San Francisco Estuary and Watershed Science Volume 23, Issue 1/2 | June 2026 is online now: bit.ly/3SkDNAF

Our latest issue is now online: bit.ly/4AZe02S

Dodrill et al. compare survival of hatchery Chinook salmon released onsite vs. downstream w/ 3 yrs of acoustic data. Downstream releases had higher survival in drought yrs, suggesting offsite releases can improve emigration under poor river conditions. bit.ly/3QB76OH

Central Valley flood bypasses are vital habitats for native fish. A 2021 symposium synthesized 20+ yrs of science, highlighting benefits. Ferguson et al. summarize & present restoration case studies & call for mgmt. strategies for fish & flood risk. bit.ly/4eVdLg6

Salmon migration routes through the Delta affect survival. Studying 3,004 tagged fish, Burdick et al. found all Chinook runs are influenced by tidal flow into Georgiana Slough, but late-fall run responds more at night. bit.ly/4w3o6fx

Starks et al. successfully identified 100% of formalin-preserved larval Delta Smelt by targeting a short (84-bp) mtDNA region via species-specific qPCR assay, confirming maternal lineage & offering viable genetic ID pathway for damaged, archived specimens. bit.ly/4eWSCSF

Gille et al. designed a 60%-open steel mesh enclosure for endangered #DeltaSmelt. After modeling & flume tests, deployments in a pond showed high survival (50-93%) & natural foraging, helping acclimate #DeltaSmelt & other at-risk species for safe release. bit.ly/4eDY9wj

In a featured essay, Luoma et al. give tribute to Dr. James E. Cloern, a towering figure in limnology and estuarine science whose global impact was matched by his contributions to the careers and lives of others. bit.ly/4xEV0ow

Editor-in-Chief Sam Luoma gives a sharp update for SFEWS in 2026. "Stay the Course" describes challenges to our publication schedule in the first six months and increased readership despite them. Read for details bit.ly/4viCCAe and subscribe.

McGill & Lacy found sediment bulk density in the #SFEstuary can be accurately predicted (93% of variation) by the % of fine particles. Models are system-specific; local conditions (tides & waves) affect density & erodibility, improving sediment budgets & restoration planning.

Pesticides in the Delta show complex patterns: H20 carried more hydrophilic pesticides, zooplankton absorbed more hydrophobic ones. Higher flows, esp. from Ag tailwater, ⬆️ pesticide conc. in #YoloBypass but ⬇️ in #SacRiver, highlighting risk of unintended effects from H20 mgmt.

Pelagic zooplankton is a key food source for endangered #DeltaSmelt, positively affecting their condition across all habitats. McCormick et al. found increasing zooplankton availability benefits #DeltaSmelt, regardless of proximity to tidal wetlands.

Peterson et al. find flooded wetlands in Suisun Marsh increased ~45% over 38 years due to a few sites. Spring/summer water availability varies annually & depends more on local mgmt than rainfall or river outflow. Making more wetlands semi-permanent may benefit breeding waterfowl.

Chapple et al. track progress across 4 key ecosystems to meet #DeltaPlan goals of restoring 60K-80K acres by 2050. Tidal wetland restoration leads, driven by ESA mitigation. Progress is promising, yet faster project planning & securing funding is critical to achieve targets.

Jensen et al. modeled how water flow, temperature, and exports affect endangered Sacramento winter-run #Chinook salmon migrating through the #CADelta. They found these factors are tied to their survival and routing, but key knowledge gaps remain on pathways and pump entrainment.

San Francisco Estuary and Watershed Science Volume 23, Issue 4 | December 2025 is online now escholarship.org/uc/jmie_sfe…

Using legacy hydrologic data, Hutton and Roy extended a monthly time-series of freshwater inflow to the #SFEstuary by 60 yrs to California’s Gold Rush era, revealing an increasing trend in systemwide water use that was preceded by a decline in the latter half of the 19th century.

How does risk of entrainment into Barker Slough Pumping Plant vary in space & time? If Nobriga et al.'s use of a 1-D model to estimate fish transport is accurate, then #DeltaSmelt & #LongfinSmelt spawned in Barker or Lindsey sloughs face a meaningful risk of entrainment at BSPP.

Gershunov et al. review AR science & their projected enhancement in a warming climate. Challenges for water mgmt may be mitigated by better & longer lead-times in weather and climate-forecasts, w/ modernized infrastructure, maintenance & improved observational networks.