E3: Lower Berryessa Creek Flood Protection (Phase 3)*

Status

Scheduled to Start

Phase

N/A

Location

Milpitas

Schedule

Begin in FY2032

Funding

Safe, Clean Water Fund ($7.8 million)

This project is located in the City of Milpitas and includes Tularcitos Creek and Upper Calera Creek, which are two tributary creeks of Lower Berryessa Creek. Once constructed, this project will provide 1% (100-year event) flood protection to 1,100 parcels affected by Upper Calera Creek from the drop structure upstream of Arizona Avenue upstream to José Higuera Adobe Park, and to an estimated 320 parcels along Tularcitos Creek between its confluence with Berryessa Creek and Interstate 680. Additionally, this project will address inadequate maintenance access along all three creeks, which has made past maintenance more difficult, costly and time-consuming. Design for this project is slated to begin in 2032.

*This project was voter approved as part of the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program.

The project was scheduled to begin in FY32.

In FY26, the project was placed On Hold, with its funding deferred through FY46 in order to support the long-term financial sustainability of the Safe, Clean Water Program Fund.

Valley Water will reevaluate Program funding annually and, based on available resources, may prioritize advancing the project schedule.

For more information:

Jose Villarreal, public information, (408) 630-2879
Sign up to receive project updates via email.
Use Access Valley Water to submit questions, complaints or compliments.

The project was scheduled to begin in FY32.

In FY26, the project was placed On Hold, with its funding deferred through FY46 in order to support the long-term financial sustainability of the Safe, Clean Water Program Fund.

Valley Water will reevaluate Program funding annually and, based on available resources, may prioritize advancing the project schedule.

For more information:

Jose Villarreal, public information, (408) 630-2879
Sign up to receive project updates via email.
Use Access Valley Water to submit questions, complaints or compliments.

Lower Berryessa Creek Project, Planning Study Report dated November 2009.

Lower Berryessa Creek Program, Final Environmental Impact Report dated December 2011.

Safe, Clean Water Program Documents

FY22-36 Key Performance Indicator for the Safe, Clean Water Program

With local funding only: Complete the design phase of the 1% (100-year) flood protection project to protect an estimated 1,420 parcels.

Benefits

Provides 1% flood protection for an estimated 1,420 parcels along Upper Calera and Tularcitos creeks
Improves access for long-term channel maintenance for both creeks
Incorporates opportunities to integrate levees with the City of Milpitas trail system
Identifies opportunities for stream habitat enhancement and/or restoration
Addresses climate change as the project is designed to increase flow capacity, thereby reducing flood risks from storm events projected to become more frequent and intense due to climate change. Furthermore, the project accounts for 2 feet of sea level rise

The Lower Berryessa Creek Flood Protection Project extends approximately 1.7 miles through the city of Milpitas, from its confluence with Lower Penitencia Creek, south to Calaveras Boulevard. The project also includes about 2.1 miles of Calera and Tularcitos creeks. These two smaller creeks are tributaries to Berryessa Creek and must also be modified to prevent water from overflowing their banks. When complete, this project will protect vast portions of the City of Milpitas from flood events.

Phase 1 - Completed

This phase stretches along Lower Berryessa Creek, from the confluence at Lower Penitencia Creek to Abel Street. The construction of Phase 1 was completed in December 2016. On the east and north sides of the creek, the flood protection improvements included earthen levees. On the west and south sides of the creek, they included concrete floodwalls. Revegetation of freshwater wetlands was also established within the creek channel.

Completed floodwall and levee near Gill Memorial Park in Milpitas

Phase 2 - Lower Berryessa Creek (between Abel and Calaveras) completed Summer 2020. Lower Calera Creek to begin Summer 2021.

This phase has two segments. The first segment of Phase 2 is along Lower Berryessa Creek, stretching from Abel Street to Calaveras Boulevard. The flood protection improvements for this segment includes improved earthen levees on the north side of the creek and concrete floodwalls on the south side of the creek. A riparian habitat area was also included within the creek channel. Major construction activities were completed in 2018, but construction crews have returned this summer to perform levee remediation work. The second segment of Phase 2 is along Lower Calera Creek, stretching from the Lower Berryessa Creek confluence to Milpitas High School. The flood improvements for this segment include a raised U-frame channel and concrete floodwalls on both banks of the creek. In addition to these flood protection improvements, wetlands with native vegetation will be created within the Lower Calera Creek channel.

The flood protection improvements along Lower Berryessa Creek between Abel Street to Calaveras Boulevard were completed in July 2020. Construction on the Lower Calera Creek segment of the project, located between the VTA/BART rail crossing and about 800 feet upstream of Arizona Avenue, is expected to begin by May 2021 and proceed for two years through December 2022.

Typical cross-section of Phase 2 channel improvements (facing south)

Phase 3 - Planning

Phase 3 of this project stretches along Upper Calera Creek and Tularcitos Creek. The flood risk reduction options for this phase are currently being studied, and the potential funding sources are in the process of being identified. Once this planning phase is completed, Valley Water will obtain the necessary permitting from regulatory agencies before starting construction on Phase 3.

About the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program

In November 2020, voters in Santa Clara County overwhelmingly approved Measure S, a renewal of Valley Water’s Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program.

The program was first passed by voters in 2000 as the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan, then again in 2012 as the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program. The renewal of the Safe, Clean Water Program will continue to provide approximately $47 million annually for local projects that deliver safe, clean water, natural flood protection, and environmental stewardship to all the communities we serve in Santa Clara County.

While evaluating ways to improve the 2012 program, Valley Water gathered feedback from more than 21,000 community members. That helped Valley Water create the six priorities for the renewed Safe, Clean Water Program, which are:

Priority A: Ensure a Safe, Reliable Water Supply
Priority B: Reduce Toxins, Hazards and Contaminants in our Waterways
Priority C: Protect our Water Supply and Dams from Earthquakes and Other Natural Disasters
Priority D: Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Open Space
Priority E: Provide Flood Protection to Homes, Businesses, Schools, Streets and Highways
Priority F: Support Public Health and Public Safety for Our Community

Each year, Valley Water prepares a report providing a progress update for each of these program priorities, along with fiscal year accomplishments.

To ensure transparency and accountability to the voters, the ballot measure also created an Independent Monitoring Committee, appointed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors. The Independent Monitoring Committee annually reviews the program’s progress to ensure the outcomes are achieved in a cost-efficient manner and reports its findings to the Board. Additionally, the IMC also reviews each proposed 5-year implementation plan prior to its submittal for Board approval.

In addition, the program requires three independent audits.

View the Safe, Clean Water Program’s annual reports, annual IMC audit reports, and independent audits, including a staff response, on the Valley Water website.