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2012 E1: Vegetation Control and Sediment Removal for Flood Protection*

About This Project

This project supports the Valley Water’s ongoing vegetation control and sediment removal activities that reduce flood risk by maintaining design conveyance capacity of flood protection projects. These activities also provide access for maintenance personnel and equipment. The project includes: controlling in-stream vegetation growth, removing sediment at appropriate intervals, removing hazardous trees, and performing weed abatement and pruning to provide access and establish firebreaks. Before carrying out in-stream maintenance, Valley Water personnel perform biological pre-construction surveys to minimize environmental impacts. Allocations for Project E1 also helps fund future maintenance of flood protection projects completed under the Safe, Clean Water program.

This project is comprised of 4 sub-projects that support the Valley Water’s ongoing vegetation control and sediment removal activities. Reference Appendix B in the 5-Year Implementation Plan for project descriptions. These sub-projects are:

  • E1.1 Vegetation Control for Capacity

  • E1.2 Sediment Removal for Capacity

  • E1.3 Maintenance of Newly Improved Creeks

  • E1.4 Vegetation Management for Access

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

Los Coches Creek
Datapoints
Status
On Target
Location
Countywide
Schedule
Start FY 2014 / Finish FY 2028
Funding
Safe, Clean Water Fund ($59.6 million); Watershed and Stream Stewardship Fund
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: Maintain 90% of improved channels at design capacity.

E1.1: Vegetation Control for Capacity
Completed 437.67 acres of in-stream vegetation management to reduce flood risk along 35 miles of streams throughout the county using an integrated combination of mechanical, hand labor and herbicide methods through FY21 Q3 (January 1, 2021 - March 31, 2021).

Los Gatos

Before In-Stream Vegetation Removal: 

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During In-Stream Vegetation Removal:

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After In-Stream Vegetation Removal:

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E1.2: Sediment Removal for Capacity
Sediment removal activities to maintain design capacity were conducted through FY21 Q2 (July 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020). No sediment was removed in Q3 due to regulatory restrictions. The total sediment removed during FY21 was approximately 55,878 cubic yards. The process of identifying projects for the next fiscal year began in FY21 Q2 with planning and design of the associated projects continuing in FY21 Q3 and FY21 Q4. Construction for the next work season will begin at the end of FY21 Q4.

Stevens Creek Looking Upstream from Crittenden Lane Bridge

Before Construction Condition
East low-flow channel (immediately adjacent to and to the left of the flowing creek) full of sediment and dense vegetation, reducing the creek’s flow conveyance capacity
After Construction Condition
Sediment and dense vegetation from the east low-flow channel removed, restoring the creek’s flow conveyance capacity

E1.3: Maintenance of Newly Improved Creeks

Completed 28.45 acres of in-stream vegetation management to reduce flood risk along streams throughout the county using an integrated combination of mechanical, hand labor and herbicide methods through FY21 Q2 (July 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020). No in-stream vegetation was removed in Q3 due to regulatory restrictions.

“Newly improved creeks” comprises flood protection capital improvement projects completed under the Safe, Clean Water (SCW) Program and includes flood protection capital improvement projects completed under the Clean, Safe Creeks Program and carried forward into SCW.

KPI #2: Provide vegetation management for 6,120 acres along levee and maintenance roads.

E1.4: Vegetation Management for Access
Completed 1583 acres of maintenance access work in all 5 watersheds through FY21 Q3 (January 1, 2021 - March 31, 2021). Of this total acreage, 15% of the completed work was funded by the Safe, Clean Water Program for a total of 237.45 acres. This acreage will go towards the annual target of 408 acres. To date, the project has completed 3347.59 acres toward the year 7 target of 2,856 acres. The 15-year deliverable for the project is 6,120 acres.

Updated April 2021

For more information:

E1.1: Vegetation Control

E1.2: Sediment Removal

E1.3: Maintenance of Newly Improved Creeks

E1.4: Vegetation Management

 

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Smith Creek Upstream of Granada Way

Before

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After

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Environmental & Community Benefits

Key Performance Indicators for the Safe, Clean Water Program

  1. Maintain 90% of improved channels at design capacity

  2. Provide vegetation management for 6,120 acres along levee and maintenance roads. 

Benefits

  • Ensures that existing flood protection projects continue to provide maximum flood protection

  • Provides safe access for maintenance of creek channels

  • Reduces fire risk along creeks and maintains compliance with fire codes

  • Improves water quality

Geographic Area of Benefit

Countywide 

    History & Background

    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.