Independent research and analysis of California's developed water systems
In spite of protests by Delta legacy community groups, there has been substantial engineering work on a single tunnel project since DWR rescinded the approvals for the twin tunnel project on May 2, 2019.
This evaluation is done in comparison with the Principles for State Investment of Climate Adaptation, developed by California Water Research and supported by the One Water Network of environmental organizations.
While Governor Newsom's single Delta tunnel is likely to have less capacity than Governor Brown's twin tunnels, it could be operated in ways that could significantly increase Delta exports.
On August 28, 2019, the Sacramento Press Club held a panel on Droughts, Tunnels & Clean Water: A Conversation on California Water Policy . Panelists included Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot, MWD general manager Jeff Kightlinger, and the State water Contractors general manager Jennifer Pierre. The transcript of the panel is now up on Maven’s … Continue reading Delta tunnel – commitment to updated science on sea level rise
In a dramatic development, MWD's general manager revealed that the Delta tunnel project may need radical revision to protect against 5-10 feet of sea level rise by 2100.
On May 2, 2019, the Department of Water Resources published a fact sheet on “Modernizing Delta Conveyance Infrastructure Q&A.” The fact sheet states that the California Ocean Protection Council has recommended “that projects with a lifespan beyond 2050 be built to withstand 10 feet of sea level rise by 2100.” The Department of Water Resources … Continue reading Delta tunnel: Sea level rise and elevation of the North Delta
The Department of Water Resources delegated the design and construction of the WaterFix project to the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority in the October 2018 Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement. The Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement included performance standards for the engineering design of the project. The performance standards included requirements that the Delta … Continue reading DWR rescinds engineering performance standards for Delta tunnel
Governor Gavin Newsom stated in his February 12, 2019 State of the State address that he did "not support the WaterFix as currently configured.
How is the engineering work on the single tunnel being paid for, given that all project approvals were rescinded? The meeting materials for the July 2019 Design and Construction Authority Board meeting show there are no long term funding commitments.
Governor Newsom’s April 29, 2019 Executive Order mandated that the California Natural Resources Agency and the California Environmental Protection Agency assess “current planning to modernize conveyance through the Bay Delta with a new single tunnel project.” Part of the agencies' assessment of that planning should include an independent, objective assessment of the Delta tunnel's performance … Continue reading Assessing the Delta tunnel project as a seismic upgrade