Since 1940, the Contra Costa Canal has helped deliver clean, reliable water to hundreds of thousands of people across East and Central Contra Costa County. Running 48 miles from the Delta to Martinez, the canal has supported generations of families, farmers, and businesses. It’s a critical system that operates quietly in the background—largely unnoticed but absolutely essential.
But like any major piece of infrastructure, the canal is showing its age. The canal consists of two key segments. The Main Canal stretches 26 miles from CCWD’s Delta intake near Oakley to Clyde, just north of Concord. This section delivers 99% of CCWD’s total water supply, moving untreated water to treatment plants before it reaches homes and businesses. The Loop Canal, a smaller 22-mile segment, winds through Concord, Walnut Creek, and Pleasant Hill before ending in Martinez.
Built nearly 90 years ago, the open concrete-lined canal faces increasing challenges from severe weather events, landslides, debris, and age. Maintaining the canal requires constant attention—from clearing trash racks to repairing its concrete liner. In addition to these increasing challenges, the open water channel is a safety risk and has exposure to outside contaminants.
That’s why Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) is planning for the future. Through a multi-year effort known as the Canal Replacement Program, CCWD is developing a long-term, phased blueprint to upgrade the canal system—starting with the most critical portions. The idea is not to replace everything at once, but to make smart, thoughtful investments that ensure the system continues to serve the community for generations to come.
Instead of an open canal, future segments may be replaced with large, buried pipelines. This change would bring multiple benefits: improved public safety, reduced maintenance needs, greater resilience to storms and earthquakes, and better protection for water quality.
CCWD recently launched a new outreach campaign, “Serving Today, Planning for Tomorrow,” to help the public learn more about the canal’s legacy and its future. A short video at ccwater.com/canal tells the story—how the canal came to be, what it means to our water supply, and why action is needed.
Provided by the Contra Costa Water District
Canal History
- 1920s: Drought and increased Delta salinity has farmers and business owners looking for water solutions.
- 1931: California Legislature adopts State Water Plan, including a “Contra Costa Conduit.”
- 1933: California Governor James Rolph signs the California Central Valley Project Act, authorizing construction of water infrastructure, including Contra Costa Canal. However, the state has no money and is unable to sell project bonds during the Great Depression.
- 1937: The project is transferred to the federal government to be carried out by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
- 1937: Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Contra Costa Canal are held in Oakley.
- 1940: Water is delivered to City of Pittsburg for first time.
- 1948: Entire 48-mile canal, from Rock Slough to Martinez, is completed.
- 1972: CCWD takes over operations of Contra Costa Canal.
- 1973: Fencing is installed along Contra Costa Canal to reduce drownings.
- 2010: CCWD customers fully repay federal government for Contra Costa Canal components.
- 2019: The Contra Costa Canal Transfer Act becomes law.
Other Related CCWD stories:
- Feb 5 – Water District Announces Water Awareness Youth Art Contest
- Jan 9 – Statement: Los Vaqueros Reservoir JPA Approves Dissolution
