Liberty Island (California) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Liberty Island

USGS aerial imagery of Liberty Island. To the west, French Island and Moore Tract are across Shag Slough; Little Hastings Tract and Rio Vista are south across Cache Slough, Little Holland Tract is to the east across Liberty Cut, and Prospect Island is to the southeast, across both Prospect Slough and the Sacramento Deep Water Ship Channel.
Liberty Island Location in Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta Show map of Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta Liberty Island Location in California Show map of California Liberty Island Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Geography
Location	Northern California
Coordinates	38°17′13″N 121°40′43″W / 38.28694°N 121.67861°W / 38.28694; -121.67861 (Liberty Island)
Adjacent bodies of water	Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta
Highest elevation	0 ft (0 m)
Administration
United States
State	California
County	Solano

Liberty Island is an island in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta in California. It is mostly covered by water. The island is part of Solano County. A group called Reclamation District 2093 manages it.

About Liberty Island

Liberty Island is a unique place in Northern California. It is not a typical dry island. Most of its land is underwater. This makes it an important part of the delta's ecosystem.

Where is it?

Liberty Island is located in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. This area is in Northern California. Its exact location is 38°17′13″N 121°40′43″W / 38.28694°N 121.67861°W / 38.28694; -121.67861 (Liberty Island). The United States Geological Survey measured its elevation in 1981. They found it was at sea level, or 0 ft (0 m) high.

What is a Delta?

A delta is a landform that looks like a triangle. It forms where a river splits into many smaller channels. These channels flow into a larger body of water. The Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta is where the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers meet. They then flow towards San Francisco Bay. This area is full of islands, sloughs (small waterways), and wetlands. It is a very important habitat for many animals and plants.

Why is it Flooded?

Many islands in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta are below sea level. This is because of something called subsidence. Over many years, the peat soil in the delta has dried out and shrunk. This causes the land to sink. To protect these islands from flooding, people build levees. Levees are walls or banks that hold back water. Even with levees, some parts of Liberty Island are still mostly flooded. This creates a mix of land and water habitats.

Who Manages the Island?

Liberty Island is managed by Reclamation District 2093. A Reclamation District is a special local government group. Their main job is to manage water and land in certain areas. They work to protect land from floods. They also help with drainage and irrigation. For Liberty Island, this means they help manage the levees and water levels.

Wildlife and Nature

Even though much of Liberty Island is flooded, it is home to many creatures. The delta environment supports diverse wildlife. You might find different kinds of fish in the sloughs. Birds often use the island as a resting or nesting spot. Some plants that like wet conditions grow there. This makes Liberty Island an important part of the delta's natural world.

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