Introduction to the Delta Smelt flow alteration white papers

Larry R. Brown

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USGS · 70243174

Introduction to the Delta Smelt flow alteration white papers

Larry R. Brown

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Abstract

The management of the quantity and timing of freshwater flow into and through the San Francisco Estuary (SFE) is a perennial source of controversy in California. It is well known that freshwater outflow is a major environmental driver in estuarine ecosystems, including the SFE. However, the estuary is also the hub of California’s water distribution system, which supplies water to over 25 million Californians and a multibillion-dollar agricultural industry. This tension between water supply and maintaining flows to maintain environmental quality is at the core of the controversy.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 37.38439884189815° to 38.310018990096125° latitude; -122.98094279060476° to -121.79974134416376° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Larry R. Brown. 2022. Introduction to the Delta Smelt flow alteration white papers. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70243174

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