ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to evaluate the possible impact of changes in the estuarine system forcing on sediment dynamics with a focus on the highly engineered estuary of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta). Suspended sediment concentration (SSC) is an important ecosystem health indicator. The Delta is an event driven estuary, during the wet season Sacramento River pulse defines the main sediment dynamics, increasing local SSC and exporting sediment towards the Bay. The hydrodynamics analysis is the same as for the SLRS. The decrease of 62% of the sediment input leads to a sharp decrease in the sediment budget in the entire North and Central Delta. The change in the pumping location from South Delta to Sacramento River changes the sediment path in the Central Delta but has little effect on the Northern Delta. A 3D model provides excellent material to future studies on ecosystems in terms of possible changes and mitigation actions.
