Welcome to Delta Science Plan 2019
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Delta Science Plan 2025
The Delta Science Program leads the development of the Delta Science Plan, a shared framework that provides vision, principles, and approaches for better coordinating science in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and more effectively communicating the outcomes of science activities and their management implications to policymakers. Initially released in 2013, the Delta Science Plan fulfills a recommendation in the Delta Plan (GR1) and supports requirements in the Delta Reform Act of 2009, which calls for the use of science in developing and implementing all Delta policies and management. The Delta Science Plan has been updated approximately every six years (in 2019 and now 2026) to reflect emerging concepts, evolving management needs, and new opportunities for collaboration. The document is intended for use by the broader Delta science community and was developed through an open, transparent, and inclusive process. The Delta Science Plan proposes mechanisms to conduct science in support of achieving the vision of One Delta, One Science. This vision refers to an open Delta science community that works collaboratively to build a shared body of scientific knowledge with the capacity to adapt and inform water, environmental, and societal decisions. The Delta Science Plan is also an element of the three-part Delta Science Strategy, a collection of guidance documents to achieve the vision of One Delta, One Science. The other two elements are the State of Bay-Delta Science and the Science Action Agenda.
The draft 2026 Delta Science Plan is available for public comment until January 20, 2026, and we encourage community feedback to help shape its final form. Comments may be submitted via this online survey, via email at collaborativescience@deltacouncil.ca.gov, or mailed to the address below to be considered for the final version. The online survey (anonymous optional) will allow you to submit comments on each individual action from the draft 2026 Delta Science Plan.
Delta Science Program
Collaborative Science and Peer Review Unit
715 P Street, 15-300
Sacramento, CA 95814
The four grand challenges outlined in the 2026 Delta Science Plan include:
Figure 1. Process for developing the Grand Challenges to Delta science.
Access the final Grand Challenges essay, "Grand Challenges in Delta Science: Planning for Science in a Dynamic System,” and view the summary sheet and comments received during the public review period.
The draft 2026 Delta Science Plan includes 24 actions organized around the four grand challenges. Each action has an associated example (referred to as “current momentum”) to showcase existing or planned initiatives while encouraging new connections and inspiration for future work.
The draft 2026 Delta Science Plan also includes eight Resources (formerly Appendices) that provide practical and useful information for the Delta science community and are responsive to the actions within.