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2012 D4: Fish Habitat and Passage Improvement*

About This Project

>> Click Here for Further Information about the Almaden Lake Improvement Project >>

This project helps restore and maintain healthy steelhead trout populations by improving fish passage and habitat. Possible work sites include Alamitos Creek at Almaden Lake and Ogier Ponds in the Coyote watershed, where man-made creek alterations disrupt fish migration. The project also includes studies of steelhead streams throughout the county to determine where improvements are needed to support spawning, rearing and migration. Funding also pays for the development of a program to use large woody debris to create fish habitat.

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

Almaden Lake
Datapoints
Status
Adjusted
Location
Countywide
Schedule
Start FY 2014 / Finish FY 2023
Funding
Safe, Clean Water Fund ($50.2 million)
News and UpdatesNews and Updates
Reports and DocumentsReports and Documents
Environmental and Community BenefitsEnvironmental and Community Benefits
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
News & Updates

Key Performance Indicators for the Safe, Clean Water Program 

KPI #1: Complete planning and design for 2 creek/lake separations.

  • Site 1: Almaden Lake

    • Valley Water expects to bring the final Environmental Impact Report to the Board of Directors for certification on May 11, 2021. Click here to read the report.
    • Valley Water expects to complete 60% design in spring 2021.
  • Site 2: Ogier Ponds - A Memorandum of Agreement to begin the planning study is being finalized with the landowner, Santa Clara County Parks.

KPI #2: Construct 1 creek/lake separation project in partnership with local agencies. 

  • Currently 2 projects are in the planning phase and 1 will receive construction funding from the Safe, Clean Water Program. 

KPI #3: Use $6 million for fish passage improvements. 

  • 100% design and construction documents are estimated to be completed in late 2021. Construction of the Bolsa Road Fish Passage Project will be carried out under  Project D6: Creek Restoration and Stabilization.
  • The City of San José has completed a feasibility study related to the removal of the Singleton Road fish passage barrier. Valley Water is completing a cost share agreement with City of San José to provide funding support for City's effort to remove the Singleton Road crossing, install a flatcar bridge, and associated channel improvements. 

  • The Evelyn Bridge Fish Passage within Stevens Creek completed construction on November 21, 2015.

KPI #4: Conduct study of all major steelhead streams in the county to identify priority locations for installation of large wood debris and gravel as appropriate.  

  • The second phase of the study, which was approved by the Board on June 25, 2019, is well underway.  The consultant is developing recommended high-priority locations for future large woody debris and gravel augmentation (LWDGA) projects, using selection criteria based on biological, geomorphic and flood risk consideration as well as site visits, for recommended locations covering Llagas, Pacheco, Los Trancos, San Francisquito, and Calero Creeks and Pajaro River. 

KPI #5: Install large woody debris and/or gravel at a minimum of 5 sites (1 per each 5 major watersheds). 

  • In August 2019, Valley Water completed the construction work of the Los Gatos Creek Gravel Augmentation and Large Woody Debris Placement Project, located just downstream of Highway 17, one of the recommended priority locations from the Phase 1 Study. 

  • On June 23, 2020, the Board approved an amendment to the existing consultant agreement with AECOM for the second phase study of LWDGA to provide additional funding for AECOM to provide design and construction support for the implementation of LWDGA projects along Uvas Creek and other fish habitat improvement projects. AECOM has begun the design work for the projects along Uvas Creek and in March 2021, Valley Water submitted 30% design plans for review by  the City of Gilroy, the property owner, . Implementation is targeted for the summer of 2021, subject to timely permitting approval as well as availability of Valley Water construction crews. 

D4.5 LWDGA project locations along Uvas Creek, between Santa Teresa and Miller

 

Updated April 2021

For more information:

Creek/Lake Separations

Fish Passage Improvements

Large Woody Debris

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Environmental & Community Benefits

>> Information about the Almaden Lake Improvement Project >> 

Key Performance Indicators

  1. Complete planning and design for 2 creek/lake separations.

  2. Construct 1 creek/lake separation project in partnership with local agencies.

  3. Use $6 million for fish passage improvements.

  4. Conduct study of all major steelhead streams in the county to identify priority locations for installation of large woody debris and gravel as appropriate.

  5. Install large woody debris and/or gravel at a minimum of 5 sites (1 per each of 5 major watersheds).

Benefits

  • Improves spawning and rearing habitat within the Coyote, Guadalupe and other watersheds

  • Improves steelhead trout habitat

  • Helps provide required mitigation for environmental impacts of reservoir and recharge operations and for countywide Stream Maintenance Program

Geographic Area of Benefit

Countywide 

    History & Background

    >> Information about the Almaden Lake Improvement Project >> 

    About the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program

    In November 2012 the voters of Santa Clara County overwhelmingly approved Measure B, the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, as a countywide special parcel tax for 15 years with a sunset date of June 30, 2028. This Program replaced the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan, which voters approved in November 2000.

    The Safe, Clean Water Program was developed with input from more than 16,000 residents and stakeholders and was created to match the community’s needs and values. The voters of Santa Clara County identified five priorities:

    Priority A: Ensure a Safe, Reliable Water Supply

    Priority B: Reduce Toxins, Hazards and Contaminants in our Waterways

    Priority C: Protect our Water Supply from Earthquakes and Natural Disasters

    Priority D: Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Open Space

    Priority E: Provide Flood Protection to Homes, Businesses, Schools and Highways

    Other: Six projects from the Clean, Safe, Creeks Plan have been carried forward into the Safe, Clean Water Program.  

    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.

    In addition, the Program requires three independent audits, the first of which was conducted in FY 2017.

    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.