Healthy Creeks and Flood Protection Projects
The District’s overarching goal is to protect the residents and properties of Alameda County from flooding. The intention is to lower the elevation of water flowing through the San Lorenzo Creek flood control channel so that levees can be certified, the flood-prone designation removed and flood insurance no longer mandatory in FEMA's newly designated flood-prone areas.
Engineers are already doing preliminary analysis on several feasible solutions that could hold more water up in the hills during heavy rains (potentially in Don Castro and Cull Creek Reservoirs) and release water slowly when the rains subside. With the Healthy Creeks and Flood Protection Program, the District is also taking a comprehensive look at the entire watershed and working with the entire community to:
- Increase flood protection
- Increase water quality and capacity of Don Castro Dam
- Increase the seismic safety of Cull Reservoir
- Enhance creek habitat and fish passage
- Improve water quality in creeks flowing to the Bay
- Increase recreational access to our creeks and lakes through improved trails, parkways and overlooks
- Foster economic development in specific areas
The CRS Program
The District has put the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System (CRS) in place—a program that guides flood preparedness and flood protection efforts. Using that program can reduce flood insurance rates up to 45%.
The District has already achieved a 15% reduction in flood insurance rates and will continue to work to achieve the maximum reduction possible. Elements of the CRS program include flood prevention and reduction projects, mapping and land use regulations, flood preparedness and safety systems and programs, floodplain management, public information, and flood insurance.
