Water Supply Impact Analysis of Proposed Water Quality Control Plan for Salinity for San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary

This paper presents the procedures and techniques employed as part of the Bay-Delta proceedings to evaluate the water supply impacts of various proposed flow and water quality objectives for the Delta. The primary tool selected for analyzing the impacts was DWR's Planning Simulation Model. A number of alternative objectives to protect various beneficial water uses were proposed by the Board in their plan. Simulation studies were formulated and conducted to analyze the proposed objectives individually and in combination. Impacts were examined by comparing study results with a base study using current Delta flow and salinity requirements. The CVP-SWP system was used as a surrogate to the whole system to evaluate overall water supply impacts. These impacts could then be used to evaluate the relative benefits or trade-offs of proposed changes in Delta flow or water quality objectives. This process brought various water interests together so that agreement on technical methodology could be used as a basis for reaching a clearer understanding of statewide impacts of proposed Delta water quality plans.