Little Mandeville Island facts for kids
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Geography | |
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Location | Northern California |
Coordinates | 38°00′38″N 121°33′54″W / 38.0104776°N 121.5649522°W |
Adjacent bodies of water | Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta |
Administration | |
United States
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State | ![]() |
County | San Joaquin |
Little Mandeville Island is a small island in California. It is mostly underwater. This island is found in the San Joaquin River delta. It is part of San Joaquin County. Its exact location is 38°00′38″N 121°33′54″W / 38.0104776°N 121.5649522°W.
Contents
What is Little Mandeville Island?
Little Mandeville Island is a very small piece of land. It is located in a special water area. This area is where rivers meet the sea. It is called a delta. Most of this island stays hidden underwater. Only a small part might be seen sometimes.
Where is the Island Located?
The island is in the northern part of California. It sits within the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. This delta is a huge area. It has many waterways and islands. It is a very important natural place.
Why is it Mostly Submerged?
Islands can become submerged for several reasons. One reason is the natural movement of water. Tides can cover low-lying land. Another reason is land sinking. This is called subsidence. It happens when the ground slowly drops. This can be due to natural processes. It can also be from human activities. These activities include pumping out groundwater.
The Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta
Little Mandeville Island is part of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. This delta is one of California's most important natural areas. It is where the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers meet. They flow into San Francisco Bay.
Importance of the Delta
The delta provides water for millions of people. It also helps farms across California. Many different animals live here. This includes fish, birds, and other wildlife. The delta is like a giant wetland. It has marshes, channels, and islands.
Delta Environment
The delta's environment is very unique. It has both fresh and saltwater. This mix creates special habitats. Many plants and animals thrive here. It is a vital stop for migrating birds. They use the delta as a resting place.
Islands in the Delta
The Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta has many islands. Some are large and populated. Others, like Little Mandeville Island, are small. Many delta islands are low-lying. They are protected by levees. Levees are walls built to hold back water.
How Delta Islands Form
Delta islands form over long periods. Rivers carry soil and sediment. This material builds up over time. It creates new land. This land then becomes an island. The delta is always changing. New land forms and old land erodes.