How to Reconnect the Floodplains
New Infrastructure and Management Practices that connect working lands, bypasses, refuges, and rivers to support fish, birds, wildlife, and people in the Sacramento Valley.
See How We Activate the Floodplains
In a managed flood control and water delivery system, we must focus on reconciliation ecology if we are to ensure there is water and habitat for our native birds, fish, and wildlife. Through this video, we highlight where and how we can create habitat while ensuring a functioning flood control system, safe drinking water for communities and are able to support our farms and working lands.
These four key actions bring much-needed stability in an ever-changing climate and growing demand for California water. Through increasing the number of years bypasses are activated, by supporting winter flooding on ricelands, ensuring water is delivered to wildlife refuges, and identifying more oxbow activation along the rivers, we can provide the habitat that fish and wildlife depend on.
Download Info DocumentBypasses Activation in Drier Years
Bypasses (Yolo, Sutter, Tisdale, Sacramento) typically provide benefits to fish and wildlife in normal or wet years, when river flows are higher and relief is needed to prevent flooding in areas across the valley. Through habitat gates, or managed notches, we can allow the water to spread out onto the land, even during lower flows. The water still drains down toward the Delta and returns to the system as it would if in the river, albeit this time, with the opportunity for fish and birds to take advantage of this valuable habitat.
Riceland Seasonal Flooding
Each year, approximately 270,000 acres of rice are flooded to create wintering wetland habitat for birds, fish, and wildlife. While migratory waterfowl and shorebird species can access various locations, fish are reliant on human management for floodplain food access, especially when bypasses are not activated.
After harvest, rice farmers use water to help decompose the remaining rice straw, and paired with sunlight, the organic material breaks down to support the billions of zooplankton that reproduce at rapid rates. Instead of having the zooplankton die off, we have a chance to send that food into the river.
Learn More About the Fish Food Effort
Sustainable Support of Wildlife Refuges
National and state wildlife areas are important havens for California’s native species. With improved water reliability, water managers can continue to deliver water to these sites year after year. When these refuges are supported with the necessary water levels during seasonal needs, we can help mitigate against extreme heat and dry spells while maintaining water quality. Continuing to deliver water to the refuges can reduce the stress felt by wildlife that depends on these wetlands.
Seasonal Activation of Oxbows
The meandering Sacramento River has created several oxbows throughout the valley. While each oxbow can take on different shapes, feature different fauna, and offer various flow speeds, these bends can create rest stops for endangered fish and migratory birds. Some of these oxbows are located on working lands, while others are protected areas, both designations function at a time when species need it the most and when it does not impact working lands, or public safety. Identifying locations that meet the needs of fish and wildlife could have a lasting impact on the health of these species’ populations.
Moving Forward
By connecting working lands, bypasses, wildlife refuges, and the rivers, we can improve our flood protection system and create a more sustainable future for fish, birds, wildlife, and people. But it can’t be done alone, it will take the entire valley working together to see a vibrant and healthy watershed. Through collaboration among local, regional, and national partners, we can uncover innovative solutions, determine appropriate funding sources, and reduce cumbersome permitting processes that will ultimately lead us to our goal of creating a sustainable valley for all.
A 31-member organization representing landowners, irrigation districts, higher education, and conservation groups. The coalition, and the collaborative model of dynamic conservation, has resulted in farms, refuges, and managed wetlands providing essential habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds as well as potential food production for endangered fish species.
