Delta Boater Information
Bridges in the California Delta
While boating in the California Delta, you are sure to come upon a bridge. Depending on the size of your boat, the tide and the clearance of the bridge, you may find that you will need the bridge to open for you in order to continue on your journey. Most bridges monitor VHF Channels 9 and 16, and you can hail them, preferably on Channel 9, with your request for an opening. Usually the bridge tenders want you within sight before they will open the bridge. Many boaters prefer to signal the bridge with a long followed by a short blast from their horn. Bridgetenders will also usually respond to a telephone call if it is during their operating hours.
Operating hours for California Delta bridges varies depending on the season, with shorter hours being the norm for winter. Some bridges are not tended during the winter, and a few are not tended at all. These bridges require advance notice if you are going to need an opening. The procedure here is to call the bridge and arrange an appointment. Obviously, you want to be at the bridge on time! During the summer, you may find some bridges operating on scheduled openings on weekends and holidays.
California Delta Bridges Map
California Delta Bridges Information
| Clearance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento River | Hours of Operation | Phone | HW | LW |
| Freeport Bridge | •May 1 to September 30: Bridgetender service 9am to 5pm •Closed October 1 to April 30: 4 hours advance notice required to the Rio Vista Bridge (707.374.2134) •All other times: 4 hours advance notice required to the Rio Vista Bridge (707.374.2134) |
707.374.2134 (Rio Vista Bridge) | 29' | 32' |
| Sutter Slough Bridge | Bridge does not open | n/a | 19' | 22' |
| Miner Slough Bridge | 12 hours advance notice required to the Rio Vista Bridge | 707.374.2134 (Rio Vista Bridge) | 17' | 21' |
| Paintersville Bridge (Courtland) | •May 1 to October 31: Bridgetender service 6am to 10pm •November 1 to April 30: Bridgetender service 9am to 5pm •All other times: 4 hours advance notice required to the Rio Vista Bridge (707.374.2134) |
916.775.1474 | 24' | 27' |
| Steamboat Slough Bridge | •May 1 to October 31: Bridgetender service 6am to 10pm All other times: 4 hours advance notice required to the Rio Vista Bridge (707.374.2134) |
916.775.1966 | 21' | 24' |
| Walnut Grove Bridge | •May 1 to October 31: Bridgetender service 6am to 10pm •November 1 to April 30: Bridgetender service 9am to 5pm •All other times: 4 hours advance notice required to the Rio Vista Bridge (707.374.2134) |
916.776.1341 | 21' | 24' |
| Isleton Bridge | •May 1 to October 31: Bridgetender service 6am to 10pm •November 1 to April 30: Bridgetender service 9am to 5pm •All other times: 4 hours advance notice required to the Rio Vista Bridge (707.374.2134) |
916.777.6763 | 15' | 18' |
| Lindsey Slough Bridge | Bridge does not open | n/a | 19' | 22' |
| Rio Vista Bridge | Bridgetender service 24 hours a day | 707.374.2134 | 18' | 22' |
| Three Mile Slough Bridge | Bridgetender service 24 hours a day | 916.777.6619 | 10' | 16' |
| Clearance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgiana Slough | Hours of Operation | Phone | HW | LW |
| Georgiana Slough Bridge | •May 1 to October 31: bridgetender service 6am to 10pm •November 1 to April 30: bridgetender service 9am to 5pm •All other times: 4 hours advance notice required to the Rio Vista Bridge |
707.374.2134 (Rio Vista Bridge) | 14' | 17' |
| Tyler Island Bridge | •May 1 to October 31: Bridgetender service 6am to 10pm •November 1 to April 30: Bridgetender service 9am to 5pm •All other times: 4 hours advance notice required to the Rio Vista Bridge (707.374.2134) |
916.777.6649 | 10' | 13' |
| Clearance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mokelumne River | Hours of Operation | Phone | HW | LW |
| Snodgrass Slough Bridge (Meadows) | Bridge does not open | n/a | 12' | 18' |
| Deadhorse Island Bridge | Bridge does not open | n/a | 13' | 17' |
| Miller's Ferry Bridge (Giusti's) | •May 1 to October 31: Bridgetender service 9am to 5pm •All other times: 12 hours advance notice required to the San Joaquin County Department of Public Works at Stockton |
209.468.3074 (Public Works) | 12' | 15' |
| Mokelumne River Bridge | •May 1 to October 31: Bridgetender service 6am to 10pm; scheduled openings on the hour, 20 minutes past the hour, and 40 minutes past the hour as follows: Saturdays 10am to 2pm, Sundays 11am to 6pm, and Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day 11am to 6pm •November 1 to April 30: Bridgetender service 9am to 5pm •All other times: 4 hours advance notice required to the Rio Vista Bridge (707.374.2134) |
916.777.6660 | 8' | 11' |
| New Hope Landing Bridge (Wimpy's) | Bridge does not open | n/a | 13' | 16' |
| Little Potato Slough Bridge | 4 hours advance notice required to the Rio Vista Bridge | 707.374.2134 (Rio Vista Bridge) | 35' | 38' |
| Clearance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin River | Hours of Operation | Phone | HW | LW |
| Honker Cut Bridge | 12 hours advance notice required to the San Joaquin County Department of Public Works at Stockton | 209.468.3074 (Public Works) | 7' | 10' |
| Bishop Cut Bridge | 12 hours advance notice required | 209.464.7928 | 6' | 10' |
| Paradise Point Bridge | Bridge does not open | n/a | 21' | 24' |
| Bethel Island Bridge | Bridge does not open | n/a | 15' | 19' |
| Connection Slough Bridge | •May 15 to September 15: Bridgetender service 9am to 5pm; 12 hours advance notice required 5pm to 9am •September 16 to May 14: 12 hour advance notice required 9am to 5pm, 24 hour advance notice required 5pm to 9am |
•209.464.2959 or •209.464.7928 weekdays 8am to 5pm •209.993.8878 all other times |
7' | 10' |
| Turner Cut Bridge | Bridgetender service 24 hours a day | 209.464.1253 | 16' | 19' |
| Middle River (Bacon Island) Bridge | •May 15 to September 15: Bridgetender service 9am to 5pm •September 16 to May 14: Bridgetender service 9am to 5pm Thursday through Monday •All other times: 12 hours advance notice required to the San Joaquin County Department of Public Works at Stockton |
209.468.3074 (Public Works) | 8' | 11' |
| Middle River Railroad Bridge | 12 hours advance notice required to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Manager of Structures at San Bernadino | 209.942.5441 | 11' | 14' |
| Middle River Bridge (Hwy 4) | Bridge does not open | n/a | 10' | 12' |
| Orwood (Old River) Railroad Bridge | Bridgetender service 24 hours a day | 209.401.5372 | 10' | 14' |
| Old River Bridge (Hwy 4) |
•May 1 to October 31: Bridgetender service 6am to 10pm •November 1 to April 30: Bridgetender service 9am to 5pm •All other times: 4 hours advance notice required to the Rio Vista Bridge (707.374.2134) |
209.465.0935 | 12' | 16' |
| Grant Line Canal Bridge | 12 hours advance notice required to the San Joaquin County Department of Public Works at Stockton | 209.468.3074 (Public Works) | 16' | 19' |
| Disclaimer: This bridge information is provided for the convenience of DeltaBoating.com visitors. Bridge clearances are approximate and will vary during times of plus tides or storms. Bridgetender hours and phone numbers are subject to change without notice. Always use NOAA charts #18660 through #18663 for the California Delta and Sacramento River, and check the Local Notice to Mariners for changes. |