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Special Studies Section - Turbidity

  delta meadow  

The absence of delta smelt in the south Delta during recent years is likely a result of deteriorating habitat conditions, particularly decreasing turbidity caused by reduced sediment inputs and the "filtering" effect of expanding beds of aquatic weeds (Egeria) (IEP Newsletter, Winter 2009, p. 11).

Further technical studies are now in process to improve our understanding of temporal and spatial characterization of turbidity patterns throughout the Delta. For more information on these studies contact Francine Mejia.