Background
As a result of flooding events in western Yolo County 2017 and 2019, the County identified a need for a more comprehensive approach to flood prevention. On June 4, 2019, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors received a presentation on this identified need and authorized the revival of a previous regional effort from 2007 referred to as "FloodSAFE Yolo" (Item #32). The County and the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District ("District") entered into a MOU and each contributed $100,000 in FY 19/20 towards implementation of the revived and re-imagined effort, now known as FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0.
The program is designed to minimize the risk from flooding in Yolo County through strengthened drainage system maintenance, construction of system-wide drainage improvements, additional mapping and studies, and support for flood-friendly farming practices. An info-graphic is provided as Attachment A to this staff report. Major program elements include:
- Flood Emergency Preparedness
- Flood Hazard Mitigation Projects Planning and Development
- Projects Implementation and Maintenance
- Watershed Assessment and Monitoring
- Program Administration and Funding
- Outreach to Yolo County/Stakeholders/Public/Agency/Elected Officials
Mission Statement
The FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0 program ("FSY2.0") will minimize the risk from flooding in rural areas of Yolo County to the maximum extent possible. FSY2.0 will focus upon areas that are not currently addressed by existing flood control programs managed by other entities.
Implementation Roadmap
In implementing the objectives of the FSY2.0 program, staff has developed the following roadmap to assure that the joint effort reflects community values and results in desired outcomes:
- Work collaboratively with stakeholders (agricultural, environmental, local government, regulatory agency, and public) in the development of policies that reduce the risks associated with localized and regional flooding.
- Develop performance measures and report periodically to Yolo County, stakeholders, and the public regarding the progress we have made in developing acceptable policies and projects.
- Remain aware of relevant federal, state, and regional flood and environmental policies.
- Utilize the most appropriate technology available to forecast impacts associated with flood and environmental management policies and recommend actions based upon the technology while respecting the quality of life in Yolo County.
- Remain sensitive to the costs associated with environmental and flood management policies, which could become a burden to property owners, local governments, and other stakeholders.
- Pursue and implement our work in a collaborative, cost-effective, and efficient manner in order to demonstrate that we are trustworthy guardians of the public’s resources.
FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0 - Year End Report (FY 19/20)
The year end report for FY 19/20 is provided as Attachment B to this staff report. The following is a high-level summary of the contents of the report.
Town of Madison/State Route 16
The FSY2.0 Steering Committee determined that implementation of a flood risk reduction plan for the community of Madison was amongst the highest priorities. Beginning in Fall 2019, the FSY2.0 team began planning and constructing flood risk reduction projects in and around the town. FSY2.0 obtained recent hydraulic modeling from CalTrans that was done in conjunction with their HWY 16 Safety Improvement Project and contracted with an engineering firm to refine and calibrate the modeling. Based on the modeling and recommendations from the engineering team, 38 unique projects were identified and implemented within a 6-month time span. The most significant actions are listed below. A full roster of all Madison flood projects is provided as Attachment C.
- Sealed the gabion rock wall on the west side of town along Tutt Street.
- Constructed new flood barrier on the south side of town along Hurlbut Street.
- Deepened and widened Madison Drain along entire reach upstream, through town, and downstream.
- Constructed new culvert for additional conveyance on Madison Drain at Tutt Street.
- Removed vegetation in Madison Drain, Willow Slough, and Cottonwood Slough.
It is worth noting that the County applied for, and was awarded, two flood mitigation grants for the community of Madison from the State Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). These grants total $348,699 and will allow this task under FSY2.0 to continue regardless of continued funding from the County and District.
The same flood waters that inundate Madison from the north and northwest also create significant impacts to State Route 16 from approximately I-505 to Esparto, and in other localized areas moving west into the Capay Valley. For that reason, the FSY2.0 team also advanced a planning-level project to update hydraulic modeling for SR 16 from Esparto to I-505. The team is currently evaluating potential projects to mitigate the flooding that impacts SR 16 in the Madison/Esparto area.
Rolling Acres/West Plainfield
The FSY2.0 team remains engaged in ongoing discussions with residents of the area, County representatives, and District representatives. Some channel maintenance/vegetation removal in Airport Slough was funded by FSY 2.0, but this provided only limited flood risk reduction. The most recent discussions resulted in a proposed action to commission a study that comprehensively summarizes the array of reports and technical studies completed for the area including the entire watershed. It is known that many of these existing documents provide recommendations for flood risk reduction. County staff released a request for quotes for this scope of work. As of this time, the study has not initiated.
Huff's Corner (CR 18) Levee Raise and Channel Improvement
This project is under the direction of Yolo County and funded by the County and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). Currently, the project is in preliminary design and permitting. CEQA efforts have been initiated as well. Construction is scheduled for Summer/Fall 2021.
Expanded Flood Monitoring
The FSY2.0 team identified areas in the western Yolo County watershed where flood monitoring was absent or spotty and recommended the installation of new monitoring equipment. The infrastructure would link to District's SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system and also be made available to County departments. Equipment has been ordered and plans are in place to install and operate the new sensors in late summer 2020.
Unique Localized Actions
Numerous projects were identified that required relatively small effort to resolve, but also made a positive impact to the local landowner or resident. Examples include repairing a berm on a property that experienced frequent flooding near an orchard and a District canal. Another is the rapid-response by District staff to remove vegetation on nearby Lamb Valley Slough despite being out of the District’s jurisdiction. Additionally, multiple onsite meetings at various landowners’ properties to update them on actions and solutions built goodwill and trust in the FSY 2.0 Program.
Governance Models for Long-Term Program Implementation
The team spent considerable time researching and compiling how peer jurisdictions have responded to coordinated local flood control issues. These jurisdictional models are discussed in detail in the report (Attachment B, beginning on page 7) and include assessments, creation of a new special district, a JPA model, and several others.
Proposed FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0 Work Plan for FY 20/21
Staff is proposing seven projects, in addition to ongoing education, community outreach, and stakeholder engagement, for the FSY2.0 team to undertake during FY 20/21. These projects are not listed in any particular order:
- Comprehensive hydraulic and hydrology review of past studies for the Rolling Acres/West Plainfield region.
- Comprehensive mapping effort to document drainage features and maintenance responsibilities.
- Madison Flood Risk Reduction project development (CalOES grant funded).
- State Route 16 Flood Improvement Project.
- Comprehensive flood water detention project development for Madison/Esparto/SR 16 area.
- Huff's Corner Levee Raise and Channel Improvement project.
- Expand flood monitoring capabilities through SCADA system improvement.
There is no funding request associated with this request. Staff will continue to work with executive leadership within the County and District, as well as the Department of Financial Services, and will return to the Board at a later date with any future funding requests. |