Urban flooding projects receive funding from Natural Resources Agency

More than $85 million has been awarded to 26 projects throughout California that to address urban flooding and deliver environmental benefits.

The California Natural Resources Agency recently announced the projects selected for funding, 19 of which will benefit disadvantaged communities, and employ a mix of traditional and green infrastructure solutions to alleviate urban flooding. The grants are part of the Urban Flood Protection grant program funded by Proposition 68.

“Amidst drought, we cannot forget about California’s flood risks,” said California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot. “Climate change is driving more intense winter storms that can bring severe flooding. In response, these exemplary projects will help to protect local communities, infrastructure and natural places from worsening flood threats.”

In 2018, California voters passed the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68), which directed the Natural Resources Agency to administer a competitive grant program for projects that address flooding in urbanized areas and provide multiple benefits.

The winning projects are:

Alameda County:

Alameda County Flood Control & Water Conservation District, $5,890,800, Line D Channel Naturalization (Ohlone Creek) between Cherry Street and Union Pacific Railroad in Newark, Alameda County.

Contra Costa County:

City of Richmond, $1,598,844, Flood Risk Reduction in the Rheem Creek Watershed.

City of San Pablo, $1,760,000, Sutter Avenue Green Street.

El Dorado County:

City of South Lake Tahoe, $1,150,000, Barton Avenue and 2nd Street Drainage Project. 

Fresno County:

City of Mendota, $4,208,699, City of Mendota Stormwater Improvement Project.

City of Parlier, $2,960,770, Parlier Flood Protection Project.

Humboldt County:

City of Eureka, $2,535,060, Flood Reduction and Climate Adaptation Project.

Manila Community Services District, $2,502,000, Manila Flood Reduction and Drainage Enhancement Project.

Imperial County:

City of Calipatria, $3,931,601, Calipatria East Side Stormwater Drainage Improvement Project.

Kern County:

County of Kern, $3,467,000, Caliente Creek Urban Flood Protection Project Phase II.

Los Angeles County:

The Nature Conservancy, $1,250,226, LA River Urban Flood Protection and Habitat Enhancement Project.

City of Torrance, $867,075, Regina Alley Storm Drain Improvements.

Amigos de los Rios, $858,450, Emerald Necklace Monrovia Unified School District Natural Infrastructure Project.

City of Manhattan Beach, $4,936,566, Manhattan Beach Stormwater Infiltration Project.

Orange County:

City of Santa Ana, $3,800,000, Downtown Flood Reduction and Stormwater Infiltration Project.

The Trust for Public Land, $6,000,000, Banning Ranch Acquisition Project.

Riverside County:

City of Indio, $4,114,572, Civic Center Storm Drain System Project.

The Trust for Public Land, $4,000,000, Bel Air Greens Floodplain Protection Project.

San Diego County:

California Trout, Inc., $5,963,825, Santa Margarita River Bridge Replacement for Flood Protection.

San Mateo County:

City of Belmont, $5,951,000, Belmont Creek Twin Pines Park Stormwater Capture.

Santa Barbara County:

City of Carpinteria, $366,262, East Via Real Stormwater Project.

Santa Clara County:

Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, $6,000,000, Protection of North Coyote Valley Floodplain to Reduce Downstream Flooding in Urban San Jose.

Shasta County:

City of Redding, $2,295,100, Boulder Creek Flood Protection and Natural Treatment Project.

Tulare County:

City of Visalia, $2,867,667, Oaks Basin.

Ventura County:

The Trust for Public Land, $3,000,000, Ventura River Petrochem Acquisition Project.

Yolo County:

Regents of the University of California Davis, $5,387,186, UC Davis Arboretum Waterway Integrated Flood Protection and Habitat Enhancement Project.