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 also made its way to San Francisco Bay and included a ferry ride.

Water from Northern California flows through the Delta and provides drinking water for more than 27 million Californians and irrigation to about 3 million acres of farmland that contribute to the state’s $54 billion agricultural industry. 

Planned 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 tunnel 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 said about this tour:

“I really liked the chance to see many places in the Delta and the Bay, including some places I’d been to before but this time saw in a different way through a different lens. I loved hearing many different perspectives. The tour ended up being a really great way to get to know my coworkers better.”

“Listening to the stories of the farmer was fascinating. I liked the wide range of perspectives, learning about all of the amazing resources in the area, and 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.”

Planned Stops Included:

• Delta islands & levees
• State fish screens
• Delta Cross Channel
• Los Vaqueros Reservoir
• Federal pumping plant near Tracy
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model
• Working fishing pier in San Francisco
• Aquarium of the Bay
• Suisun Marsh
• Antioch Brackish Water Desalination Project

Planned Topics Included:

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

Tour Start & End Points:

The tour started at 7:30 a.m. on May 15 and ended at 6:30 p.m. on May 17 at the Water Education Foundation office, 2151 River Plaza Drive, Suite 205, Sacramento, CA. Free parking was available.

The tour included overnight stays in Stockton and Walnut Creek which were arranged by the Foundation and covered by the registration fee.

The Courtyard Sacramento Airport Natomas is next door to the Water Education Foundation and also offered a shuttle to/from Sacramento International Airport (SMF). A discounted room rate was arranged there and self-pay booking options were provided upon registration for the tour.

Pricing Details:

General – $999 (one person, single-occupancy room)

Fee included all tour meals, transportation, materials, snacks and hotel accommodations once the tour began Wednesday. Meals covered by the registration fee included lunch on Wednesday through lunch on Friday. Participants were responsible for their own transportation to and from the tour’s beginning and end point.

A limited amount of scholarship funding was available to pay for a portion of the tour. Scholarships were awarded based on a few factors, including:

• Financial need
• Reason for scholarship request
• How the education & experience was to be used after the tour

Cancellation & Refund Policy:

The deadline to cancel and receive a refund was three weeks prior to the first day of the tour due to lodging, meal and transportation commitments. Substitutions were allowed up to five business days before the tour. Eventbrite fees were nonrefundable and the remaining amount may have ben subject to an additional processing fee.

We recognize that unexpected conflicts with our tours could occur from time to time. The Water Education Foundation recommended to consider arranging travel insurance from a provider of your choice soon after tour registration to protect against such unfortunate events.

Continuing Education Credits:

MCLE credits were available only for California attorneys for an additional fee, and may have been available for water plant/wastewater plant operators and other vocations/professions.