NATOMAS LEVEE PROJECT

Natomas Levee Project—U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

Goal:  Complete levee improvements started by SAFCA/State to provide Natomas Basin at least 200-year flood protection

Project Status:  Project is fully authorized by Congress (2014 Water Resources and Reform Development Act).  Appropriations are made on an annual basis

Cost Sharing Partners:  SAFCA (local) and Central Valley Flood Protection Board (State)

Operation and Maintenance Responsibility:  Reclamation District No. 1000

Construction Status:  See Construction Phasing Map

September 2021 Status:

Reach A

  i.      The Corps received bids for Reach A on August 16. The Bid Opening was August 24 with Contract Award on September 25.  We currently have no information on the bids received.  Construction is still scheduled to commence in 2022 for three years.    

  ii.      Corps is using its Navigation Certitude rights for the construction of Plant 1A outfall. Work at Plants 1A and 1B will be bid as option pending resolution of design and an issue the Corps has with the SAFCA/RD 1000 agreement for work at Plant 1. The District is working with SAFCA and Corps Counsel to resolve the issue.

  iii.      SAFCA/State are coordinating with the Corps on Caltrans issues as well as SMUD, and PGE relocations.  The Corps will conduct public outreach this fall.

Reach B

  i.      Construction continues on Reach B including relocation of the Riverside Canal, replacement of other Natomas Water Company facilities and levee construction south of Powerline Road.  Locating suitable borrow continues to be an issue—Corps is working with SAFCA/State to identify sources. Mailboxes along Garden Highway are being relocated to the waterside (residence side) of the levee. 

  ii.      Garden Highway will remain closed between San Juan Rd and Powerline Rd through November 1, 2021 to accommodate the outfall construction at Plant 3. 

  iii.      Construction at the I-5 window crossing the Sacramento River south of Bayou Road consists of widening the levee by expanding the levee into a paved parking lot area on the waterside. The work also includes the construction of a seepage berm on the landside of the project footprint. The current intersection and ramp for North Bayou Way would be rebuilt to meet the new grade of the levee. The Corps has issued a notice of suspension due to the lack of performance by the contractor. District staff is monitoring the work to insure the levee is ready for flood season.

Reach C

  i.      The Reach C project is complete, and the District is providing the operation and maintenance.

Reach D

  i.      The reconstruction of Pumping Plant 4, discharge pipes and outfall structure has entered month 4. The project is on schedule and moving along well.  

  ii.      The Corps is working on the package to turn the previously completed levee improvements in Reach D over to the non-federal sponsors (and RD 1000) though the District has effectively taken over the O&M of the levee.

Reach E

  i.      The 95% plans were submitted August 26 for review by District, SAFCA and State.  Critical issue is to identify the borrow site, secure right of way and coordinate with PG&E to move their utility lines outside the proposed construction. The current scheduled contract award date is July 2022 (construction 2023 and 2024).

  ii.      SAFCA and State DWR have initiated right of way acquisition based on the ROW Take letter from the Corps issued in July.  Appraisals will be complete in September and offers for the acquisition in October.

Reach F

  i.      The Corps has proposed revised levee modifications in light of the new Design Water Surface elevation and geotechnical information.  The District, State and SAFCA have reviewed the proposals and raised some issues, especially for the work near Pumping Plant No. 6.  The Corps has begun their 65% design.

  ii.      To assist with the 65% design, the Corps has initiated several design workshops with the State/SAFCA/RD 1000 to identify and resolve key issues.  This past month we focused on ROW and identifying probable takes of residential structures and impacts at one commercial site (caviar facility). Contract Award still scheduled for 2022 and construction in 2023 and 2024.

Reach G

  i.      See notes above for Reach F as Reaches F and G are combined into a single design and construction contract. 

Reach H

  i.      Construction activities continue to complete construction on E. Levee Road, landside patrol road, retaining walls and remaining cut-off wall construction.  SAFCA continues acquisition of rights needed to complete patrol road and fence relocations. This project will continue into 2023 if the landside lower patrol road revisions are not approved by the Corps. E Levee Road is expected to re-opened mid-September.

Reach I

  i.      Construction of the cutoff wall has been completed and project finalization and turnover to SAFCA and the District is in progress. 

  ii.      Design for the Reach I Contract 2 to construct a patrol / maintenance road and perform levee slope flattening being done by HDR Engineers.  100% plans are still scheduled for September 2021.   SAFCA and RD 1000 are working with the design team to address some access road constrictions affecting future O&M.   The Corps continues coordination with SAFCA and the State on necessary ROW acquisition.  Contract for tree removal to be awarded September 2021 with work done between November and February with levee construction to commence in April 2022 if the ROW can be acquired.

Other Projects

  i.      Plant 5 replacement—Design for Plant 5 replacement has been delayed to January 2022 due to lack of funding. Corps is coordinating with SAFCA on the designer selection

  ii.      Highway 99 – The design contract for the closure of the Highway 99 crossing gap at the Natomas Cross Canal has been awarded to HDR Engineers.  Survey crews will be on site in September gathering data and elevations for the design to begin. Corp continues to indicate they cannot include a floodwall closure as this would constitute levee raising.

For additional updates on the Natomas Levee Project go here and sign up for the Army Corps mailing list.