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Empire Tract facts for kids

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Empire Tract
Aerial image of an island.
USGS aerial imagery of the Empire Tract
Empire Tract is located in Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta
Empire Tract
Empire Tract
Location in Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta
Empire Tract is located in California
Empire Tract
Empire Tract
Location in California
Empire Tract is located in the United States
Empire Tract
Empire Tract
Location in the United States
Geography
Location Northern California
Coordinates 38°03′55″N 121°28′48″W / 38.06528°N 121.48000°W / 38.06528; -121.48000 (Empire Tract)
Adjacent bodies of water Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta
Highest elevation -10 ft (-3.05 m)
Administration
United States
State  California
County San Joaquin

The Empire Tract is a special kind of island located in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta in California. It's not a natural island formed by volcanoes or rivers, but rather a piece of land that has been protected by walls called levees. These levees keep the water out, allowing people to use the land for farming and other activities.

Empire Tract is part of San Joaquin County. It is managed by a group called Reclamation District 2029. This district helps make sure the levees are strong and that the land stays safe from floods.

What is Empire Tract?

Empire Tract is a low-lying area of land. It's so low that its elevation was measured as −10 ft (−3.0 m) in 1981 by the United States Geological Survey. This means parts of the island are actually below sea level! Imagine standing on land that is lower than the ocean. That's why the levees are so important here.

Location and Geography

The island is found in the large water network known as the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. This delta is a huge area where the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers meet before flowing into San Francisco Bay. It's a mix of rivers, channels, and islands like Empire Tract. The exact location of Empire Tract can be found using its coordinates: 38°03′55″N 121°28′48″W / 38.06528°N 121.48000°W / 38.06528; -121.48000 (Empire Tract).

How Levees Protect the Land

Because Empire Tract is below sea level, it needs constant protection from the surrounding water. This protection comes from the levees. Levees are like tall, strong walls made of earth. They are built around the edges of the island to hold back the river water. Without these levees, the land would be flooded, making it impossible to live or farm there.

The Reclamation District 2029 is responsible for taking care of these levees. They make sure the levees are repaired when needed and that they are strong enough to protect the land, especially during heavy rains or high tides.

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