Valley Water is proud to announce the near completion of Phase 1 of the Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project. This project included the construction of over 8,500 feet of floodwalls along a four-mile stretch between Old Oakland Road and Interstate 280.
The construction of floodwalls enhances Coyote Creek’s capacity to manage increased water flow when water is released from the newly completed tunnel at Anderson Dam during storms or emergencies. Our teams will also focus on restoring local vegetation over the next three years.
Phase 2 of the Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project will extend along Coyote Creek from Montague Expressway to Tully Road. The combination of Phase 1 and Phase 2 projects will protect 600 homes and businesses from floods up to the level that occurred on February 21, 2017. In addition, the combined projects will protect homes and businesses from flooding when water is released from a planned secondary diversion tunnel while Anderson Dam is rebuilt as part of the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project
A recent delay in the construction of the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project due to an extension of the environmental permitting process has provided our team with some flexibility regarding the scheduled start of Phase 2 of the Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project.
Construction of Phase 2 of the Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project is now set to begin in mid-2026 instead of the previously planned mid-2025. This postponement gives our team additional time to secure all necessary land rights and avoid the increased costs associated with working in only approved areas, ensuring a smoother construction process.
The delay also provides a valuable opportunity for our team to continue efforts to secure a $50 million grant agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program.
Once completed, the Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project will significantly enhance flood protection for our community, helping to safeguard against potential flood events up to the level that occurred on February 21, 2017, equivalent to approximately a 5% flood (also referred to as a 20-year event).
We invite you to visit our project page and attend community informational meetings to stay informed about the construction progress.
Let’s hope there isn’t a flood next winter!