Stockton's Mormon Slough: From Dump to Green Space?

The Mormon Slough in Stockton, a 6.5-mile waterway that was largely dry and neglected for decades, is now the focus of a significant restoration effort. Originally a natural drainage channel, it was altered in 1910, leading to historical issues with flooding and sewage dumping. Following a 2023 flood event that highlighted the slough's vulnerability, Restore the Delta initiated a community-driven project.

This initiative has formed a coalition including local agencies, environmental groups, and community members to envision the slough's future. With $1.2 million in funding, over 70 community meetings have been held to analyze possibilities. These analyses are pointing towards the development of two potential park sites, one near a planned housing development and another near a major highway junction.

While the project is in the planning phase, with construction dependent on grant funding, the goals are ambitious. They include upgrading levees, creating community green spaces, and potentially using the slough for water flow to combat harmful algal blooms. This locally driven approach aims to balance community needs with broader Delta conservation goals, though challenges like securing further funding and past vandalism remain.