Delta Happenings
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In this issue
EVENTS
NEWS
ONGOING
ROADS, BRIDGES AND FERRIES
HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS UPDATE
DELTA AGENCY MEETINGS
EVENTS
A sampling of what's coming up in the next two weeks in the Delta:
- The Annual San Joaquin County Tractor Fest in Lodi on Oct. 10
- Oktoberfest celebrations in Brentwood on Oct. 10 and Crockett on Oct. 11.
- Kids-oriented Digs & Rigs in Brentwood on Oct. 17
- Witching Wine Walk in Benicia on Oct. 17
- All Abilities Day at the Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley on Oct. 20.
Get details on these events and more at our VisitCADelta events calendar.
Got an event for the calendar? Submit your Delta event here.
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NEWS
Golden Mussel News
Governor Signs Asm. Ransom's Golden Mussel Bill
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Asm. Rhodesia Ransom’s AB 2032, the Golden Mussel Response Act, giving California water agencies tools to respond faster to the invasive species threatening the state’s waterways and critical water infrastructure.
Because AB 2032 was passed as an urgency measure, the law takes effect immediately.
“Protecting the Delta and California’s water infrastructure has always been one of my top priorities," said Ransom, who is an ex officio member of the Delta Protection Commission. "Today, with my Golden Mussel Response Act signed into law, California has a stronger and faster response to the growing golden mussel crisis. We are at the forefront of this fight here in the Delta, and I thank Gov. Newsom, my colleagues in the Legislature and our local water managers for working with us to meet this threat with urgency.”
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SJ County Supervisors Host Delta Golden Mussel Tour
 The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Ad Hoc Golden Mussels Committee took experts on the water last month for a firsthand look at the threat.
The tour was part of an effort to sound the alarm and garner additional regional and national support in the fight against golden mussels in the Delta.
Track Golden Mussel Sightings
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Track sightings of golden mussel at this California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.
In addition to a map showing the locations of confirmed sightings, the page also includes information about how to protect uninfested waterways by cleaning, draining, and drying watercraft and equipment.
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Clearing Aquatic Invasives in the Delta for Public Lands Day (Video)
 Water primrose puts up a good fight, but this aquatic invasive species was no match for 14 volunteers at the Cosumnes River Preserve on National Public Lands Day. Nor were free-riding crawdads.
Read DPC Communications Intern Makena Lendahl's account of this public service event here (includes video).
Grants for Removing Illegal Dumping on Farms and Ranches
Grants for cleaning up illegal disposal sites on farm and ranch property are available from CalRecycle.
Oct. 7 is the next deadline for applying, but applications will be accepted for the next cycle of grants through Jan. 6.
New Flood Mapping Tool Now Widely Available
The National Weather Service announced on Sept. 24 that Flood Inundation Mapping, a revolutionary tool for predicting river flooding, is now available on an experimental basis to nearly 100% of the U.S. population.
FIM produces estimates of land area covered in water based on model forecast river flows and current conditions that predict where flooding impacts may occur in the following days. It’s a tool for forecasters, emergency managers and the public that alerts users to the latest river and stream flooding conditions.
New: Early Warnings for Harmful Algal Blooms
A new technique to measure chemical “alarm cues” from marine predators can forecast toxic algal blooms up to seven weeks in advance.
The technique, adapted by UC Santa Cruz researchers, can be integrated into existing programs.
Read more at Maven's Notebook.
ONGOING
Comment on DPC 'Farmland Conversion in the Delta' Report at Meetings Tonight and on Dec. 1, or in Writing Through Dec. 1
Public comment on the Delta Protection Commission’s draft report, “Farmland Conversion in the Delta: Protecting Agriculture as Part of the Coequal Goals,” is open through Dec. 1. The draft report can be found here (PDF), and comments may be emailed to the Delta Protection Commission at submit@delta.ca.gov.
The report will be presented to the Delta Protection Advisory Committee at its next two meetings: 5:30 p.m. today at the Big Break Visitor Center, 69 Big Break Rd., Oakley, and on Dec. 1.
Register for the 2026 Delta Heritage Forum
The annual Delta Heritage Forum explores “Delta as Culinary Journey” on Nov. 5 at a full-day event celebrating food-related cultural stories in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, both historic and modern. Learn more and register.
Applications Open for Delta Leadership Program Through Nov. 20
Applications are open for the 2027 Delta Leadership Program, a joint effort of the Delta Protection Commission and the Delta Leadership Foundation. The program targets potential or emerging leaders in the Delta from all walks of life – agriculture, law enforcement, local government, non-profit organizations, local business, and the tourism and hospitality sector. Learn more and apply.
Roads, Bridges, and Ferries
The Latest SR-4 Closures
Long-term, 24-hour, one-way traffic control will be implemented on SR-4 at the Old River Bridge (San Joaquin/Contra Costa County line) for construction through November. Upcoming work includes:
- Overnight, one-way traffic control from Whiskey Slough in Holt to the Old River Bridge (San Joaquin/Contra Costa County line) for paving work 8 p.m.-4 a.m. through Friday, Oct. 9. Learn more.
- Overnight, intermittent one-way traffic control from SR-99/Golden Gate Avenue to the San Joaquin/Stanislaus County line for pavement work 7 p.m.-7 a.m. through Friday, Oct. 9. Learn more.
- A 36-hour full closure from Roberts Road to the San Joaquin/Contra Costa County Line from 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, through 10 a.m. Sunday Oct. 25. Learn more.
J-Mack Ferry Closed through Oct. 9
Suspension of service for the J-Mack Ferry has been extended to 12:01 p.m. Oct. 9, according to the Caltrans QuickMap app. View the original announcement.
Construction for New Signal on SR-12
Construction on a new signal for Highway 12 at Jackson Slough Road will lead to reversing one-way traffic control overnights Monday through Friday, 8 p.m.-5 a.m., during construction, which is expected to run through fall. Learn more.
Harmful Algal Blooms Update
 As of Monday, Oct. 5, these are the locations of harmful algal bloom advisories in the Delta.
For all areas with advisories, stay away from algae and scum in the water. Do NOT let pets go in the water, drink the water, or eat scum on the shore. Keep children away from algae. Do not eat shellfish from this waterbody.
- Big Break Regional Shoreline - Boat Launch, Danger
- Smith Canal - Louis Park boat ramp, Caution
- Smith Canal - near American Legion Park, Caution
- Victoria Canal - near Union Point, Visual Observation
- West Canal - at Clifton Court Intake, Visual Observation
- Old River - at Clifton Court Intake, Visual Observation
- Grant Line Canal - near Old River, Visual Observation
- Old River - downstream of the ORT barrier, Visual Observation
DELTA AGENCY MEETINGS
The 2026 schedule for the Delta Protection Commission's public bodies is here. The schedule includes meeting packets as they become available, and approved minutes.
Oct. 6 - TODAY: Delta Protection Advisory Committee meets. The agenda is posted here.
Oct. 15: Delta Stewardship Council meets. The agenda is posted here.
Oct. 28: The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy board meets 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
Nov. 12: Delta Protection Commission meets at 5 p.m. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
Dec. 16: Delta NHA Advisory Committee meets at 1 p.m. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
Not sure which Delta agency is which? This fact sheet (PDF) explains the missions and roles of the Delta Protection Commission, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, and the Delta Stewardship Council.
Send us your Delta news, events, or photos:
submit@delta.ca.gov
The DPC is on social media:
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Delta Protection Commission
2101 Stone Blvd Suite 200, West Sacramento, CA 95691
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