Levee work nearly complete; Robinson’s Riffle restoration seeks $32M grant and bids set for campground project
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Summary
At its Nov. 12 meeting the Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency reported the Tudor levee reconstruction is nearly finished, that the Robinson’s Riffle restoration (about 1 mile, ~200,000 cubic yards of gravel) will be presented to the Wildlife Conservation Board next week for a possible $32 million grant, and that bids for the Thermolito Afterbay boat
Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency staff told the board on Nov. 12 that major construction and design work on several flood‑risk and habitat projects is advancing, with a large grant decision and bid openings scheduled in the coming weeks.
Staff reported the Tudor flood‑risk reduction levee has been fully reconstructed and the contractor, Nordic, was finishing the all‑weather surface and final winterization work so the site would be ready before flood season. "Nordic's been taking advantage of weekends...so that we don't go too far into flood season," staff said.
On the Robinson's Riffle restoration in the Oroville Wildlife Area, staff summarized the project as roughly one mile of restoration on the Feather River. Chris Schmidle said the project would excavate cobble piles, put about "roughly 200,000 cubic yards of gravel back into the river," create riffle complexes and seasonally inundated side channels to improve salmon spawning and rearing habitat, and provide flood‑risk reduction benefits (staff estimated over half a foot of stage reduction in a 100‑year event for the downstream reach). Staff said the Wildlife Conservation Board will consider a potential $32,000,000 grant for the project the following week and that agency staff will attend that meeting.
The Thermolito Afterbay boat ramp and campground project is out to bid; staff held a pre‑bid meeting and reported 11 plan holders. Bids are scheduled to be opened Dec. 9, with staff planning to return to the board in March to consider a contract award after evaluating bids.
Staff also reported other work in progress: Sutter Bypass East Levee repairs are at about 90% design and awaiting Department of Water Resources and Army Corps comments (the Army Corps inspection was delayed by a federal government shutdown), FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant coordination with Cal OES is ongoing, and teams continue to coordinate with partner agencies and landowners on side‑channel projects and real estate/utility relocation crediting for federal projects.
Board members asked whether member agencies, businesses or individuals could help apply political leverage to advance DWR consideration; staff said they have state lobby support and will explore ways member agencies could provide assistance. Staff reminded the board that the next meeting is Dec. 10 (one day after the Thermolito bid opening) and that the January meeting is typically canceled.
The updates focused on schedule, interagency coordination, grant opportunities and procurement steps; no formal action on these projects was taken at this meeting.
