Our Mission Brannan Island The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and he Delta’s 700 education of the people of California by helping T to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological miles of channels and Franks Tract diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities sloughs invite campers, State Recreation Areas for high-quality outdoor recreation. picnickers, hikers, boaters, anglers and swimmers California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who to come out and play. need assistance should contact the park at (916) 777-6671. This publication can be made available in alternate formats. Contact [email protected] or call (916) 654-2249. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™ Brannan Island SRA Franks Tract SRA 17645 Hwy. 160 Rio Vista, CA 94571 (916) 777-6671 © 2011 California State Parks PARK HISTORY Due to repeated levee failures in the The 336-acres of Brannan mid- and late-1930s, Franks Tract is now rannan Island State Recreation Area B Island State Recreation completely submerged. This area is is the gateway to 700 miles of rivers, Area (SRA) were acquired known for excellent year-round fishing and sloughs, marshes, levees and river by the State in 1954; they seasonal waterfowl hunting. Permits are channels that make up the Sacramento-San became a park in 1965. The available at Brannan Island; for regulations Joaquin River Delta. recreation area is bordered and information, visit www.dfg.ca.gov. The park has long been a popular by the Sacramento River Little Franks Tract is encircled by marsh destination for year-round water to the west, Three Mile and riparian habitat along the remnants of recreation—boating, fishing, swimming, Sam Brannan Slough on the south, and a breached levee. The area shelters more camping and picnicking. From its vantage Seven Mile Slough to the east. than 70 species of birds and a great variety point on the Sacramento River’s east bank, The island is named for Sam Brannan, of fish species. Wildlife includes beavers, the recreation area offers a fine view of who became California’s first millionaire by raccoons, mink, river otters and muskrats. Mount Diablo to the south. selling supplies to gold seekers. Brannan led RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Early Residents a pioneer group of Mormons to California Identification of the Delta’s prehistoric in 1846. That same year, he sailed across Winter temperatures range from 45 to 55 residents is challenging. Archaeologists San Francisco Bay to the Delta, where he degrees. Summer days vary from 65 to 100 speculate that agricultural activity, established New Hope, the first Mormon degrees. Cooling Delta breezes often gust dredging, levee construction and community in the San Joaquin Valley. to 25 mph, and tides can vary as much as reclamation efforts may have altered the Brannan Island’s 40-foot elevation comes six feet in one day. locations of—or even destroyed—any from debris deposited there during channel- Fishing—Bass, sturgeon, shad, bluegill and identifiable Native American artifacts. dredging operations. Most other Delta migrating salmon are among the Delta’s In the early 1800s, the area’s abundant islands lie below sea level. inhabitants. Anglers over 16 must carry a wildlife resources drew hunters and valid California fishing license. For fishing Franks Tract and Little Franks Tract fur trappers, including the Hudson Bay details, visit www.dfg.ca.gov. Six miles southeast of Brannan Island, Franks Company. Beginning in the 1830s, Swiss Boating—A ten-lane launch ramp has Tract SRA was once a source of peat moss immigrant John A. Sutter operated fishing parking and nearby restrooms. processing and export. The Delta’s rich peat and fur trapping camps on the Delta; others Swimming—The deposits were the second-largest in the U.S., settled in as ranchers and crop farmers. day-use area has next to the Florida Everglades. Once the Delta tributaries join together, • In open water channels, gulls, terns and they taper into a channel, entering the ocean cormorants can be found, along with stray through narrow Carquinez Strait. sea lions. • Backwater areas hide the herons, rails, The Delta’s Water bitterns and sandpipers hunting tule perch, The State Water Project’s pumping, storage, Sacramento suckers and other fish. and power facilities join 700 miles of canals and pipelines to bring water to suppliers PLEASE REMEMBER throughout California. • All park features are protected by law and Nearly 7.5 million acre-feet of freshwater must not be disturbed or removed. a swim beach. The swim area travel down the California Aqueduct, at Seven Mile Slough is closed to • Visitors and animals are allowed only in irrigating millions of acres of farmland developed areas. Keep dogs on a six-foot powerboats. and providing drinking water to 24 million maximum leash and confined in your tent or Family Camping—Cottonwood and Willow Californians. vehicle at night. Campgrounds have 102 tent or RV sites The Delta Smelt • The island’s sandy cliffs are steep, unstable with no hookups. The Olympic Loop RV The health of the endangered delta smelt and very dangerous. Campground has 12 sites with water and may reflect the condition of the Delta’s • Bicycle riders and passengers under 18 electric hookups. A sanitation station ecosystem. These tiny native fish have a one- must wear helmets. is nearby. A small, hike-in cabin can year lifespan—spent entirely in Delta waters. • Alcohol is not permitted in day-use areas. accommodate four campers. Estimated at one time to have declined by • Service reductions are in force. For current Boat-in Camping—Thirty-two slips take boats 95 percent, the once-abundant delta smelt’s park status, visit www.parks.ca.gov. up to 35 feet long and 10 feet wide. numbers are rising. Walk-in Camping—These 13 sites have tables, ACCESSIBLE FEATURES stoves and cupboards. Drinking water and HABITATS AND WILDLIFE Accessible picnic areas, campsites, restrooms restrooms are nearby. • A diversity of birds—including Swainson’s and cold showers are available. The wooden Group Camping—Six group sites each hold hawks and sandhill cranes—overwinter fishing pier has a platform equipped with up to 30 people; larger groups may reserve and migrate or breed in the Delta. handrails and curb guides. Two boat slips multiple sites. Sites accommodate RVs up • In marshes, herons, river otters and turtles are accessible. Wet weather may make to 36 feet long. live among tules, sedges and cattails. surfaces slippery. Picnicking—Four family picnic areas stretch • Riparian scrub supports several dozen bird Accessibility is continually improving. For along Seven and Three Mile Sloughs. species. Various fish and mammals live updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. Reservable group sites have shade ramadas. among willows and cottonwoods. All Reservations—call (800) 444-7275 or visit • The riparian habitat hosts many species NEARBY STATE PARKS www.parks.ca.gov. of rare plants—such as Mason’s lilaeopsis • Locke Boarding House (in Locke) and Suisun marsh aster—at or below the 13913 River Road, Walnut Grove 95690 THE DELTA high tide zone. (916) 776-1828 or 776-1661 The estuary is an “inverted” river delta; rather • Caswell Memorial State Park than a river’s typical wide exit to the sea over 28000 South Austin Road, Ripon 95366 an alluvial (fan-shaped) outlet, the alluvial (209) 599-3810 shape lies inland. Delta smelt (actual size) to Rio Vista (3 miles), to San Joaquin River (4 miles), Mokelumne River (5 miles) to Fairfield Grand Isleton (5 miles), d Rd Locke (19 miles) lan Island 160 Is 12 Brannan Island an n W. 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