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FloodSAFE – how one local agency works to keep its levees and public safe
Ann Draper, Assistant Operating OfficerNational Levee Safety Summit, St. Louis Missouri,
February 26, 2008
Located in Santa Clara County, California along South San Francisco BayHome of Silicon ValleyServe nearly 2 million residentsIntegrated water resources agencyDrinking water wholesalerResponsible for flood protection and stream stewardship
About us
More than 100 miles of levees protect thousands of parcels - 50 miles provide 100-year protection
Levees are significant to flood protection in Santa Clara County
Levees
.
66 % of 100-year levees met FEMA’s new certification standards
Multiple actions required to ensure levee integrity and public safety
1. Inspect2. Control vegetation3. Manage animal burrows4. Repair erosion5. Secure long-term permits6. Ensure reliable funding sources7. Keep community informed & satisfied
To do list:
Levee inspection must be systematic, consistent, verifiable
Adequate levee inspection and maintenance is essential for providing a reliable flood protection system, reducing the risk of flooding and loss of life and property, as well as maintaining compliance with State and Federal regulations for funding and flood insurance requirements.
Adequate levee maintenance also ensures the accessibility and serviceability during flood events for emergency work.
This document describes general procedures and guidelines for field operations levee inspection and record keeping.
Vegetation management has many purposes, considerations
•Allow for ease of inspection
•Help with fire prevention
•Recognize neighbors’ concerns with aesthetics, viewshed
Burrow management is complex, crucial to ensuring levee integrity
California ground squirrel – the primary local species responsible for burrowing into levees
Western burrowing owl – a California species of special concern; often makes its home in abandoned ground squirrel burrows
Salt marsh harvest mouse – a state and federal endangered species; bait stations used for ground squirrels must be specially designed to prevent inadvertent poisoning of the mouse
Needs, behaviors of several species must be considered
Burrow management is complex, crucial to ensuring levee integrity
1 2
active burrowbait station
Burrow must be vacated before repairs can begin
Coyote Creek, San Jose, CA
Burrow management is complex, crucial to ensuring levee integrity
Burrows are deep and extensive
Coyote Creek, San Jose, CA
Burrow management is complex, crucial to ensuring levee integrity
Coyote Creek, San Jose, CA
Potential solution: bentonite clay slurry grout pumped into burrow entrances. Exploratory excavation confirms mixture completely fills and seals burrows.
Corrective maintenance cannot be overlooked
Porta-damBefore
Rock toe After
Coyote Creek levee repair project
San Jose, CA
Long-term permits are key to continuity of levee safety activities
10-year Stream Maintenance Program
August 2001
Permits from: San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
U.S. Army Corps of EngineersDepartment of Fish and Game
10-year Stream Maintenance Program
August 2001
Permits from: San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
U.S. Army Corps of EngineersDepartment of Fish and Game
Reliable funding sources must be secured
Santa Clara Valley Water District has spent more than $4 million on levee safety since fiscal 2002
Community outreach improves flood hazard awareness
Annual direct mail to owners and residents of floodprone
properties
Web pages
School outreach
Customer outreach and feedback confirms public support
3-year averageCompleted project was a benefit to the neighborhood
Good/excellent rating for overall job performance
2152 responses
Many interests influence local levee management
Local land use and flood protection agencies share a commitment to safety
Our shared future
Collaboration between local, state & federal agencies benefits our mutual constituency
Santa Clara County, Californiaa FloodSAFE community
