Scientific Peer Review
The Delta Science Program is a leading coordinator of independent scientific peer review in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta scientific community. The Delta Science Program’s peer review process uses independent scientific experts and established guidelines to ensure credible and legitimate science can be used by water and environmental decision-makers. The Delta Independent Science Board also conducts science reviews that span the natural, physical, and social sciences.
Since 2010, the Delta Science Program has coordinated over 28 independent science reviews and science advisors (see table below). Reviews employ independent experts to evaluate completed scientific and technical processes, programs, plans, and products. Advisors, on the other hand, typically give input on the development of processes, programs, plans, or products. Both reviews and advisors respond to a set of questions (a “Charge”) and produce a report. The Delta Science Plan outlines the policies and procedures for both Independent Scientific Reviews (Appendix H) and Independent Science Advisors (Appendix I). Serial review types are linked, multi-step and/or multi-year reviews, for example Long-term Operations of the Biological Opinions (LOBO), Delta Regional Monitoring Program (Delta RMP), and WaterFix Aquatic Science.
We encourage you to review our information sheet and frequently asked questions. Please contact ReviewAdvice@deltacouncil.ca.gov for additional information or to request an independent scientific review or advice panel.
Reviews Table
| Review | Topics | Event Date | Report | Report Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer-Fall Habitat Action Monitoring and Science Plans and Structured Decision Making Approach Peer Review | Water Operations, Delta Smelt, Habitat, Hydrology, Water Quality, Decision Making | January-May 2024 | Final Letters for the Summer-Fall Habitat Action Peer Review | June 2024 |
| Long-Term Operations for the Central Valley Project and State Water Project Fish and Aquatic Effects Analysis Review Panel | Water Operations, Fish, Habitat, Modeling, Hydrology | November 2023-February 2024 | Fish and Aquatic Effects Analysis Final Peer Review Report | April 2024 |
| Final Water Temperature Model Development Independent Panel | Modeling, Water Operations | September 12-14, 2023 | Water Temperature Modeling Platform Final Peer Review Report | October 2023 |
| Independent Scientific Review of the State Water Project Delivery Capability Report | Modeling, Water Operations, Climate Change | Summer 2023 | Letter reviews now available | Fall 2023 |
| Mid-term Water Temperature Model Development Independent Panel | Modeling, Water Operations | 2022-July-19 | Water Temperature Modeling Platform Mid-Term Peer Review | Fall 2022 |
| Independent Scientific Review of the Delta Mercury Control Program Phase 1 | Water Quality | 2021-July-06 | Delta Mercury Control Program Phase 1 Tidal Wetlands and Open Water Methylmercury Control and Characterization/Control Reports - Independent Scientific Review | 2021-July-06 |
| Independent Scientific Peer Review of Performance Measures for Delta Plan Ecosystem Amendment | Climate Change, Fish, Habitat, Hydrology, Invasive Species, Levees, Modeling, Water Operations, Water Quality | 2020-Jan-07 | Independent Scientific Peer Review of Performance Measures for Delta Plan Ecosystem Amendment | 2020-Jan-07 |
| Independent Scientific Review of the Delta Mercury Control Program Phase 1 | Water Quality | 2019-Aug-23 | Delta Mercury Control Program Phase 1 Methylmercury Control Studies Independent Scientific Review | |
| Bay-Delta Plan Biological Goals Scientific Advisory Panel Meeting | Fish, Habitat, Hydrology, Water Operations, Water Quality | 2019-Mar-04 | Bay-Delta Plan Biological Goals Scientific Advisory Panel Meeting Report | 2019-Mar-04 |
| 2017 Long-term Operations Biological Opinions (LOBO) Biennial Science Review | Climate Change, Fish, Habitat, Hydrology, Water Operations, Water Quality | 2017-Dec-04 | 2017 Long-term Operations Biological Opinions (LOBO) Biennial Science Review Report | 2018-Jan-24 |
| Shore Based Ballast Water Treatment in California | Invasive Species, Water Quality | 2017-Oct-20 | Feasibility Study of Shore-Based Ballast Water Reception and Treatment Facilities in California Report | 2018-Apr-23 |
| Yolo Bypass Salmon Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Analytical Tool Review | Fish, Habitat, Hydrology, Modeling | 2017-Sep-07 | Yolo Bypass Salmon Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Analytical Tool Independent Scientific Review Report | 2017-Oct-20 |
| Independent Science Review of the Delta Regional Monitoring Program (Delta RMP) Monitoring Design: Final Phase | Water Quality | 2017-Jun-27 | Independent Science Review of the Delta Regional Monitoring Program Monitoring Design: Final Phase Report | 2017-Jul-31 |
| 2016 California WaterFix Aquatic Science Peer Review Phase 2B | Fish, Habitat, Modeling, Water Operations | 2017-Jan-23 | 2016 California WaterFix Aquatic Science Peer Review Phase 2B Report | 2017-Mar-10 |
| 2016 California WaterFix Aquatic Science Peer Review Phase 2A | Fish, Habitat, Modeling, Water Operations | 2016-Dec-08 | 2016 California WaterFix Aquatic Science Peer Review Phase 2A Report | 2017-Mar-10 |
| Sacramento Water Allocation Model (SacWAM) Independent Peer Review | Hydrology, Modeling | 2016-Oct-19 | Sacramento Water Allocation Model (SacWAM) Independent Peer Review Workshop Report | 2016-Dec-19 |
| An Independent Peer Review on the DWR report, "On Estimating Net Delta Outflow (NDO): Approaches to Estimating NDO in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta" | Hydrology, Water Operations | 2016-Sep-30 | Science Review of Report “On Estimating Net Delta Outflow (NDO): Approaches to Estimating NDO in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta” Report | 2016-Sep-30 |
| Independent Panel Review of the Delta Regional Monitoring Program (Delta RMP) Monitoring Design Phase I: Initial Review | Water Quality | 2016-Aug-23 | Independent Science Review of the Delta Regional Monitoring Program Monitoring Design: Initial Phase Report | 2016-Sep-23 |
| 2016 California WaterFix Aquatic Science Peer Review Phase 1 | Fish, Habitat, Modeling, Water Operations | 2016-Apr-05 | 2016 California WaterFix Aquatic Science Peer Review Phase 1 Report | 2016-May-12 |
| 2015 Long-term Operations Biological Opinions (LOBO) Annual Review | Fish, Habitat, Hydrology, Water Operations, Water Quality | 2015-Nov-05 | 2015 Long-term Operations Biological Opinions Annual Science Review Report | 2015-Dec-16 |
| Methodology and Scientific Basis to Support the Delta Levee Investment Strategy | Levees | 2015-May-19 | Delta Levees Prioritization Methodology Peer Review Report | 2015-Jul-02 |
| Science Review of Collaborative Adaptive Management Team (CAMT) Directed Research Proposal 'Evaluations of Key Assumptions Underlying Analyses of Delta Smelt Survey Data | Fish | 2015-May-15 | Science Review of Collaborative Adaptive Management Team (CAMT) Directed Research Proposal 'Evaluations of Key Assumptions Underlying Analyses of Delta Smelt Survey Data' Report | 2015-May-15 |
| Independent Review of the Collaborative Adaptive Management Team (CAMT) Proposed Investigations on Understanding Population Effects and Factors that Affect Entrainment of Delta Smelt at State Water Project and Central Valley Project | Fish, Water Operations | 2014-Nov-14 | Independent Review Panel (IRP) Report of the Collaborative Adaptive Management Team (CAMT) Proposed Investigations on Understanding Population Effects and Factors that Affect Entrainment of Delta Smelt at State Water Project and Central Valley Project Report | 2014-Dec-19 |
| 2014 Long-term Operations Biological Opinions (LOBO) Annual Science Review | Fish, Habitat, Hydrology, Water Operations, Water Quality | 2014-Nov-06 | 2014 Long-term Operations Biological Opinions Annual Science Review Report | 2014-Dec-12 |
| Science Review of Collaborative Adaptive Management Team (CAMT) Proposed Investigations on Characterization of Relations between Autumn Outflow and Survival, Recruitment, and Habitat Quality for Delta smelt | Fish, Hydrology, Water Operations | 2014-Sep-08 | Science Review of Collaborative Adaptive Management Team (CAMT) Proposed Investigations on Characterization of Relations between Autumn Outflow and Survival, Recruitment, and Habitat Quality for Delta smelt Report | 2015-Oct-01 |
| Independent Review of the Draft Bay Delta Conservation Plan Effects Analysis, Phase 3 - Chapter 5: Effects Analysis and Associated Technical Appendices | Habitat, Hydrology, Modeling, Water Operations | 2014-Jan-28 | Independent Review of the Draft Bay Delta Conservation Plan Effects Analysis, Phase 3 - Chapter 5: Effects Analysis and Associated Technical Appendices Report | 2014-Mar-17 |
| 2013 Long-term Operations Biological Opinions (LOBO) Annual Review | Fish, Habitat, Hydrology, Water Operations, Water Quality | 2013-Nov-06 | 2013 Long-term Operations Biological Opinions Annual Science Review Report | 2013-Dec-07 |
| 2012 Long-term Operations Opinions (LOO) Annual Review | Fish, Habitat, Hydrology, Water Operations, Water Quality | 2012-Oct-31 | 2012 Long-term Operations Opinions Annual Review Report | 2012-Dec-01 |
| Fall Low Salinity Habitat (FLaSH) Studies and Adaptive Management Plan Review | Fish, Hydrology, Water Operations, Water Quality | 2012-Jul-31 | Fall Low Salinity Habitat (FLaSH) Studies and Adaptive Management Plan Review Report | 2012-Sep-04 |
| 2011 Independent Review on the Implementation of Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) Actions Affecting the Operations Criteria And Plan (OCAP) for State/Federal Water Operations | Fish, Habitat, Hydrology, Water Operations, Water Quality | 2011-Nov-08 | 2011 Operations Criteria and Plan (OCAP) Annual Review Report | 2011-Dec-09 |
| Independent Panel Review of the Economic Sustainability Plan for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta | Human Dimension, Levees | 2011-Nov-01 | Independent Review of the Delta Protection Commission Economic Sustainability Plan Report | 2011-Dec-02 |
| Adaptive Management of Fall Outflow for Delta Smelt Protection and Water Supply Reliability | Fish, Hydrology, Water Operations, Water Quality | 2011-Jun-13 | Review of Draft Plan for Adaptive Management of Fall Outflow for Delta Smelt Protection and Water Supply Reliability Report | 2011-Jul-01 |
| 2010 Independent Review on the Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) Actions Affecting the Operations Criteria And Plan (OCAP) for State/Federal Water Operations | Fish, Habitat, Hydrology, Water Operations, Water Quality | 2010-Nov-08 | Workshop - OCAP Integrated Annual Review Report | 2010-Dec-09 |
| The Vernalis Adaptive Management Program (VAMP) | Fish, Hydrology, Water Operations | 2010-Mar-02 | Review of the Vernalis Adaptive Management Program (VAMP) Report | 2010-May-13 |