Publication Date: Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Study: Creek flood damage could reach $780 million
Study: Creek flood damage could reach $780 million
(October 05, 2005) Army Corps flood control project to be discussed Wednesday at rare joint meeting of three city councils
by Bill D'Agostino
In February 1998, the San Francisquito Creek jumped its banks, causing an estimated $28 million in damages. It's projected that a similar flood has a 2.5 percent chance of occurring every year.
But according to a recent Army Corps of Engineers analysis, that flood was a mere drop in the bucket compared to one that has a 1 percent chance of occurring every year and would cause an estimated $780 million in damages throughout the area.
On Wednesday night, the Palo Alto, Menlo Park and East Palo Alto city councils - the cities most in danger of creek flooding -- -- will hold a rare joint meeting to get an update on the local flood control agency's ongoing partnership with the Army Corps.
The Army Corps estimates that reducing the risk of the creek overflowing during a "100-year storm" -- the one with a 1 percent chance of occurring annually -- would cost approximately $75 million.
That estimate was based on the costs for a similar project for the Petaluma River. But that project involved creating floodwalls, a solution "which would never fly in this community," according to Cynthia D'Agosta, the executive director of the agency responsible for the creek, the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority.
Part of the reason a similar solution would face strong opposition here is that the San Francisquito Creek -- which is the border between San Mateo and Santa Clara counties -- is a treasured habitat, home to numerous endangered and protected species, including steelhead trout.
If the three councils, two counties' flood control agencies and JPA board all agree in coming months, the Army Corps would undertake an in-depth look at the entire 45-square-mile watershed. The "feasibility study" could take up to four years and would culminate with a proposed solution to the creek's many threats.
Those with homes at risk of flooding expressed a desire for the project to move faster.
"I am happy that the Army Corps of Engineers project is moving forward," said Palo Alto resident Xenia Hammer, who has been following the project's progress. "I'm concerned that no improvements have actually been made to the creek that would prevent the flooding at this point. I'm also concerned about the very long timeframe of the Army Corps of Engineers project."
The exact cost of the solution will depend upon the type of flood control measure utilized. The figure is likely to exceed the Army Corps' initial $75 million estimate, especially given the high price of land in the Palo Alto area and the likelihood land will need to be acquired for the project.
Options mentioned in the Army Corps analysis included replacing bridges, raising levees, creating overflow basins, widening the creek channel and creating a partial concrete channel.
The Army Corps feasibility study would also examine environmental protection. It would also attempt to find solutions for severe bank erosion -- caused by the sinuous shape of the creek -- that "threatens schools and public roads, as well as homes and businesses," according to a background primer provided by the JPA prior to Wednesday's meeting.
The 1998 late-night flood traumatized many local homeowners whose houses suffered damage, especially since they were given little warning and awoke in the middle of the night to find water levels rising in their streets.
Last year, Palo Alto and Menlo Park awarded $3.5 million to 27 homeowners who sued the cities over their handling of the flood. The plaintiffs alleged that two bridges -- on Middlefield Road and Chaucer Street -- diverted the water in the creek toward their homes.
Those residents said they wanted the bridges replaced but earlier studies showed that removing the bridges without first mitigating the impact downstream -- toward East Palo Alto -- would only worsen downstream flooding.
Areas of East Palo Alto could be threatened by a severe flood.
There is no funding currently earmarked for construction and implementation of any proposed solutions. Much of the funding would have to come from local agencies, not just the federal government.
"We're probably going to have to go back to the voters for money," said Greg Zlotnick, who represents the Santa Clara Valley Water District on the JPA board.
In the feasibility study, the JPA is also looking at including an examination of mitigating tidal flooding -- that is, flooding from the San Francisco Bay. Approximately 750 homeowners in Palo Alto pay for flood insurance to protect against the possibility that the bay will flood their properties.
There aren't currently enough funds reserved for tidal flooding to be included in the study.
The two flood control agencies for San Mateo and Santa Clara counties have each earmarked $3 million for the study. The study of the creek alone is estimated to cost $6 million and the Army Corps pays for half of the study.
It would cost an additional $800,000 for the Army Corps to factor tidal flooding into the price tag, meaning that $400,000 more would have to be found.
But including tidal flooding in the study could have a potentially large political benefit since it would increase the number of people with a direct interest in the actions of the JPA. They might therefore be willing to approve a bond measure for the JPA's construction project, if and when it ever begins.
The joint meeting with the City Councils of Palo Alto, Menlo Park and East Palo Alto, regarding the San Francisquito Creek, will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m., in the East Palo Alto Council Chambers, 2415 University Ave.
Staff Writer Bill D'Agostino can be e-mailed at bdagostino@paweekly.com.
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