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Ryer Island

Ryer Island History updated September 2009

Ryer Island in 1873 may have been called
Merrill Island or Schoolcraft Island until Dr. Ryer started the first major reclamation effort for the island.
The links to PDF's below give some historical facts about Ryer Island and the people who reclaimed it.  The current levee was not built until the "Project Levee" construction phase of the 1930's.  Prior to that time the levee was built by the land owners.  The island is reported to have flooded in 1904 and 1907, BEFORE the current levee was built.  The development of Ryer as a unique island within the California Delta can be seen by viewing the Historic Maps page or the Photos and Sketches page. 

The earliest maps indicate the island was referred to as "Merrill" and "Schoolcraft Island" at one time, but was then purchased or land granted to the Dr. Ryer family.  Over the last 150 years, Ryer Island was the site of a school district, a railroad, a fish canning operation, many types of farming, recreational resorts, housing communities, stores and restaurants, and a small RV resort called Snug Harbor, which was named the "Best Small Park of California" in 2001 by the California Travel Park Association.  (Actually, Snug Harbor is technically a peninsula attached to Ryer Island and is not Ryer Island land itself)

Great Ryer Island Summary:   History of Ryer Island by the Sacramento River Delta Historical Society  (go to page 6)
United States--California--Yolo County.
United States--California. 1895.
United States--California. 1851.
United States--California. 1888]
United States--California--Yolo County. 1871
United States--California. 1851.
United States--California--San Francisco. c1908.
United States--Southwest, New. 1882.
United States--California. 1850?]

United States--California--Solano County. 1890
United States--California. [2002]
Most governmental documents and reports record that Ryer Island only flooded in 1904 and 1907, before the current levee was built.  However, one recent report found says the island flooded in 1986, contrary to all local knowledge and other governmental reports.  We're still trying to get the data on that one conflicting report. 

Flood history:  CalFed 1998   CA_Assembly_Flood_History   DWR 1975 Delta Flood records  History of Ryer Island Flooding-page 6

compare some flood maps:

Delta Risk Management Strategy (DRMS)  2008  Section 7, Table 7-9a and other tables or maps summarizing Delta flooding since 1900
 



Sketch from 1852 of Sacramento and Steamboat Slough confluence at north end of Steamboat Slough, which gives the viewer an idea of what Ryer Island might have looked like along its banks.
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The True Tale of Two Ryer Islands!

  Copyright 2008, 2009
Last Modified :11/25/09 10:28 AM