Peripheral Canal

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The Peripheral Canal does not physically exist. As an idea, it is a canal that diverts water from the Sacramento River, through (or around the periphery of) the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta, and into the California Aqueduct. That water (currently already being delivered via the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta) would then be pumped to Central and Southern California (including San Francisco Bay Area water providers, like Santa Clara Valley Water District).

Voters defeated a ballot initiative to build the Canal in 1982. Ever since then, the words "Peripheral Canal" have been called the "third rail" in water politics.

Some claim that many of California's current water management problems could be solved with a Peripheral Canal (such as flooding see http://wwwowe.water.ca.gov/newsreleases/2004/06-16-04floodpics.html), and similar plans (with different names) are under consideration.