Sacramento Levee Plans up for Comment

Recommendations for $1.46 billion in future improvements for Sacramento’s flood infrastructure are now open for public comment, described in two related reports by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, state of California and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA).

Both reports recommend seepage cutoff walls and levee raises for Sacramento River east levees and seepage cutoff walls and strengthening of Arcade Creek levees.

The Corps’ plan also proposes erosion protection work along the Sacramento and American rivers; levee improvements along north Sacramento’s Natomas East Main Drainage Canal and Dry, Robla and Magpie creeks; and would add greater resiliency and flexibility to the system by widening the Sacramento Weir and Bypass.

Previously-authorized seepage cutoff wall construction along the American River is scheduled to be completed in summer 2015.

“We’ve made tremendous progress together in recent years upgrading Sacramento’s levee system and Folsom Dam,” said Sacramento District Commander Col. Mike Farrell. “The proposed work continues long-planned improvements to modernize and strengthen the entire system, but it is just that – proposed. Now we need the community’s feedback.”

As with recent Natomas levee improvements, SAFCA’s plan recommends work that is in line with the larger-scale Corps and state proposal, and would begin construction in advance of Congressional authorization of federal involvement.

Public meetings will be conducted jointly by the Corps, SAFCA and state of California to provide information and answer questions about the relationship between the proposed plans and broader flood risk reduction efforts throughout the region.

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