California's Department of Water Resources plans for future drought with salinity barrier study

On Monday, California's Department of Water Resources (DWR) released a draft Environmental Impacts Report, which looked into the benefits and potential negative impacts of repeated use of a temporary drought salinity barrier in the delta. This drought barrier is in the West False River. It is a wall of earth that helps to keep salt water from the Bay Area from infiltrating into the freshwater delta system during times of severe drought. During non-drought conditions, runoff from rainfall and snowmelt combined with regular freshwater releases from major reservoirs keep that saltwater well away from the delta. But as water supplies dwindle, water releases must be limited to ensure that other water needs can be met.