This tour traveled deep into California’s water hub and traversed the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a 720,000-acre network of islands and canals that supports the state’s water system and is California’s most crucial water and ecological resource. The tour made its way to San Francisco Bay and included a ferry ride.

Water from Northern California flows through the Delta and heads south to provide drinking water for more than 25 million Californians and irrigation to 3 million acres of farmland that contribute to the state’s $54 billion agricultural industry. 

Stops included the Delta Cross Channel, the Bay Model in Sausalito, Los Vaqueros Reservoir and Suisun Marsh. Issues discussed included Delta planning initiatives, the proposed tunnels project, water project operations, fish passage, ecosystem restoration, levees and flood management, Delta agriculture, storage, and drinking water quality and water supply reliability.

This 3-day, 2-night tour featured experts who discussed the issues and controversies with this important resource, farmers who grow produce and environmentalists who are trying to bolster declining fish populations.

What attendees say about this tour:

What did you like best?

“Seeing the Delta with my own eyes. Getting a better handle on issues & complexity of the Delta. Thoughtful, informative speakers. The Bay Model!”

“Listening to the stories of the farmer was fascinating. Wide range of perspectives, learning about all of the amazing resources in the area, connecting with other professionals in the water industry.”

“The Bay Model was simply amazing, could have spent hours there. It was just an awesome three days all together.”

Stops Included:

• Delta islands and levees
• State fish screens
• Delta Cross Channel
• Los Vaqueros Reservoir
• Federal pumping plant at Tracy
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model
• San Francisco Bay
• Aquarium of the Bay
• Suisun Marsh
• Clifton Court Forebay

Topics Included:

• Delta restoration plans
• Agriculture, water rights
• State and federal water project operations in the Delta
• Studies and debate on Delta conveyance
• Levee integrity, subsidence and flood management
• Water project operations and efforts to protect fish
• Water quality, salt intrusion and drinking water treatment
• Ecosystem restoration projects, wetlands and waterfowl
• Land use and planning
• Climate change and infrastructure challenges
• Los Vaqueros expansion
• Fish population and pumping restrictions

Tour Start and End Point:

This tour started at 7:30 a.m. on June 5 and ended at 6:30 p.m. on June 7 at Sacramento International Airport.

Pricing Details:

Regular Price – $970 (one person, single-occupancy room)

Early Bird Price – $940 if you register online by May 6. Click on the orange registration​ button above.

Fee included all tour meals, transportation, materials, snacks and hotel accommodations once the tour began. Participants were responsible for their own transportation to and from the tour’s beginning and end point.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

Deadline to cancel and receive a full refund was three weeks prior to the first day of the tour due to hotel, meal and transportation bookings. Substitutions were allowed up to five business days before the tour. Refunds may be subject to a 10% processing fee.

Continuing Education Credits:

Continuing education credits are available for attorneys for an additional fee, and may be available for water plant/wastewater plant operators and other vocations/professions.