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

April 2022 Status:

Reach A

i.      The Contract was awarded on September 23 to Ahtna-Great Lakes (joint venture) for the base contract. The contractor has sent cut off wall mix designs for review. Construction is still scheduled to commence in 2022 for three years.  District staff attended the kickoff meeting for Reach A construction which included the contractor, Corps, State and SAFCA.

ii.     Work at Plants 1A and 1B are options for Reach A contract.  The District and SAFCA approved the agreement allowing for the Corps to modify the pump plants and ensure Plant 1A and 1B are operational during the flood season throughout the project.  We are working on the details to allow partial operation of Plant 1B during the irrigation season for rice drainage.

iii.   Tree removal work started in November and is completed for this year. SAFCA/State continue coordinating with the Corps on SMUD, AT&T and PGE relocations.

Reach B

i.      Construction continued on Reach B including relocation of the Riverside Canal and replacement of other Natomas Water Company facilities. The Corps is working on logistics to have borrow material for Reach B to be delivered on site in 2022 from work on the Lower American River bank protection sites being done by the Corps.  The Corps is evaluating whether to continue the current contract or award a new contract when the borrow material is delivered and available.

ii.     District staff has been coordinating with Corps Project Management team to monitor construction on outfall, discharge pipes, pumps and electrical to get plant operational. Current schedule is to have Plant 3 operational by early April 2022. Garden Highway closure between San Juan Rd and Powerline Rd is expected to re-open April 1, 2022. Following the reopening of Garden Highway, San Juan Rd will be closed.

iii.   Construction at the I-5 window crossing the Sacramento River south of Bayou Road consists of levee widening, construction of a seepage berm on the landside, and intersection modifications for North Bayou Way and Garden Highway. The contractor has winterized the site with coordination from District field staff. The Corps is evaluating the current contract as it relates to contractor selection for project completion this year.

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 12. The plant will be non-operational this flood season as the electrical protection equipment procurement is 36 weeks from the order date of 2/14/21. Completion target date of Plant 4 is November 2022.

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 State, SAFCA and RD 1000 continue to work with the design team to resolve issues as the Corps works on the 100% plans which have been delayed to April. The proposed borrow site is the Kaufman property adjacent to the project. Critical issue continues to be securing right of way and coordination with PG&E to move their utility lines outside the proposed levee construction. The current scheduled has slipped with contract award November 2022 but construction still in 2023 and 2024.

ii.     SAFCA and State DWR are in negotiations for right of way acquisition based on the ROW Take letter from the Corps issued in July.  SAFCA anticipates at least one property will go to eminent domain which could impact the contract award.  SAFCA is also negotiating with the Brookfield site for a full take which could provide sufficient borrow for the remainder of the Natomas project.

Reach F

i.      The Corps is working on the 95% plans which are due in May 2022.  A field meeting with the design team from Minnesota occurred in February with SAFCA, State and District in attendance.    

ii.     State and SAFCA continue working with the Corps on key issues affecting design; particularly the proposed takes on properties with existing structures, the work near Pumping Plant No. 6 and a borrow source. A portion of the borrow may come from the Kaufmann site sharing with Reach E.  There is a deficit of 250,000 cy needed to complete Reach F and G. The material from the Sutter Pointe project or potentially from Brookfield could be used for this reach. Contract Award still scheduled for late 2022 and construction in 2023 and 2024 if the borrow location can be identified.

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.      The Corps is processing the contract modification to complete the fence relocations, patrol road and I-80 berm. SAFCA continues acquisition of rights needed to complete patrol road and fence relocations. This project will continue through 2022 as these contract modifications are negotiated and rights of way acquired. Paving has been completed from the Arden/Garden Connector to Pump Plant #8.

Reach I

i.      Construction of the cutoff wall has been completed and project finalization and turnover to SAFCA and the District is in progress.  A final construction report has been submitted for SAFCA and the District to review.

ii.     Design for the Reach I Contract 2 to construct a patrol / maintenance road and perform levee slope flattening has been completed. SAFCA is working on real estate acquisition and coordination with utilities for relocation. Contract for tree removal was awarded in January 2022 for public parcels pending right of way acquisition; trees on private parcels will be removed in late 2022 (November/December).   The levee construction is scheduled to be done in 2023.

Other Projects

i.      Plant 5 replacement—The Corps is negotiating with Stantec/Kleinfelder team for the Plant 5 design scope of work.  The District is providing input on the design scope to be compatible with our other pump plants.

Highway 99 Window – HDR Engineers are doing the design for the closure of the Highway 99 crossing gap at the Natomas Cross Canal. The Corps design team is working on 95% plans to be submitted for review in May 2022.   The proposed fix is a slurry wall across the freeway lanes from the top of the levee which will require partial closures on Highway 99 across the Cross Canal.   The schedule is to award the contract in June 2023 with construction in 2023 and 2024.

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