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Seminar on the California Delta

Houses built on levees in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

Houses built on levees in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta includes hundreds of miles of earthen levees that may be susceptible to catastrophic failure following a severe earthquake or overtopping due to sea level rise. These levees protect agricultural land and new housing developments, with older homes such as the ones here built on top of levees. However, upgrading them to current seismic standards may cost millions more than the value of the property they surround.

Credits: Peter B. Moyle