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Tudor construction advances; agency updates levee, mapping and recreation projects
Summary
During its Sept. 10, 2025 meeting the Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency reported active construction on the Tudor flood risk reduction project, ongoing design and funding work on levee repairs and restoration projects, and a multi-year FEMA remapping effort for Sutter County.
Agency staff reported construction progress on the Tudor flood risk reduction project and provided updates on multiple levee-repair, restoration and recreation projects across the basin.
Michael Bassett told the board the Tudor project is in active construction and that crews are finishing the third and final cutoff wall heading; staff estimated that element would be completed in about a week and said the contractor is rebuilding levee sections with a target to have work finished by October so the reach is ready for flood season beginning Nov. 1. Bassett said crews are working 10-hour days, six days a week.
Bassett also briefed the board on an encroachment and pressure-pipe issue involving Odysseus Farms; the Central Valley board is taking the lead on enforcement and a meeting with the landowner, attorneys and staff is set for Sept. 17. On the Sutter Bypass East Levee repair, staff said they will meet with an independent panel of experts to address design comments and that recent discussions with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the power company Calpine were constructive; staff continue to pursue additional state funding to advance design and permitting for the remaining roughly 12 miles of east-levee work.
On the City of Oroville levee repair, staff said they are awaiting the Army Corps of Engineers' levee safety inspection report and continue to coordinate with local officials and legislators. Staff reported progress on the OWA Robinson—s project (environmental/restoration work) with meetings underway with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and DWR to identify construction funding and advance design.
The agency is finalizing design work on the Thermolito Afterbay boat ramp and campground with plans to go to bid next month; staff said they are working on an implementation agreement with DWR and expect to open bids in December and award contracts in February–March with construction next spring or summer.
Staff also described several Feather River side-channel projects in planning and design stages. The Sutter County Resource Conservation District and River Partners are advancing side-channel alternatives; Flow West is listed as consultant on multiple projects, and one downstream side-channel is funded by the Bureau of Reclamation.
On flood mapping, staff and the board discussed FEMA—s county-wide remapping effort. Staff said the remapping process typically takes about three to five years, will digitize paper maps and should incorporate the agency—s levee improvements into the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Staff warned that federal processing times are uncertain and that FEMA typically regulates the 100-year floodplain; Sutter County Public Works and Neil Hay, the county floodplain manager, are involved in the agency—s coordination with FEMA.
Staff also reminded the board of an Oct. 28 flood season preparedness briefing at the Veterans Hall in Yuba City (NOAA participates) and said the Army Corps will conduct levee safety inspections in the basin in November.
