Short-term and Long Term Transfer Programs

Client: San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority

Summary: The principal objective of the project was to analyze the effects of flow and hydrodynamics on Delta smelt and striped bass in the Bay Delta system. This involved the analysis of flow patterns on the distribution and abundance of fish in the Delta and the relationship to the San Joaquin River flows and in-Delta diversions. As part of the work, Cardno ENTRIX also analyzed the potential effect of the proposed VAMP flows on fish in the Delta. This work entailed detailed analyses of Bay Delta conditions including water year type, Delta outflows, San Joaquin River flows, Sacramento River flows, reverse flows, diversions, water quality, Delta cross channel operations, and X2 location. Detailed hydrodynamic conditions were modeled by John List of Flow Science using the Fisher Delta model. The hydrodynamic conditions present were then related to current and historical fish distributions and abundance. Analysis performed included statistical analysis, geographical analysis (using GIS) and fish population structure analysis. The geographical extent of the analysis ranged from Vernalis to San Pablo Bay and upstream on the Sacramento River to the I Street Bridge.