Stanford University sits on the shores of one of the world's great estuaries, the San Francisco Bay/Delta, the connection of the inland river systems of the Central Valley, notably the Sacramento River, to the Pacific Ocean. This course is intended to provide an introduction to these California waters including elements of California history, current scientific understanding of its physical and ecological functioning, descriptions and underpinnings of engineering manipulations of the system, and the intersection of science and engineering with policies designed to manage its resources. Because of the important effects that water resources development have had on the system, Bay-Delta science, engineering and policy are completely intertwined with the management of the water supply of California. Thus, we will also examine relevant issues in California water that touch on the Bay Delta including an overall description of California hydrology, the State and Federal water projects and how they are managed, legal and governance issues, including the application of the Endangered Species Act to several species of Bay-Delta fish, and recent and ongoing attempts at balancing protection/restoration of the ecological functioning with maintenance of a sustainable, stable water supply for the state of California in the face of changes in hydrology associated with climate change.
3 units · Letter (ABCD/NP) · GER: WAY-AQR
Stanford University sits on the shores of one of the world's great estuaries, the San Francisco Bay/Delta, the connection of the inland river systems of the Central Valley, notably the Sacramento River, to the Pacific Ocean. This course is intended to provide an introduction to these California waters including elements of California history, current scientific understanding of its physical and ecological functioning, descriptions and underpinnings of engineering manipulations of the system, and the intersection of science and engineering with policies designed to manage its resources. Because of the important effects that water resources development have had on the system, Bay-Delta science, engineering and policy are completely intertwined with the management of the water supply of California. Thus, we will also examine relevant issues in California water that touch on the Bay Delta including an overall description of California hydrology, the State and Federal water projects and how they are managed, legal and governance issues, including the application of the Endangered Species Act to several species of Bay-Delta fish, and recent and ongoing attempts at balancing protection/restoration of the ecological functioning with maintenance of a sustainable, stable water supply for the state of California in the face of changes in hydrology associated with climate change.
Offered in Winter 2026 at Stanford University.