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West Sacramento agency updates levee projects; Army Corps design reviews, interim repairs underway
Summary
Agency staff reported progress on Southport reappraisals, Army Corps coordination on restoration credits, a $10 million-plus nonfederal cash contribution, interim rock revetments on the Yolo Bypass and 60% design review work on the Sacramento River North Levee.
West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency staff on Sept. 18 updated the board on multiple levee and restoration projects, reporting new appraisal work for Southport, ongoing design reviews with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and interim repairs planned before winter.
The agency said its right-of-way consultant delivered 10 new reappraisals for Southport that are needed for crediting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and that those reappraisals are under review. Agency staff also said the Corps has brought the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service into discussions about how mitigation and restoration areas could be credited toward future projects that are currently in design.
Agency staff reported that the nonfederal cash contribution required by the Corps — the sponsor share — has been satisfied at more than $10,000,000 combined between the State and the West Sacramento agency. "We completed the 5% cash contribution that the non federal sponsor has to make to the Army Corps of Engineers," an agency presenter said.
Staff described construction-stage work in the Yolo Bypass East Levee area: the Corps' contractor will place rock revetments along the waterside slope over the next few weeks as an interim measure to prepare for winter while the Corps continues design for a permanent repair. The presenter characterized the rock placement as an interim fix while permanent repairs are designed, and said it was uncertain whether a permanent repair will reach construction in 2026.
At the Yolo Bypass Levee North project, agency staff said all equipment to operate a new pump station has arrived and that staff are working to secure easement rights for an underground electrical connection with Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) near the courtyard.
On the Sacramento River North Levee project, the Corps delivered 60% design plans. Representatives from Reclamation District 900, the agency, the state, the Indian Heritage Center and agency consultants reviewed the plans in two meetings and returned about 200 comments to the Corps. Staff said the comments range from technical disagreements about rehabilitation approaches to cosmetic or mitigation suggestions, including efforts to reduce impacts to trees near the Indian Heritage Center.
The agency also said the Corps' team working on the Stone Lock (Stone Lock Park) area is in preliminary design; the Corps' engineer has completed geotechnical work and is developing design reports. The Corps is evaluating a concrete wall across the locks with valve openings to permit water flow; agency staff said they are discussing how that design can avoid inhibiting park concepts.
Agency staff said they recently met the incoming district commander at the Corps and expressed priorities for levee fixes along the Sacramento River, from the weir down to Stone Lock. Staff added that newly engaged federal lobbyists are developing a strategy and schedule to secure construction funding when needed.
The presenter concluded by stressing the need for sufficient construction funding once permanent work begins, because construction burn rates will rise substantially compared with design and interim activities.
