In theory, a delta tunnel could work. Gavin Newsom’s proposed underground aqueduct is to divert water from the Sacramento River beneath the fragile wetlands, waterways and islands that make up the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to an artificial body of water about 25 miles southwest of Stockton known as Clifton Court Forebay. The problem is that when the powerful pumps are running near Clifton Court to drive more water to Southern California and the Central Valley, they reverse the natural flow of delta water and interfere with migrations of endangered fish. A delta tunnel could also take a big gulp of water when the Sacramento runs too high and send it south to refill reservoirs and groundwater basins. Those standards should apply to the federal as well as the state water projects, regardless of Trump’s objections.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 26, 2020 10:52 UTC