E1: Coyote Creek Flood Protection*
This project is to plan, design and construct improvements along approximately nine (9) miles of Coyote Creek, between Montague Expressway and Tully Road, in San José. The primary objective is to provide protection from floods up to the level that occurred on February 21, 2017, equivalent to approximately a 5% flood (20-year event). In December 2019, the Valley Water Board of Directors voted to allocate local funding for construction of the preferred project; however, Valley Water is also exploring additional external funding sources and partnership opportunities.
Since 2017, Valley Water has implemented several short-term interim projects to help reduce the risk of flooding along Coyote Creek. These include the installation of an interim floodwall and embankment along the creek in the Rock Springs community. This structure protects the Rock Springs community from a flood event equivalent to the February 2017 flood. Other interim projects include repairing a 150-foot levee adjacent to the South Bay Mobile Home Park, installing flood gauges on bridges that provide real-time visual information on water levels and removing invasive vegetation from Valley Water and City property in parts of the creek that experienced the most flooding.
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The Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project comprises two projects: the Coyote Creek Flood Management Measures for the FERC Order Compliance Project (CCFMMP or Phase 1) and the Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project (CCFPP or Phase 2). These phases cover a 9-mile stretch of Coyote Creek between Montague Expressway and Tully Road. This area is divided into several geographic segments known as reaches, which are shown on the map to the right.
Phase 1 (CCFMMP) has been completed, and flood risk reduction measures have been constructed in the most vulnerable areas in reaches 5, 6, and 7.
Phase 2 (CCFPP) will implement the remaining flood risk reduction measures in reaches 4 through 8. Construction mobilization will begin in early September, with project completion anticipated by the end of 2028. Valley Water's Board of Directors voted to award the construction contract to Shimmick Construction Company. The project shell, which provides project information, is available for download.
Pre-construction Public Meeting Held
A pre-construction public meeting was held to provide details on the planned construction activities and the tentative park closure schedule (Rocksprings Park, Selam Olinder, and William Street park). A passive barrier model illustrating how it contains stormwater and prevents it from entering the neighborhood was also presented. The meeting recording and presentation are below, along with a link to the Get Flood Ready webpage, which provides information on how to plan ahead in the event of a flood or emergency.
Meeting Presentation
Meeting recording
Get Flood Ready
CreekWise Brochure
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Phase 2 Park closures for construction
There will be temporary park closures, with a tentative start date in November of 2026, to allow crews to begin constructing the flood risk reduction measures. The start of the closures will vary by park and could change as the construction schedule is planned. At Selma Olinder and William Street parks, floodwalls, berms, and passive barriers that lie flat on the ground and rise with stormwater will be built. These elements will form a wall to contain floodwater in the parks and away from the neighborhood. To see a video of how the passive barriers work, click on your preferred language:
- English: https://youtu.be/-Ai-ouT9EkM
- Spanish: https://youtu.be/RaiZeAjpGMk
- Vietnamese: https://youtu.be/38NnlKDLquo
We have developed a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to address the most frequently asked project-related questions and upcoming activities. The FAQ is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Click on your preferred language to view the FAQ. The dog parks at Selma Olinder Park and Watson Park will remain open during construction.
The following is a tentative park closure schedule:
- Rocksprings Park: November 2026 – December 2028
- Selma Olinder Park: November 2026 – December 2028
- William Street Park: November 2026 – December 2028
Project work will occur at the following parks without park closures:
- Watson Park: November 2026 – December 2028
- Kelley Park: November 2026 – December 2028
The trail at Selma Olinder Park, which runs from William Street to the south end near the dog park, will be temporarily closed when the park is closed. Trail users will be detoured onto Woodborough Drive to continue the trail North or South from this area.
The posted park closure dates are all tentative.
Handout from the July 8, 2026 public walk-and-learn meeting.
Phase 2 Construction Site-maps
The Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project (CCFPP) is in the Construction phase. The following maps show the locations and types of flood risk reduction measures to be built in each area of the project.
- Reach 4: Montague Expressway to E. Brokaw Road
- Reach 5: Oakland Road to Mabury Road
- Reach 6: Mabury Road to Santa Clara Street
- Reach 7: Santa Clara Street to Highway 280
- Reach 8: Highway 280 to Tully Road
Coyote Creek Flood Management Measures Project (CCFMMP or Phase 1) - COMPLETED
The construction of the flood risk reduction measures for the CCFMMP are in place, and a three-year plant establishment period remains. Below are maps and a summary of completed measures from Old Oakland Road to Highway 280.
Completed CCFMMP Flood Risk Reduction Measures
Reach 5: San Jose Municipal Golf Course to Mabury Rd and creek ownership map, reach 5.
Crews installed floodwalls along the west bank of Coyote Creek north and south of Berryessa Road and on a portion of Notting Hill Drive.
Reach 6: Mabury Rd. to U.S. Highway 101 and creek ownership map, reach 6
Crews installed floodwalls along the west bank of Coyote Creek north of Highway 101 and south of Mabury Road.
Reach 7: Santa Clara Street to South end of William Street Park and creek ownership map, reach 7
Crews installed floodwalls along the west bank of Coyote Creek north of East San Antonio Street and south of Santa Clara Street.
Coyote Creek Videos and Blog Post from Phase 1
Progress in action video of the completed CCFMMP work: click here. Visit Valley Water's News Blog to read about the community input received for the project. Workers installed metal pieces called sheet piles along Coyote Creek, using a press-in method that produces less noise than typical construction techniques. Click here to view a work video.
Past public meetings
Materials from past public meetings are located in the Reports & Documents section.
Are you Flood Ready?
Climate change has made extreme weather the new normal, and as the rainy season approaches, Valley Water encourages you to take some time to ensure you are ready in case of a flood. It’s important to remember that floods can happen anytime it rains.
It’s important to plan ahead in the event of a flood or any other emergency. Follow these Get Flood Ready essential flood tips to keep your family, home, and business safe and prepared BEFORE an emergency. You can also view our 2026 'Be Alert, Be Flood Safe' flipbook, which provides valuable flood safety and preparation information in four languages.
October 2026
For more information:
- CCFMMP (Phase 1) – Robert Yamane, (408) 630-2925
- CCFPP (Phase 2) – Caitlin McAlpine, (408) 630-2202 or Robert Yamane, (408) 630-2925
- Project Outreach: Jose Villarreal, (408) 630-2879
- Sign up to receive project updates via email.
