The West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (WSAFCA) met last month to discuss the Sacramento River Southport Early Implementation Project (SRSEIP) and the West Sacramento Levee Improvement Program (WSLIP): addressing the six mile stretch along the Southport Sacramento River levee and confronting any existing problems.

West Sacramento sits at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers, and adjacent to the Yolo Bypass; the city is directly within the flood plain of the Sacramento River. After record flooding in 1986 and again in 1997, the city leaders realized that the city as well as the region needed to modernize its levee system to reduce the risk of flooding. As a result, WSAFCA and the City of West Sacramento have made flood control—as well as protection—their highest priority. A flood in the area could affect 50,000 residents, 13,000 acres of development, and over $5.3 billion in commercial, residential, and industrial properties.

The City’s comprehensive flood control strategy has been guided by the following objectives which were adopted by the WSAFCA: 1) Provide at least a 200-year level of flood protection to the City 2) Complete urgent levee improvements in advance of construction by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) with funding assistance from the California State Department of Water Resources (CSDWR).

“West Sacramento is surrounded by 52 miles of levees. It’s crucial that we identify and construct levee improvement projects to keep our residents and businesses protected from major flooding,” said West Sacramento City Council Member Christopher T. Ledesma. “But massive flooding from levee failures normally isn’t to blame for flooding. A big winter storm that overwhelms our water systems can still damage homes and properties.”

Levee improvement projects enhance the community and drive economic development by providing more stability for businesses now and in the future. The City of West Sacramento must ensure that the plan meets new Federal levee integrity standards and achieves a 200-year level of flood protection. This is required through the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP).

The SRSEIP will require the acquisition of real property rights from large and small property owners. WSAFCA staff has submitted a Real Estate Plan to the Department of Water Resources real estate branch for review. The plan identifies almost 344 acres for permanent rights for the levee structure, and 39 acres of temporary and permanent rights for interim Village Parkway.

Property appraisal work began last year and over 36 property owners have been contacted so that the WSAFCA can conduct an appraisal. Over the last 15 months, the Board has approved commencing negotiations with 38 property owners for property that is needed for the levee improvements and relocation of South River Road and the cell tower. Property acquisitions will be paid from flood assessment revenues and bond proceeds. They will be partially reimbursed through the construction funding agreement with the CSDWR.