Delta smelt woes could hurt city water supply

By KERANA TODOROV, Register Staff Writer

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta pumping station that supplies water for American Canyon and other North Bay cities could be subject to shut-downs next year because of the reported danger they pose to an endangered fish called the Delta smelt, public officials said last week.

“The amount of water could be restricted or cut off next year,” said Felix Riesenberg, principal water resources engineer with the Napa County Flood Control District. Riesenberg was addressing American Canyon’s Blue Ribbon Water Committee on Tuesday.

The concern is due primarily to the breeding cycle of the smelt, said Riesenberg and American Canyon Public Works Director Robert Weil.

Populations of the smelt, a 2- to 3-inch long slender fish listed on the state and federal endangered species lists, have declined for years. The fish is only found in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Estuary, an area where the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers flow into the San Francisco Bay, according to the state Department of Fish and Game.

The Barker Slough Pumping plant, which pumps water into the North Bay Aqueduct is close to prime smelt habitat, Riesenberg said. The aqueduct supplies dozens of cities, including most in Napa County. Although cities such as Napa also have local water supplies.

If the threat to the smelt shut down the pumps, by next summer American Canyon would lose about half of the amount of water it needs, Weil said.

The city could get by, Weil said, yet probably would impose serious water conservation measures.

The smelt has been the subject of lawsuits in state and federal courts. That has led the state Department of Water Resources to shut down its Harvey O. Banks pumping plant near Tracy early June.

American Canyon’s Blue Ribbon Committee, which includes business leaders and residents, was recently formed to take an all-encompassing view of the city’s water and sewer issues, including water conservation measures and the need to expand the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Water supplies as well as water and sewer rates are also expected to be discussed.

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