Contacts:

• Don Strickland, Information Officer, (916) 653-9515
• Ted Thomas, Information Officer, (916) 653-9712

This page chronicles the Jones Tract disaster story, which began with the collapse of a Middle River levee section on June 3, 2004.

News releases and pictorial accounts document the initial flood fight, levee repair and reinforcement, and the ongoing operation to pump the island dry.

• DWR Completes Jones Tract Pumpout -- Department of Water Resources officials report that the agency’s involvement in the Jones Tract floodwater pumpout project was completed and DWR personnel began demobilizing on Saturday, December 18, 2004. (12/20/04) more...
  
  November
  
  
• Jones Tract Pumping Update -- DWR officials report that the Jones Tract floodwater pumpout project will continue into December. (11/19/04) more...
  
  October
  
  
• Jones Tract Pumpout Project Expanded -- DWR officials report that the Jones Tract floodwater pumpout project has been expanded and the completion date extended. (10/15/04) more...
  
  September
  
  
• Jones Tract Pumpout Passes Three-Quarter Mark -- DWR officials report that the Jones Tract floodwater pumpout project has passed the three-quarter mark and continues on schedule for completion in October. (9/28/04) more...
• Jones Tract Pumpout Project Half Completed -- DWR officials report that the Jones Tract floodwater pumpout project has passed the halfway mark and appears to be on track for completion in October. (9/8/04) more...
  
  August
  
  
• Jones Tract Pumping Progress Videos and Photos -- DWR released new video on pumping progress in Lower Jones Tract from July 20 to August 19, 2004, and aerial video and photos of the entire flood area taken August 24. (Updated 8/26/04) Pumping Progress, August 24
• Jones Tract Video --DWR announces two new videos: "The Jones Tract Incident" and "A Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta Briefing". (8/17/04) more...
• Jones Tract Pumping Update -- DWR officials report that the Jones Tract floodwater pumpout project has passed the one-third mark. (8/13/04) more...
• Jones Tract Update -- DWR officials report that pumps removing floodwater from Jones Tract are on schedule and also that boating restrictions will be lifted. (8/5/04) more...
  
  July
  
  
• Soil and Water Tests -- Tests conducted by DWR indicate Trapper Slough levee material is not hazardous, but further study is warranted.(7/26/04) more...
• All Pumps in Operation at Jones Tract -- DWR officials reported today that all 10 pumps are now in operation at Upper and Lower Jones Tracts, flooded by a Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta levee break on June 3, 2004. (7/26/04) more...
• Jones Tract Pumpout Update -- DWR officials reported today that seven of 10 pumps are now in operation at Upper and Lower Jones Tracts, flooded by a Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta levee break on June 3, 2004. (7/23/04) more...
• Pumping Continues at Jones Tract -- DWR reported that pumps removing floodwater from Jones Tract since Monday, July 12, had lowered the level of the lake covering 12,000 acres of farmland by four inches. (7/16/04) more...
• Levee Break Pictorial -- Updated with aerial pictures of pumping operations and the continued work shaping the fill material used to close the levee breach. (7/16/04) more...
• New Jones Tract Video -- DWR Incident Command Post Director, Bill Burkhard, describes the status of pumping and the Dutra Company's progress on shaping the fill material used to close the levee breach. (7/14/04) video... (3.5MB .wmv - download Windows Media Player for Windows or Mac)
• Levee Break Pictorial -- Updated with pictures of start of pumping. Showcasing DWR photographs and video of the June 3, 2004 Upper Jones Tract levee break in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. (7/14/04) more...
• Pumping Increased at Jones Tract -- DWR officials reported today that four 42-inch pumps are now at work removing water from Upper Jones Tract. (7/13/04) more...
• Levee Break Pictorial -- Showcasing DWR photographs and video of the June 3, 2004 Upper Jones Tract levee break in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Updated with pictures of repairs and preparation for pumping. (7/13/04) more...
• Pumping Begins at Jones Tract -- A Department of Water Resources contractor began pumping water off Upper Jones Tract this afternoon, 39 days after a levee break flooded the 12,000 acres of farmland that comprise Upper and Lower Jones tract in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, about 10 miles west of Stockton. (7/12/04) more...
• Jones Tract Pumpout Update -- DWR announced today that pumping at Upper and Lower Jones Tracts, flooded by a Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta levee break on June 3, is projected to begin by Monday, July 12, or shortly thereafter. (7/9/04) more...
• Jones Tracts Pumpout to Begin -- DWR announced today that pumping at Upper and Lower Jones Tracts will begin the week of July 11. (7/7/04) more...
• Major Federal Declaration on Levee Break -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced President George W. Bush approved his request for a major disaster declaration on San Joaquin County's June 3rd levee break. (7/1/04) more...
  
  June
  
  
• Levee Break Filled -- DWR announced today that the June 3, 2004, Middle River levee breach at Upper Jones Tract has been closed. (6/30/04) more...
• Contract Award -- DWR has awarded a contract to dewater Upper and Lower Jones Tracts, flooded by a Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta levee break on June 3. (6/28/04) more...
• Jones Tract Pumpout -- DWR opened bids Thursday, June 24, 2004, for a contract to dewater Upper and Lower Jones Tracts, flooded by a Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta levee break on June 3. (6/25/04) more...
• Levee Break Update -- Crews working under contract to the DWR continue to make excellent progress in efforts to stabilize and repair Upper and Lower Jones Tracts. (6/22/04) more...
• Levee Break Pictorial -- Showcasing DWR photographs and video of the June 3, 2004 Upper Jones Tract levee break in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. (6/16/04) more...
• DWR Begins Demobilizing at Delta Levee Break Site -- DWR has begun demobilizing an emergency work force assembled to wage a crucial flood fight following the Upper Jones Tract levee break. (6/15/04) more...
• Delay in Opening Local Roads to Islands in Flood Area -- DWR announced Friday that Lower Jones Road and Middle Slough Road will remain closed until Sunday night or Monday morning. (6/11/04)  more...
• Increased Media Access In Delta Flood Area -- DWR and the Department of Fish and Game will open news media access to specific areas of the Jones Tract flood area on Friday, June 11, 2004, beginning at 8 a.m. (6/10/04)  more...
• Delta Levee Break -- DWR and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are coordinating efforts to ensure the maximum protection of water supplies for the State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project. (6/5/04) more...