San Rafael presents three adaptation paths to address rising tides; study estimates up to $1.8 billion for most transformative option
Feb 12, 2026
City of San Rafael staff and consultants presented a feasibility study showing three broad adaptation approaches—raised edges, a canal gate with a large pump station, and incremental elevation/redevelopment—each with trade-offs in cost, timelines, displacement risk and environmental impacts; study leaders urged community input and noted pumps and ownership are central constraints.
The full story
San Rafael officials and their consultants laid out three distinct strategies to reduce flooding and overtopping risks in the city’s low-lying basin during a public webinar: raising continuous shoreline edges, installing an operable canal gate with a large forward pump, or pursuing long‑term incremental elevation and redevelopment that would reconfigure land along the canal.
Sign up to keep reading.
Your free newsletter brings you what your city council, county, and school board discussed and decided.
Keep reading for free
Create a free account to finish this story and see the video, transcript and key details.
Continue with GoogleContinue with emailAlready have an account? Log in →