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A peripheral canal designed to carry diversion supply waters from the Sacramento River around the east edge of the Delta to the diversion points could correct existing problems and prevent aggravation of such problems. Fish diverting works, consisting of a louver-type screen with fish by-pass, would be required at the head of the peripheral canal and all diversions from the canal would need to be screened. The canal should pass under or over the Mokelumne and San Joaquin Rivers to avoid interference with anadromous fish runs. It should be landscaped to provide for public use of its banks and waters for fishing and other recreational uses. Basic public facilities should be provided along its banks. It is important that such a peripheral canal be programmed for construction in advance of further alteration of natural flow patterns and depletion of outflow of the Delta. The peripheral canal around the Delta should be constructed prior to the need that will arise if water developed from north coast or other sources are routed through the Sacramento River. With this canal new water developed under ultimate extensions of the Pacific Southwest Water Plan can also be routed around the Delta with only minor detriments to the outstanding fishery of that area. In fact, with this peripheral canal installed, fishing benefits can be accomplished by means of releases past the point of diversion on the Sacramento River, and from the peripheral canal at points of crossing of the Cosumnes, Mokelumne, and San Joaquin Rivers and into the dead-end Delta sloughs. During the period of study for development of plans involving the Delta, and prior to any recommendations for authorization, monitoring and evaluation of the fishery and water quality should be conducted to determine the schedules of releases that will provide conditions throughout the Delta and in the Delta outflow that will maximize the fish production, fishing, and general recreational values of this important area. During this interim period, Delta outflow should be maintained at not less than 1,500 second-feet during June through August and 4,000 second-feet during September through May of each year except as the outflow rate may be varied for evaluation purposes or exceeded by floods or other uncontrolled flows. Suggested minimum releases past the point of diversion on the Sacramento River are 1,500 second-feet; into the Cosumnes River, 150 second-feet; and into the Mokelumne River, 300 second-feet. Additional releases from the San Joaquin River and the dead-end Delta sloughs should be determined by trial, monitoring and evaluation during the interim period. The East Side canal should be sized large enough to permit carriage of water to be released year round into the San Joaquin River and 32Epson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 14,096,384 byte