Pajaro River
Flood Risk Management Project
USACE seeks public comment on Pajaro River Environmental Document
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District (USACE) has achieved another key milestone in its efforts to advance construction on the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project. USACE conducted an environmental analysis in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA). The Supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA) dated April 2024 for the Pajaro River at Watsonville, California, Reach 6 Flood Risk Management Project addresses design refinements for the authorized flood risk management project along Corralitos Creek in the City of Watsonville. Reach 6 remains on schedule to start construction later this year.
The Reach 6 project involves constructing new setback levees along Corralitos Creek from Green Valley Road to E. Lake Avenue/Highway 152. The Supplemental EA evaluated changes to the design which incorporated site-specific considerations and cost saving measures that were not identified during the original integrated Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project General Reevaluation Report and Environmental Assessment (GRR/EA), dated February 2019 and revised December 2019. Read more.
About the Project
The Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project – a $599 million effort to reduce flood risk from the lower Pajaro River and Corralitos and Salsipuedes Creeks -- will provide 100-year flood protection to the City of Watsonville and the town of Pajaro, and a mix of 100-year and 25-year flood protection to the surrounding agricultural areas. The US Army Corps of Engineers and the CA Department of Water Resources will pay 100 percent of all project costs. However, the community is required to pay for ongoing operations and maintenance of the levee system.
Project Fact Sheet
Project Need
Levees protecting the City of Watsonville, the town of Pajaro and surrounding agricultural areas are critically deficient. Today, these levees only provide an 8-year level of flood protection, among the lowest of any federal flood control project in California. At a minimum, 100-year flood protection is required to provide adequate flood protection for these disadvantaged communities and comply with federal regulations.
Project Documents
USACE Director’s Report — Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study — December 2019
USACE Report Summary: Pajaro River General Reevaluation Report, California — February 2019
USACE Director’s Report - Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Final General Reevaluation Report & Environmental Assessment — February 2019