Currently, 70% of water used in
the Tri-Valley is imported from
outside our region. How in the
world does it get to the Tri-Valley?
Follow along with us on our
water’s journey as it travels from
the snow packed peaks of the
Northern Sierra Nevada to the
homes and businesses of the
Tri-Valley area.
The journey begins at one of the
highest points in California at the
Sierra Nevada. The rainfall and
snow collected on these mountain
tops each winter melts in the
spring which is how our water’s
journey begins.
The freshly melted water pours
over the beautiful Feather Falls.
The water then flows into Lake
Oroville, a precious reservoir for
our state water system.
When it is needed, the California
Department of Water Resources
will release water through the
Oroville Dam into the Feather River.
Water will then travel along
the Feather River for 127 miles
until it reaches the Sacramento
San Joaquin Delta. Quite the
journey already! And we are
only halfway there!
You will often hear the Sacramento
San Joaquin Delta referred to as
the California Delta, the San
Francisco Bay Delta or simply the
Delta. The Delta is important as it
creates a “fork in the road” as water
begins to diverge into different
directions. One important
divergence for the Tri-Valley is here,
where water is pumped from the
Delta into the California Aqueduct.
Water from the California Aqueduct
flows into Bethany Reservoir where it
makes another important divergence.
Here water is pumped into the South
Bay Aqueduct, a series of man-made
channels and pipes that bring most of
our water into the Tri-Valley. Situated
northwest of the Altamont Hills, it
moves water in the channel into
eastern Alameda County.
The water will continue to one of
two reservoirs in the Tri-Valley,
Lake Del Valle, or Patterson Pass
Reservoir, which store or hold the
majority of our surface water.
Water can be pumped from the
reservoirs when needed to be
treated at one of the Zone 7
water treatment facilities.
After treatment, it continues its
journey to our homes and
businesses through our network of
Tri-Valley water partners.
Learn more about the partners on
our
What a journey that was!
Our water must travel over 200
miles before beginning the
treatment process that makes it
safe for our everyday use!
Currently, 70% of water used in the Tri-Valley is imported from outside our region. How in the world does it get to the Tri-Valley? Follow along with us on our water’s journey as it travels from the snow packed peaks of the Northern Sierra Nevada to the homes and businesses of the Tri-Valley area.
Follow along Tri-Valley’s
water journey
The journey begins at one of the highest points in California at the Sierra Nevada. The rainfall and snow collected on these mountain tops each winter melts in the spring which is how our water’s journey begins.
The freshly melted water pours over the beautiful Feather Falls.
The water then flows into Lake Oroville, a precious reservoir for our state water system.
When it is needed, the California Department of Water Resources will release water through the Oroville Dam into the Feather River.
Water will then travel along the Feather River for 127 miles until it reaches the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta. Quite the journey already! And we are only half way there!
You will often hear the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta referred to as the California Delta, the San Francisco Bay Delta or simply the Delta. The Delta is important as it creates a “fork in the road” as water begins to diverge into different directions. One important divergence for the Tri-Valley is here, where water is pumped from the Delta into the California Aqueduct.
Water from the California Aqueduct flows into Bethany Reservoir where it makes another important divergence. Here water is pumped into the South Bay Aqueduct, a series of man-made channels and pipes that bring most of our water into the Tri-Valley. Situated northwest of the Altamont Hills, it moves water in the channel into eastern Alameda County.
The water will continue to one of two reservoirs in the Tri-Valley, Lake Del Valle, or Patterson Pass Reservoir, which store or hold the majority of our surface water.
Water can be pumped from the reservoirs when needed to be treated at one of the Zone 7 water treatment facilities.
After treatment, it continues its journey to our homes and businesses through our network of Tri-Valley water partners. Learn more about the partners on our partner page.