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    The tide gate structure has been seismically retrofitted and rehabilitated, featuring deeper foundations to withstand extreme seismic events, new barrier fencing, and a newly resurfaced top.
    The tide gate structure has been seismically retrofitted and rehabilitated, featuring deeper foundations to withstand extreme seismic events, new barrier fencing, and a newly resurfaced top.
    May 5, 2026
    Palo Alto Tide Gate Project Reaches Key Milestone

    Valley Water has reached a major milestone in extending the life of an important flood protection system in Palo Alto. In February 2026, the agency completed Phase 1 of the Palo Alto Flood Basin Tide Gate Structure Seismic Retrofit and Rehabilitation Project. 

    Read More
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    A home with a wooden deck and balcony is surrounded by a vibrant, drought-tolerant garden filled with colorful flowers like orange poppies, purple blooms, and green shrubs, with a stone pathway leading to the front door and a large tree in the yard.
    April 28, 2026
    Bring Your Dream Yard to Life This Spring!

    Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to refresh your outdoor space. Imagine stepping outside to a yard that’s not only beautiful but also sustainable, a space filled with vibrant plants, smart irrigation, and features that save water and money. With Valley Water’s rebate programs, that dream yard is closer than you think!

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    A view of the tunnel entrance on the right, and the diversion outlet structure. The staged, 13-foot diameter pipe will be placed inside the tunnel and will connect to the diversion outlet structure. April 2026.
    A view of the tunnel entrance on the right, and the diversion outlet structure. The staged, 13-foot diameter pipe will be placed inside the tunnel and will connect to the diversion outlet structure. April 2026.
    April 27, 2026
    Anderson Dam Tunnel Project on track for completion in 2026

    The Anderson Dam Tunnel Project is entering its final stages, with Valley Water contractors completing key milestones such as the final concrete work inside the tunnel and installation of critical components. The project remains on track for completion in 2026.

    Read More
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  • Almaden Lake Improvement Project
  • Canal Maintenance Program
  • Lower Berryessa Creek Flood Protection
  • Lower Berryessa Creek Flood Protection (Phase 3)*
  • Upper Berryessa Creek Flood Protection*
  • Calabazas Creek Bank Rehabilitation Project
  • Calabazas/San Tomas Aquino Creek-Marsh Connection Project
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  • Permanente Creek Flood Protection*
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  • San Francisquito Creek Flood Protection*
  • Saratoga Creek Hazard Tree Removal and Restoration Project
  • Sediment Reuse to Support Shoreline Restoration*
  • Sunnyvale East and Sunnyvale West Channels Flood Protection*
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  • Vegetation Management for Access and Fire Safety*
  • Uvas Creek Levee Rehabilitation

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  3. Calabazas Creek Bank Rehabilitation Project

Calabazas Creek Bank Rehabilitation Project

Image
Erosion site along Calabazas Creek (June 2018)
Status
On Target
Phase
Completed
Location
Cupertino
Schedule
Completed Fall 2023
Funding
Watershed & Stream Stewardship Fund

Valley Water is committed to reducing the risk of flooding to homes, businesses, and schools and improving the environment by working along creeks across Santa Clara County. This work includes removing sediment build-up, managing vegetation, clearing trash and debris, and stabilizing banks that have eroded during high water flows.

As part of this commitment, Valley Water completed bank repairs and rehabilitation work in the City of Cupertino along Calabazas Creek between Miller Avenue and Bollinger Road. Under the Calabazas Creek Bank Rehabilitation Project, Valley Water repaired and stabilized damaged creek bank sections along portions of Calabazas Creek to their as-built or natural condition.

Map of Project Site and Calabazas Creek

Valley Water repairs and stabilizes the banks of Calabazas Creek
The work to repair and stabilize the banks of Calabazas Creek was completed in the fall of 2023, and the removal of invasive vegetation and planting of native plants along the creek from Bollinger Road to La Mar Drive was completed this October 2024. The contractor also placed large rocks at different sections along the creek.
Work to be completed: Nov. 2024 and Summer 2025
Work remains along certain sections of the creek. In mid to late November 2024, Valley Water will be on-site repairing and filling holes. In the summer of 2025, a contractor will return to repair three remaining erosion sites. Valley Water will notify neighbors of this work before the construction begins.
The completed project achieved the following:

  • Minimizes future bank failure and potential damage to nearby properties.
  • Minimizes impacts on water quality and riparian habitat associated with continued bank erosion.
  • Reduces the need for ongoing maintenance.
  • Maintains the existing level of flood protection.

October 2024

For more information:

  • Ted Ibarra, Project Manager, (408) 630-2067

  • Jose Villarreal, Neighborhood Liaison (408) 630-2879

  • Sign up to receive project updates via email

 

Storm water safely travels downstream along improved sections of Calabazas Creek.
Storm water safely travels downstream along improved sections of Calabazas Creek.
Map of Project Site and Calabazas Creek

Valley Water repairs and stabilizes the banks of Calabazas Creek
The work to repair and stabilize the banks of Calabazas Creek was completed in the fall of 2023, and the removal of invasive vegetation and planting of native plants along the creek from Bollinger Road to La Mar Drive was completed this October 2024. The contractor also placed large rocks at different sections along the creek.
Work to be completed: Nov. 2024 and Summer 2025
Work remains along certain sections of the creek. In mid to late November 2024, Valley Water will be on-site repairing and filling holes. In the summer of 2025, a contractor will return to repair three remaining erosion sites. Valley Water will notify neighbors of this work before the construction begins.
The completed project achieved the following:

  • Minimizes future bank failure and potential damage to nearby properties.
  • Minimizes impacts on water quality and riparian habitat associated with continued bank erosion.
  • Reduces the need for ongoing maintenance.
  • Maintains the existing level of flood protection.

October 2024

For more information:

  • Ted Ibarra, Project Manager, (408) 630-2067

  • Jose Villarreal, Neighborhood Liaison (408) 630-2879

  • Sign up to receive project updates via email

 

Storm water safely travels downstream along improved sections of Calabazas Creek.
Storm water safely travels downstream along improved sections of Calabazas Creek.

General Information

  • Work and Public Feedback Notice (September 2020)

Studies and Reports

  • Final CEQA Mitigated Negative Declaration (July 2021)
  • Confirmed Project Plans
  • Confirmed Specifications
  • CEQA Mitigated Negative Declaration Notice of Intent (September 2020)
  • Draft CEQA Mitigated Negative Declaration (September 2020)
  • Draft CEQA Mitigated Negative Declaration Appendices (September 2020)

Under the Calabazas Creek Bank Rehabilitation Project, Valley Water will repair and stabilize damaged creek bank sections along portions of Calabazas Creek to their as-built or natural condition. Specifically, the project would repair and stabilize eroding channel banks at ten locations along the creek through either the installation of rock riprap to reconstruct the bank or sheet pile walls. By doing this, this project will help:

  • Minimize future bank failure and potential damage to nearby properties.
  • Minimize impacts on water quality and riparian habitat associated with continued bank erosion.
  • Reduce the need for on-going maintenance.
  • Maintain the existing level of flood protection.

 

This portion of Calabazas Creek features steep banks and several areas with minimal distance between the top of the bank and residential fence lines, which makes it  vulnerable to bank erosion issues. In 2011, Valley Water completed construction on the Calabazas Creek Flood Protection Project along a 3.7 mile stretch of Calabazas Creek between Miller Avenue in Cupertino and Wardell Road in Saratoga. As part of that work, Valley Water repaired bank erosion along several sections of the creek that are also located within the current bank rehabilitation project area.

During recent inspections, Valley Water observed erosion, signs of bank failure and surfaces lacking cover from vegetation. Many of these issues were a result of the winter storms that occurred in late 2016 and early 2017. This project will fix these identified issues and their surrounding areas, which may include sites that overlap with the erosion repair sections previously identified in 2011.

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