Hundreds of millions of dollars are being allocated to help curtail subsidence in the Delta-Mendota Canal.
The San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority announced Wednesday that the Delta-Mendota Canal Subsidence is receiving $204 million in federal funding.
Driving the news: The federal funding comes from the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act and will go toward improving the reliability of water deliveries.
Why it matters: The Delta-Mendota Canal, which runs 116 miles from Tracy to Mendota, was built in 1951 and designed to convey a flow rate starting at 4,600 cubic feet per second at the upstream end and 3,211 cubic feet per second at the downstream end.
- Subsidence along parts of the canal has reduced the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority’s ability to convey water by nearly 20%.
What they’re saying: “We are deeply appreciative of this important funding from the Bureau of Reclamation,” said Federico Barajas, the Executive Director of the authority. “This investment will accelerate our mutual efforts to restore the capacity of the Delta-Mendota Canal, ensuring reliable water delivery to communities that produce our nation’s food and technological innovation and the wildlife and wildlife enthusiasts that rely on the Pacific Flyway. This investment is a significant step forward towards restoring our water infrastructure to support future generations.”
Zoom out: The funding is part of an $8.3 billion initiative by the Bureau of Reclamation for water infrastructure projects across the nation.
