SANTA CLARA COUNTY – It has been a while since Santa Clara County has seen enough rain to cause a flood, but a series of major storms could quickly change that. The Santa Clara Valley Water District spends five months out of the year clearing out creeks and streams to protect people from floods.
Here’s a brief list of work completed during the 2007 stream maintenance season:

• Bank repair projects on the East Little Llagas, Calabazas, Greystone, Alamitos and the Upper Penitencia creeks.
• Sediment removal along Adobe, Greystone and Berryessa creeks
• Levee repairs to Stevens Creek
• Fish ladder repairs in Llagas Creek
• Vegetation removal in the Guadalupe River
• Concrete repair in Saratoga Creek

In addition to the Stream Maintenance Program , the water district recently distributed its annual floodplain mailer to 105,000 residents and property owners. Among the topics covered in the mailer are:

• Creeks prone to flooding in Santa Clara County
• Contact information for each city to report blocked storm drains.
• Steps to take to protect property from flooding before a flood, during a flood and after a flood.
• Information about flood insurance and who should have it.
• Tips on keeping debris out of local creeks and dumping prevention.
  

The Santa Clara Valley Water District manages wholesale drinking water resources and provides stewardship for the county's five watersheds, including 10 reservoirs, more than 800 miles of streams and groundwater basins. The water district also provides flood protection throughout Santa Clara County.