Corps Unveils Draft Plans for West Sacramento Flood Risk Reduction

A plan to implement enhanced flood risk reduction features around West Sacramento’s perimeter was revealed yesterday as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District released its draft general re-evaluation report and draft environmental impact statement for the West Sacramento project for public review.

The proposed project would implement a variety of flood risk management improvements throughout West Sacramento, which is almost completely surrounded by water ways. The plan includes installing cutoff walls, raising levees, providing increased bank protection, as well as the construction of a setback levee, berms and relief wells to help update the region’s flood control system.

“Identifying a plan to reduce the risk of flooding in West Sacramento is necessary for the safety of those who live and work in the city, but it’s also a vital piece of a larger plan to modernize the regional flood risk management system to help prevent future flooding,” said Col. Mike Farrell, commander for the Corps’ Sacramento District.

The City of West Sacramento and the West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency have made great strides in reducing the city’s flood risk by moving forward with levee projects to upgrade sections along the Sacramento north levee and are currently finalizing plans to improve more than six miles of levee along the Sacramento River south levee, but additional work is necessary.

“West Sacramento is a growing community with vital resources that serve the region, and it’s important that we remain vigilant of the flood risk that surrounds us,” said West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon. “Our community’s effort to address our flood risk has been tremendous, and we’re excited to partner with the Corps and State of California to help us achieve our goals.”

Now, the Corps, California’s Department of Water Resources and WSAFCA are ready to move forward together to develop a plan to meet the needs of the city and move towards the state’s goal of 200-year protection, which means there would be a one-in-200 chance in any given year of flooding.

“This is one of many State of California investments that will reduce flood risks in the Central Valley,” said Mike Mierzwa, civil engineer and flood policy advisory for the Department of Water Resources.

The West Sacramento study and the American River Common Features study, which is slated for public release later this summer, build upon a series of ongoing projects to reduce the flood risk for one of the nation’s most at-risk regions.

[mappress]

Press Release, July 15, 2014