American River Common Features
In 1996, Congress authorized the “Common Features” project to stabilize 26 miles of levees along the Lower American River, raise and strengthen 12 miles of the east levee of the Sacramento River, and create an early warning system to protect recreational visitors along the American River. The scope of the project was broadened in the 1999 Water Resources Development Act to include levee raising along portions of the north and south banks of the American River and along the north and south banks of the Natomas Cross Canal.  In 2003, Congress also increased the authorized cost of this project in recognition of the levee defects found as a result of the 1997 flood. 

 

Construction work on the American River levees has been underway since 1998, with work prioritized to achieve the greatest flood risk reduction for the greatest number of residents.  Work has resulted in 100-year flood protection certification for most of the American River levee system in 2005.

 

American River—Natomas/North Area Local Project
Authorized by Congress in 1992, but built locally by SAFCA, this project reinforced levees in the southeast portion of Natomas and the Natomas Cross Canal.

 

Sacramento Urban Area Levee Reconstruction
After the1986 flood, the Natomas area was downrated in flood protection to the 40-year level prompting work on the areas levees. The project began in 1990 and was completed in 1994.  The project consisted of reconstructing levees along the east side of the Sacramento River in Natomas and the Greenhaven/Pocket Areas, a portion of the west side of the river across from Greenhaven, and improvements to the floodwall in Old Sacramento. 

 

South Sacramento County Streams Group Project
While most of Sacramento experiences a flood threat from the American or Sacramento Rivers, the southern part of the city is threatened by a group of streams appropriately called “South Sacramento Streams”.  The area that makes up the South Sacramento Streams Group Project contains over 100,000 people and 41,000 structures in the floodplain of Morrison, Unionhouse, Florin and Elder Creeks. Congress authorized the project in the 1999 Water Resources Development Act to build approximately 12 miles of floodwalls and constructing 13 miles of levee improvements.

 

Sacramento River Bank Protection Project
In 1960, Congress authorized the Sacramento River Bank Protection Project, to address river bank erosion issues for 1,300 miles of levees.  Specific to the City of Sacramento, there are a number of erosion and stability sites south of the confluence, which need repair. 

 

American River—Folsom Dam Modifications
Authorized by Congress in 1999, the purpose of the project is to allow Folsom Dam to more effectively release water in preparation for and during a flood event.  Since the cost of the originally proposed project exceeded estimates, the local flood control partners have been working to redesign the project.  The envisioned project will allow more water to be released from the dam by constructing an auxiliary spillway that will include operable gates. 

 

American River—Folsom Dam Raise
Authorized by Congress in 2003, this project will raise the height of Folsom Dam, increasing the flood storage capacity.  Combined with other authorized flood control improvements, this project would double Sacramento’s level of protection.