Join us for a Sept. 9 virtual journey into California’s most critical and controversial water region in the state, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and learn how the drought is impacting water quality and supply.

The Delta, a 720,000-acre network of islands and canals, supports the state’s two large water systems – the State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project – and, together with the San Francisco Bay, forms an important ecological resource. 

Water from the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers join at the Delta, serving farms, cities and an estuary, before heading south via canals and aqueducts to provide drinking water for 19 million Southern Californians and irrigation to 3 million acres of farmland that helps feed the nation.

This engaging online tour event on Sept. 9 will run from 2:30-5:30 p.m. PT and includes:

• An overview presentation of the region’s critical topics
• A guided video tour of key locations — farms, wetlands, infrastructure, wildlife habitats — to provide a stronger understanding of a variety of water supply issues and the latest policy developments
• Live Q&A with experts in chat rooms where attendees can dive deeper into the topics, including impacts of the drought

As part of the event, participants will receive our newly updated Layperson’s Guide to the Delta and be entered into a drawing to win one of our beautiful water maps.

Plus, don’t forget to register for our other virtual journeys into key California water regions this fall:

Virtual Northern California Tour: Thursday, Oct. 14

Journey along the Sacramento River and its tributaries to gain a deeper understanding of the issues associated with a key source of water that supplies much of California. Visit Oroville and Shasta dams, rice fields and wildlife refuges, and hear from farmers, biologists and water managers. Register here!

Virtual Central Valley Tour: Thursday, Nov. 4
Explore water supply challenges in the San Joaquin Valley, one of the nation’s most productive agricultural regions. You’ll hear from farmers, water managers, disadvantaged communities and others about how they’re meeting those challenges, including requirements under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Register here!

What attendees said about our virtual tours:

“Amazing event. Thank you so much. WEF is an amazing resource to the water community, which is everyone!”

“Great job! I want to see all this in person. Will have to be on the bus next year.”

“Thank you to all WEF staff for putting together such a great tour. Your ability to adapt is fantastic, and I hope that you produce more virtual tours like this.”

Send Nick Gray, our programs director, any questions via email.