California drought

California to dam Delta sloughs if drought persists

"The temporary dams would consist of rock barriers piled across the entrance to three Delta channels: Sutter Slough and Steamboat Slough, branching off the Sacramento River near Courtland; and False River, branching off the San Joaquin River near Oakley.

In the case of the first two sloughs, DWR project manager Mark Holderman said the goal is to make the most of limited freshwater outflows that might be available in the main stem of the Sacramento River. The barriers would allow that fresh water to be held in the river, rather than branching into the side channels. This would concentrate its force and better hold back sediment that naturally would creep in from San Francisco Bay as river flows dwindle because of the drought."

Andy, commenting on Robertscribbler's blog, notes:

"For those folks who post here, from California, do you remember some of the events of the 97 El Nino? Specifically the Sacramento River. It almost topped the levies. Tons of houses and farms were in grave danger.

For those who don’t know the area, farms + housing are under the river level. River is held back by very old levies. The land has receded, river has silted. Now the river is higher.

Now we go to today. They are putting that “semi dam” in place to keep the salt water from running up the delta due to the depleted river discharge.

Now add an El Nino, perhaps a 97/98 repeat. I suspect that would not turn out well."

http://robertscribbler.wordpress.com/2014/03/21/far-worse-than-being-beaten-with-a-hockey-stick-michael-mann-our-terrifying-greenhouse-gas-overburden-and-heating-the-earth-by-2-c-by-2036/#comment-10512

http://www.sacbee.com/2014/03/11/6229290/california-to-dam-delta-sloughs.html