Each summer, under the Stream Maintenance Program (SMP), Valley Water takes important steps to protect neighborhoods from flooding. Over time, sediment can accumulate in creeks, reducing their capacity to carry stormwater. During heavy rains, this can lead to an increased risk of flooding for nearby homes, roads and businesses.
Valley Water conducts SMP work throughout the county to keep waterways clear, safe, and functional. Every year, crews inspect and maintain many creeks throughout Santa Clara County, prioritizing areas that need sediment removal and vegetation management. These efforts not only reduce the risk of flooding but also help prevent erosion and support the long-term function of flood protection infrastructure.
In September and October 2025, Valley Water’s Watersheds Operations and Maintenance team completed an erosion repair project along Saratoga Creek upstream of Bollinger Road, restoring 162 linear feet of eroded creek bank.
In July 2025, Valley Water crews removed sediment from Matadero Creek in Palo Alto from upstream of Louis Road to U.S. Highway 101. This work was completed in September 2025.
The SMP projects at Saratoga and Matadero creeks are just two examples of how Valley Water’s annual maintenance plays a vital role in protecting the safety and resilience of our local creeks and communities.
To learn more about the Stream Maintenance Program and other projects happening near you, visit: https://www.valleywater.org/project-updates/stream-maintenance-program.
No one has cleared the creek in Willow Glen! Homeowners had to hire help to remove fallen trees and junk from creek at their own expense,even though our property taxes fund Valley Water!
Hi Eva,
Can you please provide a specific location and I can try and get some information for you. In case you didn’t have this information, you can report encampment-related concerns to Valley Water via our online system at: access.valleywater.org/s/
Valley Water’s instream vegetation removal work for flow conveyance on the Guadalupe River began at Woz Way and is ongoing.
Woz Way to Willow Glen Way: Full in-channel clearance of vegetation under 6 inches has been completed, except for the area downstream of Highway 87 where Caltrain is working and has equipment staged.
Willow Glen Way to Almaden Expressway: Vegetation removal is being conducted within 100 feet of bridges, excluding Curtner Avenue, where Valley Water holds no land rights.
Almaden Expressway to Blossom Hill Road: Bridge clearances will continue upstream.
Upstream of Blossom Hill Road: Work will focus on the confluence of the Guadalupe River and Alamitos Creek, targeting vegetation removal from sand bars.
All work is performed only on Valley Water-owned properties or where Valley Water holds land rights, in compliance with environmental permits under the Stream Maintenance Program. Work for this season will end once the significant rainfall threshold established by these permits is reached.
There is no single entity in charge of all creeks. Valley Water owns or has maintenance rights on approximately 333 of the 800 miles of creeks in the urbanized valley areas of Santa Clara County. The remaining creeks are under the responsibility of private property owners, Santa Clara County, or local cities.
Of the 333 miles maintained by Valley Water, about 185 miles consist of improved channels built as flood protection projects, while 148 miles remain natural channels with no design flow capacity. Valley Water maintains only those areas where it has constructed flood protection projects or holds land rights.