Preparing our creeks for winter: Valley Water's Annual Stream Maintenance Program

August 4, 2026

A look at Sierra Creek after the Stream Maintenance Program work was completed in the summer of 2026.

If you've seen Valley Water crews working along local creeks this summer, they're getting some of Santa Clara County's waterways ready for the rainy season. Their work is part of Valley Water's annual Stream Maintenance Program, an effort to reduce the risk of flooding and fire.

While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it plays a critical role in protecting homes, businesses, schools and other public infrastructure before the rainy season begins.

Santa Clara County's waterways require everyone's attention and care. Valley Water is responsible for maintaining approximately 350 of the 800 miles of creeks in the county's urbanized valley areas. The remaining 450 miles of creeks are owned by private property owners and local government agencies.

Along those approximately 450 miles of creeks not managed by Valley Water, responsibility for maintenance falls to private property owners and public agencies. This includes tasks such as managing vegetation, repairing areas of erosion, and addressing issues such as graffiti, trash, debris, and fallen trees. Active involvement from property owners and local agencies is essential to protecting communities and supporting wildlife, making everyone part of the solution.

Whether maintained by Valley Water or others, creeks require ongoing care to remain healthy and reduce flood risk. Creeks naturally change over time. Winter storms can wash sediment downstream, erode creek banks, and encourage vegetation growth that restricts water flow. If left unaddressed, these conditions can increase flood and wildfire risks and affect the health of local waterways.

Summer is the best time to do this work safely and effectively. Many in-stream maintenance activities are completed during the dry season to meet environmental rules and protect fish and other aquatic species. Dry weather allows crews to access creek channels safely while reducing effects on stream flows and wildlife. Finishing maintenance before the rainy season helps prepare waterways to handle stormwater safely when winter storms arrive.

Depending on the location, Valley Water crews may perform several types of maintenance, including:

Sediment removal to restore water flow and reduce localized flood risk.
Vegetation management to restore flow capacity, restore maintenance access, and reduce wildfire risk.
Bank protection to stabilize eroding creek banks and protect nearby homes, roads, and flood protection infrastructure.
Environmental mitigation to restore habitat through native planting, invasive species removal, and other ecological improvements.

This year's Stream Maintenance Program includes proposed projects in Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Mountain View, San José, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale. An interactive map and complete list of the 37 proposed project locations are available on Valley Water's Stream Maintenance Program webpage.

One recently completed project was the Sierra Creek Sediment Removal Project in San José, where our crews removed about 810 cubic yards of sediment.

Preparing Santa Clara County's creeks for winter takes year-round planning and collaboration. Through the Stream Maintenance Program, routine maintenance is key to protecting people, property, and the environment.

Valley Water is working to prepare creeks before winter storms to help keep waterways safe and communities resilient. Please do your part to ensure that all of Santa Clara County is flood safe. For more information on private property owners and local government agency responsibilities, please visit our Creekside Property Program page.

A look at the section of Sierra Creek in San José before crews began removing sediment in summer 2026.

Valley Water crews removed about 810 cubic yards of sediment from Sierra Creek.

Valley Water manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County's 2 million residents. Valley Water effectively manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 280 acres of groundwater recharge ponds and 350 miles of waterways. We provide wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to homes and businesses in Santa Clara County.