The Sacramento Delta. The Sacramento River enters the diagram from the north, flowing south then west. The San Joaquin River enters from the south, flowing north past Stockton.
The delta consists of a myriad of small natural and man-made channels (locally called sloughs), creating a system of isolated lowland islands and wetlands (defined by dikes or levees). The extensive system of earthen levees has allowed wide-spread farming throughout the delta, one of the most fertile agricultural areas in California. However, a burst dike can result in the flooding of a vast tract of land. On June 4, 2004, a 350 foot (110 m) section of a levee 10 mi (16 km) west of Stockton collapsed, flooding the Upper Jones Tract, a 648 acre (2.6 kmē) "island".
The many channels throughout the delta are a popular destination for boating and fishing, and provide habitat for migratory birds. Before the building of more modern highways, automobile transportation throughout the area was accomplished by roadways along the levees and one of the most extensive systems of cable ferries in North America. Today, channels of the delta are spanned by over 50 drawbridges.
The Sacramento River Delta is given as an example of an inverted river delta. The fan-shaped area of the of the delta converges downstream, rather than diverging, as the two rivers are forced to exit the Central Valley through the Coast Range via the narrow channel known as the Carquinez Strait leading into San Francisco Bay.
Sacramento Valley is home to two rivers, two lakes and a 1,000-mile labyrinth of navigable riverways that provide rich agricultural resources to this 'Delta' country.
Sacramento, first settled by famed mountain man, Jedediah Smith, in 1827 in his search for new sources of fur, has been very important to the history of California and is the home of the state capital.
Sacramento became the state capital in 1854, the capitol building was completed in 1874, and after the Gold Rush, the city became a major center for the developing commercial agriculture industry.
The famous Riverboat Delta King of the 20's is beautifully restored and converted to an upscale hotel with a popular restaurant, entertainment, lounge and meeting and banquet facilities.
At the heart of the Delta King is the popular Pilothouse where locals meet for outstanding food served in Sacramento's most attractive setting.
Overlooking the picturesque Sacramento River, the Pilothouse is a "don't miss" dining experience for locals and visitors alike.
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