Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Flood Control topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Flood control update: Ross Valley fish-ladder removal tentatively set for 2025, larger works in 2026
Summary
Marin County Flood Control’s Flood Zone 9 advisory board updated the council on multi-year projects including Sunnyside detention basin, planned demolition of a constricting bridge structure, and a Quarter Madera Creek project that could reduce flooding for more than 500 properties; FEMA review of hydraulic modeling remains the gating item.
Ross — Flood Zone 9 advisory board member Chris Martin briefed the Town Council on the status of multiple Ross Valley flood-risk projects, telling the council that a long‑anticipated removal of the fish ladder near the Ross Post Office is now anticipated in 2025 and related channel work is likely to commence in 2026.
Martin outlined the watershed history and a set of projects begun after damaging storms, including work completed at Sunnyside Stormwater Detention Basin in Fairfax and acquisition of the problematic Building Bridge 2 structure for eventual demolition. He said the San Anselmo flood-risk reduction project and the Quarter Madera Creek flood-risk-management project remain pending while FEMA reviews the flood-control district’s latest hydraulic model.
"Removal of the fish ladder is anticipated in 2025," Martin told the council. He described planned channel improvements intended to increase 25‑year flood protection for residents and businesses and said the Quarter Madera project could potentially reduce flooding to "over 500 properties in San Anselmo and Ross," while noting there are a small number of properties that could see increased flood heights and that environmental mitigation and permits are required.
Martin also traced past flood events and impacts: the 2005 flood, he said, "caused over a $100,000,000 in damage affecting 240 homes, 75 retail and commercial structures, 2 elementary schools," plus public facilities. He announced a community workshop on the Quarter Madera project scheduled for Oct. 15 at Marin Catholic High School and a Flood Zone 9 meeting tentatively set for Nov. 7.
During Q&A, a resident with historical flood‑study experience questioned some capacity and historical claims and asked that staff include source references with any distributed report; Martin said he would provide a written report and believed his presentation to be accurate. FEMA review and final hydraulic-model acceptance remain the program’s critical path before permits and construction can proceed.
The council requested the flood advisory board material in writing so it can be distributed to residents.
What's next: FEMA and county meetings are expected in October; staff will provide written materials and public notices for the Oct. 15 community workshop.
