Restore the Delta maps HAB detections and environmental drivers with ArcGIS StoryMap for public outreach
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Restore the Delta presented an ArcGIS StoryMap that visualizes HAB detections (2022–2025) and environmental drivers at seven Delta sites and includes plain‑language explanations for community outreach.
Alexandra Yocomizo (UC Davis practicum student, Restore the Delta) summarized a community‑oriented project to communicate harmful algal bloom (HAB) detections and environmental drivers through ArcGIS StoryMaps.
Restore the Delta’s HAB sampling (in partnership with state water boards) collected weekly samples at seven fixed sites from May through September in each sampling year; detections were recorded in 2022 and 2025. Alexandra produced maps and interactive figures showing the number of HAB detections per site across years, and variance maps for salinity and air/water temperature to help viewers see patterns and potential drivers.
The StoryMap includes plain‑language explainers (what HABs are, why Stockton and Delta sites are relevant, recreational and food‑safety implications) and downloadable graphs and datasets. Alexandra said the StoryMap approach aims to overcome scientific literacy barriers and make monitoring results usable for community outreach and to inform recreational advisories.
Restore the Delta will host the StoryMap and provide printed handouts for community events; the presenter said she has not yet tested the interface with community focus groups but plans to incorporate outreach feedback.
The project is a practicum deliverable and will be publicly available with data and SOP links; the presenter noted StoryMap performance considerations as data volume increases and suggested breaking datasets into slices for long‑term usability.