean? Home?

AFRP 1992-2006 : Fall-run Chinook Salmon

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

80

100

U. Sac StemCow Ck Clear Ck.Cottonwood Ck.Battle Ck.Mill Ck. Deer Ck.Butte Ck.Feather R.Yuba R. American R.Mokelumne R.Cosumnes R.Stanislaus R.Tuolumne R.Merced R.

Percent of 1967-1991 Production Baseline

SACRAMENTO WATERSHED EASTSIDE STREAM SAN JOAQUIN WATERSHED

341 328102 245 109

What you can doWhat you can do

Remember Proposition 9 in 1982 (Both sides lied).

Gather information and decide (you can do this!).Is protecting California’s economy important?

Should ecosystems be restored as we fix the water system? (Be not against nature)

Cost will be $3 billion and up. Spend it well.

Remember Proposition 9 in 1982 (Both sides lied).

Gather information and decide (you can do this!).Is protecting California’s economy important?

Should ecosystems be restored as we fix the water system? (Be not against nature)

Cost will be $3 billion and up. Spend it well.

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOUR GOD

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOUR GOD