Reach 2 Project - Frequently Asked Questions (as of October 17, 2023)
What have we learned about the creek after the winter storms and flooding?
The SFCJPA’s member agency, Valley Water, conducted a preliminary analysis of the creek’s behavior; using information collected about the December 31, 2022, storm event- including creek flow, observed breakout locations, debris, vegetation- and used that information to recalibrate the San Francisquito Creek HEC-RAS hydraulic model from Highway 101 to El Camino Real. They then used the recalibrated model to predict how the creek could respond to our proposed project elements. Valley Water’s Hydraulic Evaluation was presented at our June 8th 2023 Special Board meeting.
The SFCJPA hired an independent consultant to:
1) Perform their own evaluation of the effects of the December 31, 2022 rain event on the San Francisquito Creek HEC-RAS model,
2) Create a new model that includes stormwater (InfoWorks ICM), using new channel survey data collected August-September 2023 of San Francisquito Creek Bed and Banks at the observed creek breakout locations and
3) Review the U.S. Geological Survey’s procedures that resulted in their flow level adjustments for the San Francisquito Creek stream gage at Stanford University.
This independent evaluation is expected to be completed and presented at our November 16th Board Meeting.
What is the schedule for the project?
The Reach 2 Project has four components. Newell Road Bridge, Channel Widening, Top-of-Bank, Pope-Chaucer Bridge. They are planned so that we avoid transferring flood risk, which typically means moving from downstream to upstream.
1st – Newell Road Bridge – Planned Construction in Summer 2024
2nd (or 3rd) – Channel Widening – Planned construction in Summer 2025
3rd (or 2nd) – Top-of-Bank – Planned construction in Summer 2025
4th – Pope-Chaucer Bridge – Construction can be in Summer 2025, or thereafter.
The Newell Road Bridge replacement and channel widening project components are planned for construction regardless of the outcome of the independent analysis, as these are low risk “no regrets” actions. The top of Bank and Pope-Chaucer Bridge replacement may need design modifications, or may need to be replaced by other actions, depending on the results of the independent hydraulic analysis. The community will be kept informed during this process.
Why has this project taken so long?
After several years of working with the Corps of Engineers on a General Investigation (an attempt to fix the whole creek with one project), in 2009 the JPA began working on implementing flood risk reduction projects in manageable segments. The Reach 1 project took several years and substantial resources to complete. It was necessary to complete this piece first to protect against loss of life in the most vulnerable area of the floodplain, and to avoid transferring risk. The Reach 1 project was completed in 2019.
Project planning continued for the Reach 2 and Reach 3 segments during this time, with the Reach 2 Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that was certified by our Board in September 2019. A legal challenge to the EIR was finally resolved in the SFCJPA’s favor in August 2022.
Despite the legal challenge, the SFCJPA and partners continued to further the Urban Reach 2 project designs, pursue property rights, regulatory permits, and funding needed for construction in 2024-2026.
The winter storms of 2022-2023 resulted in the current reexamination of the Reach 2 project. In the future, it is predicted that there will be more frequent very intense storm events. Researchers at Stanford University have performed probabilistic modeling of San Francisquito Creek and determined that the 500-year storm event (0.2 percent of occurring in any given year) is predicted to be more common in the future. Climate change, with a warmer atmosphere and warmer oceans, also point in the direction of the potential for more intense precipitation events.
We want to be certain that the project that we build will not transfer risks downstream and that the project is the best project that can be built in this highly constrained stretch of the creek.
Who is responsible for what work?
Newell Road Bridge - The City of Palo Alto is responsible for the Newell Road Bridge. Most of the funding is coming from the CalTrans bridge program, and the CalTrans program requires the registered owner of the bridge, in this case, Palo Alto, to be the grant awardee. Therefore, Palo Alto is leading this part of the project. Valley Water and the SFCJPA are supporting this part of the project through match funding and coordinating submittal of regulatory agency permit applications. The City of Palo Alto’s project webpage has more information: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Public-Works/Engineering-Services/Engineering-Projects/Newell-Road
Channel Widening – The four channel widening sites are being constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) through the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP), Section 205 (shorthand name is “CAP205”). Valley Water has provided some design and hydraulic modeling support. The USACE is responsible for finalizing the designs and for compiling and submitting necessary regulatory agency permit applications. The SFCJPA is leading the restoration components of the widening work and coordinating with the USACE.
Top-of-Bank – The SFCJPA is leading this part of the project, with design support from Valley Water.
Pope-Chaucer Bridge – The SFCJPA is leading this part of the project, with design support from Valley Water.
Design and implementation of the Top of Bank and Pope-Chaucer components will need to consider new hydraulic information from the 12/31/22 flood, which is currently being analyzed. Should design modification or alternate actions need consideration, the SFCJPA will conduct the planning and design to make those changes. The SFCJPA is committed to a clear and transparent process and will keep the community informed and solicit public input.
How much is this going to cost?
The current total cost estimate for all four parts of the project is $70 Million, taking inflation into account. That number will change as designs get closer to finalization.
How much of the project is funded?
Between commitments from Valley Water’s “Clean, Safe Water” program ($25M), USACE CAP205 ($10M), CalTrans (~$11M), and California Department of Water Resources Prop 1 grant ($3.8M), $2M in State legislative funding approximately $53M or about 75% is funded.
How will the gap be funded?
We are continuing to look for grants to fill as much of the gap as possible. Whatever funding gap remains will be funded by the four SFCJPA members: City of Palo Alto, City of Menlo Park, City of East Palo Alto, and OneShoreline (Valley Water is already contributing $25M) according to a to-be-determined framework.
Why do the project elements only get built in the summertime?
The creek is a migratory corridor for endangered steelhead, a native fish related to salmon protected under the Endangered Species Act. To comply with legal requirements of the state and federal agencies with environmental authority over the creek, work can only be done when the channel is dry.
How long will the Newell Road bridge be closed?
The City of Palo Alto anticipates the project construction will start in early 2024 and will take about a year and a half to complete. The cities of Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and Menlo Park are coordinating on issues like emergency vehicle access and routes, parking, and traffic control during construction. The channel needs to remain free of equipment during the wet season for full flow conveyance, safety, and water quality requirements. See Palo Alto’s project webpage for more information: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Public-Works/Engineering-Services/Engineering-Projects/Newell-Road
What about impacts to project neighbors during construction?
Some impacts, like traffic delays during construction, are unavoidable. However, other impacts such as noise, dust, or vibrations, will be minimized. Additionally, the project will implement monitoring to ensure construction practices conform to expectations.
We know some trees will be removed or impacted by the project. What will you do about that?
Yes. Some trees will be removed. Some trees may be impacted by construction activities. Removed trees will be replaced according to the applicable city’s tree canopy ordinance. To the extent possible construction will avoid damaging trees, but potentially impacted trees will be assessed by an arborist. If the tree can be protected, appropriate steps will be taken.
A lot of vegetation has grown up in the creek. What will you do about that?
Yes. Willows and other types of vegetation are growing in the creek channel. Some of that vegetation – like the willows – provides good habitat for birds and fish and does not block water flow in the channel. There are specific regulatory requirements – including obtaining permits – for managing vegetation in creek channels, to protect habitats and animals.
What do you do to take care of the stuff in the creek channel?
Every September, SFCJPA staff organizes public works and maintenance representatives from each of the SFCJPA member agencies and Stanford University for the Annual Maintenance Walk on San Francisquito Creek. Staff from the SFCJPA’s members hike the seven-mile stretch of mainstem creek (from the Sand Hill Road Bridge to Hwy. 101) and identify potential problems. We look for trash or debris and broken or dead trees large enough to get stuck under bridges or inside culverts. Staff record the locations of these large items. The applicable city staff then come back and either remove the trash or cut the branches and tree trunks into small pieces.
Why don’t you take the cut-up branches and tree trunks out of the creek channel?
There are few places to safely access and exit the creek channel. Together with the steep banks, this makes removing logs and branches – even when cut into pieces - very difficult. Left in the creek, the smaller pieces of wood wash out to the bay where they provide important habitat and nutrient resources for the marshes and bay.
There are a lot of non-native trees along the creek, and trees that look like they could fall into the creek. What will you do about that?
The SFCJPA is developing a hazardous and invasive tree removal plan and will be coordinating this longer-term action with our partner agencies. We know that invasive trees affect the creek’s hydrology and out compete native species. Some vegetation, like non-native eucalyptus trees, may need to be reduced or removed to keep the channel clear. The SFCJPA and its members and project partners will determine how to address this. Much of the creek channel is held in private ownership and trees growing there are the responsibility of the property owner. Further upstream, Stanford University is undertaking a large-scale evaluation of stream-side trees and are cutting up those that have fallen into the creek channel on their lands.
What are you doing about illegal dumping and all the trash in the creek?
This is a difficult issue because it has many causes. Some trash ends up in the creek because it is blown or washed there. Some trash is dumped there by thoughtless people, but catching them, or preventing those actions is difficult. Homeless encampments and incidences of vandalism are reported to the appropriate agency. Cities deliver letters to homeowners found to be dumping garbage or yard waste into the creek. Illicit discharge incidences are reported to the Regional Water Quality Control Board and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
What about creek bank erosion? There was a lot of that this winter.
Yes, there was quite a bit of erosion last winter, not just in our creek but in creeks all over the Bay Area. Bank erosion is a natural effect of fast-moving water. The San Francisquito Creek runs through the sand and gravel of its alluvial fan, which is very prone to erosion. Private property owners are responsible for maintaining the creek banks they own. A useful guide to creek bank restoration and maintenance, “The San Francisquito Creek Bank Stabilization and Revegetation Master Plan” is available on the SFCJPA website https://www.sfcjpa.org/jpa-documents-archives.
Why doesn’t the SFCJPA fix the issues with the trees and erosion everywhere?
Most of the creek channel and creek banks are in private ownership. The rights, and rules, of private property ownership limit what public agencies can do. Access to the creek is limited by a patchwork of private ownership and access easements with private property owners, cities, counties, and other agencies. Typically, those easements are only for specific purposes, such as flood control feature maintenance. Therefore, we do what we can, where we can.
Can’t upstream detention solve the flooding problem?
No, not as a stand-alone action. We are working with consultants and Stanford University to assess our options, costs, and how we might design and fund such a project.
What if I see a downed tree, debris in the creek, or other storm-related problems?
To report creek or tidal flooding, blocked storm drains, fallen trees, or other storm-related hazards –
In East Palo alto, call 650-368-1421
In Menlo Park, call 650-329-2413 or visit www.menlopark.gov/storms
In Palo Alto visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/stormupdate
SFCJPA Background Questions
What is the SFCJPA?
The San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (SFCJPA) is a local government agency, made up of five member agencies: the cities of East Palo Alto, Palo Alto and Menlo Park, the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) and the San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency Agency. The members are based on their shared jurisdictional authority over the San Francisquito Creek. The SFCJPA is governed by a five member board of directors, one member appointed from each of the SFCPJA members’ elected councils or boards.
How is the SFCJPA Funded?
The SFCJPA is funded by annual member agency contributions (which pays for operating expenses) and grants, member agency contributions and donations (which pay for planning, design and construction of the SFCJPA’s projects). A significant amount of flood protection design and construction funding comes to the SFCJPA projects from Valley Water’s Safe Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program. Project design and construction is funded by a combination of federal and state grants, and local funding.
What is the SFCJPA’s jurisdiction?
The SFCJPA facilitates feasibility studies and integrated projects to address flood management, tidal and sea level flooding, and ecosystem and recreational enhancements in and along the San Francisquito Creek, and the bay margins in Menlo Park, Palo Alto and East Palo Alto.
Where are you located?
The San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (SFCJPA) offices are located in downtown Menlo Park at 750 Menlo Avenue, Suite 250. The offices are an easy walk from the CalTrain station or from local bus services. Public parking is available in the lot in the center of the block behind the building.
Who are the member jurisdictions? The members of the SFCJPA are the cities of East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, and the San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District, also known as OneShoreline.