From the Department of Water Resources:
A Modern Solution for California’s Water Future
The Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) continues to advance as a state-of-the-art upgrade to California’s water delivery system, ensuring a reliable and affordable water supply for millions of residents across the state.
As this project moves forward, we remain focused on how it’s built differently, engineered to withstand earthquakes, floods, and climate-driven challenges while responding to impacts in Delta communities and the environment. This includes a $200 million Community Benefits Program to support locally driven initiatives that reflect the values and priorities of Delta communities. These investments are meant to provide lasting benefits for all those who live and work in the region.
Why This Project is Different
The Delta Conveyance Project represents a smarter, more efficient and community-conscious approach to modernizing California’s water infrastructure. Unlike earlier concepts, the project proposes a single 45-mile tunnel and two intakes, significantly reducing the physical footprint and associated impacts on surrounding communities. The current design also eliminates construction traffic on local Highway 160 and removes the need for barge landings, further reducing community disruption.
Built to Minimize Impacts: Every element of the project’s design reflects a commitment to reducing its footprint in the Delta:
- Strategic tunnel alignment: A single 45-mile underground tunnel along the Delta’s east side reduces land disturbance and avoids critical habitats.
- Minimal community disruption: Reduced launch shafts, haul routes along major highways and barge use keep neighborhoods and waterways open.
- Noise and habitat protections: Innovations like vibratory pile driving, sound barriers and phased construction protect sensitive species and maintain quality of life for nearby residents.
Engineered for California’s Challenges: The project is built to last for future generations, with resilience embedded in every component:
- Earthquake-ready infrastructure: Designed to safely operate after major seismic events.
- Flood and sea-level resilience: Facilities meet 200-year flood criteria and were designed in consideration of future sea-level rise.
- Smart construction methods: Techniques like semi-continuous tunneling and optimized pumping plant design help reduce materials, shorten schedules, and lower costs.
This approach ensures that California can secure its water future while respecting the Delta as a place and community.
Resources & Additional Information
- Reducing Impacts Fact Sheet
- DWR’s Comparison Fact Sheet
- DCA Design Solutions for Avoiding/Minimizing impacts
ICYMI – In the News:
Governor Newsom gives state lawmakers opportunity to make water supplies more secure for Californians
Since the 1960s, governors of both parties, quite different in their priorities, have struggled to protect water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Every time voters, legislators, or regulators defeated a governor’s proposal, another proposal replaced it. Why? Because when the status quo invites economic and ecological catastrophe, if you’re governor, doing nothing is derelict.
