delta

The debate centers on a measure that calls for prioritizing additional flows for endangered delta smelt, a species that has suffered major declines and is thought to be nearing extinction in the wild.

Ominously, the Paraná delta — the second largest river in South America after the Amazon — caught fire several years ago amid terrible drought.

Two meteor showers visible from the Northern Hemisphere, the Southern delta Aquariids and the alpha Capricornids, will peak between Monday and Wednesday.

And sea level rise is likely to complicate water managers’ efforts to manage salinity levels and meet water quality standards in the delta.

Leaders of environmental groups said they hope federal protections can help save the fish by placing additional restrictions on the pumping of water from the delta.