West Sacramento agency reviews Army Corps’ 60% design for Sacramento River North Levee

Paul (the project presenter) briefed the West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency on the U.S. Army Corps’ 60% design for the Sacramento River North Levee (Section 3), describing design changes, construction impacts and next procedural steps.

The presentation covered a roughly 5.8-mile reach from I Street toward the Tower Bridge and explained that the Corps split the reach into multiple contracts addressing seepage and erosion. Paul said the Corps’ principal recommendations at this stage are slope flattening, crown widening and installation of cutoff walls in two locations, including one deep wall expected to extend about 70–75 feet below the surface. He also described planned levee realignment near the Broderick Boat Ramp to avoid some upland trees, which nonetheless will require removal of other trees closer to the river and will affect parking and staging areas.

Paul drew attention to utilities that cross the levee and will need relocation or protection: “There are 72 perforations through this section of the levee,” he said, referencing fiber-optic lines, irrigation and water lines and a high‑pressure gas line. He said the design team is discussing utility corridors with the Corps to ease construction and future maintenance.

On schedule, Paul said the 60% plans have completed technical review and received more than 200 comments from the Department of Water Resources. The next milestone is 90% design; between 60% and 90% the agency expects environmental documents to begin under NEPA and the Corps anticipates issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact and later a ‘take letter’ that would allow property acquisition and utility relocations. Paul projected final plans and specifications in 2027 and said staff will seek to accelerate portions of the schedule where possible.

Board members asked detailed questions about property acquisitions, mitigation for tree removal, the levee prism and public access during construction. Paul said specific property owners have not been fully identified but noted at least one private owner upriver of the Broderick Boat Ramp and that State Parks had previously agreed to provide a needed levee easement for property now designated for the California Indian Heritage Center. On cultural resources, Paul said the Corps has coordinated with the State Historic Preservation Office and that Native American monitors would likely be on site if remains are found: work would stop, archaeologists would assess the finds and tribes would make decisions about reburial or relocation.

The presentation was informational; no action was taken. Paul said the agency will continue community outreach with homeowners associations and other stakeholders as the design advances and work planning proceeds.

Next steps: staff and the Corps will close 60% comments, advance to 90% design and begin environmental review, then work toward property acquisitions and utility relocations necessary for construction.