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

August 2021 Status:

Reach A

  i.      The Corps issued its Prequalification Solicitation List (qualified contractors).  Current schedule is solicit bids June 29 to August 16; Bid Opening August 24 and Contract Award September 25 with construction in 2022.    

  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.   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 commenced at the I-5 window crossing the Sacramento River south of Bayou Road.  This 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 “Cure Notice” due to a lack of performance by the contractor.  If not resolved, the contract could be terminated. District staff is monitoring the work to ensure 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 its tenth week. 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 should be complete by August 26 for review by District, SAFCA and State.  Critical issue is to identify borrow site.  Kaufmann site is adjacent yet proposed to be used for Reach A. 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.  Right of way acquisition and borrow will be the critical path issues to keep the project on schedule.

Reach F

  i.      The Corps has reinitiated the design based on the revised Final Design Water Surface elevation. The new DWSE is lower than previously determined which may reduce some of the improvements needed. The Corps has begun 65% design, will review and amend their 35% design as necessary.

  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 such as ROW take, structure removals, utility relocations, access points and resolution of Plant 6 impacts, all to improve the design process and keep the project on schedule. 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.

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 scheduled by 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 is 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/Notes

  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 at the Natomas Cross Canal has been awarded to HDR Engineers.  Corp continues to indicate they cannot include a floodwall closure as this would constitute levee raising.  RD 1000/SAFCA/State will develop strategy for this location.

The primary concern for the Natomas project is the lack of borrow material.  With the loss of a Natomas Basin Conservancy site, there is a projected deficit of over 1.0 million cubic yards.  The Corps is working with the State and SAFCA to identify potential borrow sites and is considering commercial borrow sites and other bid alternatives which could increase the project costs.

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