Delta Happenings
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In this issue
EVENTS
NEWS
OPPORTUNITIES: COMMENT, LEARN, LEAD
ROAD, BRIDGE, AND FERRY CLOSURES
HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS UPDATE
DELTA AGENCY MEETINGS
EVENTS
NEWS
SR4 Flood Adaptation Strategy Workshops: Nov. 5
The San Joaquin Council of Governments and Caltrans are studying ways to address flood risks and prepare for emergency evacuation along State Route 4.
The public is invited to help evaluate the draft recommendations and guide the development of improvements for the corridor. Workshops will be held via Zoom on Nov. 5 12:15-1 p.m. and 5:30-6:15 p.m. Registration is required; register here.
Illegal Dumping in SJ County Waterways Drops 50%
Illegal dumping calls for service in San Joaquin County have dropped 40% since 2023-24, when the county established its "Three E's" plan - Education, Enforcement, and Eradication - to address the problem.
The drop was detailed in a report that the Illegal Dumping Task Force presented to the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 20. The report highlighted a decrease in tire dumping by 49%, appliances by 36%, waterway dumping 50%, and general dumping down 88% during 2025-26.
State Water Board Adopts Bay-Delta Plan Update
The State Water Resources Control Board last week adopted its updated Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Watershed (Bay-Delta Plan).
At the center of the updated plan is a new model for protecting water quality that provides two enforceable pathways to achieve the plan’s objectives and improve the health of the Bay-Delta: One pairs commitments by participants in the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes program - previously known as the voluntary agreements - with enforceable requirements and a strong regulatory backstop. The other is a more traditional regulatory pathway focusing primarily on enhanced flows.
Inland Wetlands Nature-Based Solutions Summit
A variety of state agencies and nonprofits will convene at UC Davis on Nov. 12 for the Inland Wetlands Nature-Based Solutions Summit.
The daylong event will honor implementation leadership and successes across the state, increase connectivity among partners, and explore key opportunities to scale nature-based solutions in inland wetlands.
Learn more and register.
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Apply to Become a California Water Leader Through Dec. 3
The year-long California Water Leaders program is aimed at emerging leaders involved with water whether they are attorneys, engineers, farmers, environmentalists, scientists, planners, tribal members or communication specialists.
This program of the Water Education Foundation is open to people working for federal or state agencies, local water and irrigation districts, nonprofits, tribal organizations or private businesses that are involved in water.
Among the program's alumni: Delta Protection Commission Executive Director Amanda Bohl (Class of 2014), and DPC Senior Environmental Planner Sarah Sugar (Class of 2019).
Rio Vista Chamber Raising Money for Bass Derby Fireworks
 The Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce aims to raise $30,000 to bring the traditional fireworks show back to its annual Bass Derby.
"Over the past three years, escalating costs and rising insurance expenses have created substantial financial hurdles," the Chamber writes in its fundraising page. "In 2026, the fireworks show was canceled because of lack of funding and rising insurance costs, and the community was disappointed when it was not held."
'Big Notch' Prepares for Second Operating Season
 The eponymous "big notch" in Fremont Weir (Xavier Mascareñas / California Department of Water Resources)
The California Department of Water Resources is preparing for the second operating season of the Big Notch Project, which began operations in November 2025, reports Yolo County's Yolo Bypass News.
Located at Fremont Weir, the project is designed to improve fish passage and provide additional rearing habitat for juvenile salmon in the Yolo Bypass.
Check for project operational updates here, and sign up for Big Notch Project updates by email here.
OPPORTUNITIES: COMMENT, LEARN, LEAD
Just Transitions in the Delta
The final exhibition and public workshop will be held this week for the Just Transitions in the Delta project - an effort to envision adaptation strategies in the Delta under conditions of drought, salinity, and sea-level rise.
The workshop runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday Nov. 5, with an open gallery preceding it 9-10 a.m. The exhibition, which features detailed scenario visualizations, interactive models, and performance reviews, is open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. today through Saturday, Nov. 7.
Learn more about the project here, and register for the workshop here.
Comment on DPC 'Farmland Conversion in the Delta' Report at Meetings Nov. 12 and 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 public can also comment on the report at the Delta Protection Commission's Nov. 12 meeting and the Delta Protection Advisory Committee's Dec. 1 meeting.
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.
ROAD, BRIDGE, AND FERRY CLOSURES
Freeport Bridge Daytime Closures in November
 Steve Payer / California Department of Water Resources
Freeport Bridge will be fully closed to vehicle traffic from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays Nov. 2-30 while Sacramento County completes structural repairs to the bridge. The bridge will reopen to traffic each evening.
Sacramento County, the lead agency for the structural repair project, has provided a live webcam where travelers can check whether the Freeport Bridge is open or closed at metro14live.saccounty.net/freeport.html.
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:
- One-way traffic control from Bacon Island/Trapper Road to the Old
River Bridge, 8 p.m.-4 a.m. through Nov. 6.
- Overnight, connector ramp closures from westbound SR-4/Crosstown Freeway to northbound Interstate 5 for bridge inspections 9 p.m.-5 a.m. through Nov. 4.
SR-12 One-Way Traffic Controls near Suisun
There will be one-way traffic control on SR-12 8 p.m.-5 a.m. through Friday, Nov. 6, Caltrans reports.
Crews will be removing K-rail, installing guardrails, doing vegetation control, and installing an asphalt concrete dike and shoulder backing.
Harmful Algal Blooms Update
 As of Monday, Nov. 2, these are the locations of harmful algal bloom advisories in the Delta.
Visitors are advised to 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
- 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.
Nov. 12: Delta Protection Commission meets at 5 p.m. The agenda is posted here.
Nov. 19: Delta Stewardship Council meets. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
Dec. 1: Delta Protection Advisory Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
Dec. 9: The Delta Stewardship Council meets to decide on appeals of the revised certification of consistency for the Delta Conveyance Project.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
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Delta Protection Commission
2101 Stone Blvd Suite 200, West Sacramento, CA 95691
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