This project enables Valley Water to work with local municipalities to clearly delineate and communicate roles and responsibilities for floodplain management and flood emergency management. The resulting plans will also strengthen response capabilities for mutual assistance during other types of public health and safety emergencies or natural disasters. The project supports Valley Water’s countywide emergency response, preparedness and mitigation activities, develops communication processes and disseminates web-based flood forecasting information developed under Project F7: Emergency Response Upgrades. Valley Water will also assist collaborating agencies in developing formal, site-specific flood-fighting strategies and will coordinate outreach throughout the county so that the public receives uniform warning messages during a flood emergency.
See Environmental & Community Benefits section for complete description of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
KPI #1: (Coordinate with local municipalities)
- On November 10, 2022, Valley Water conducted a training exercise on a revised procedure and Joint Emergency Action Plan (JEAP) updates for deployment of Guadalupe River Flood Barriers. Participants and invitations included several departments from the City of San José (City), the Valley Transportation Agency, CALTRANS, and the California Highway Patrol.
- Worked with the City to address flood emergency issues related to unhoused encampments in the next JEAP update.
- Participated in a review and provided comments on the City of Palo Alto’s Emergency Action Plan for the Foothills Nature Preserve Dam.
- Valley Water continues to attend the monthly Santa Clara County Emergency Managers meetings, where staff engages with Emergency Managers from local municipalities and shares Valley Water’s current work activities, particularly those involving collaboration with local agencies.
KPI#2: (Flood Management Plans)
- Finalized approval by Valley Water CEO and City of San José City Manager of the JEAP to add Upper Penitencia Creek (July 2022). The updated JEAP can be found at: https://www.valleywater.org/flooding-safety/flood-emergency-action-plans.
- Completed the Lower Peninsula Watershed Emergency Action Plan (LPEAP) to add Palo Alto Flood Basin (July 2022). The LPEAP can be found at: https://www.valleywater.org/flooding-safety/flood-emergency-action-plans.
- Initiated preparation of Flood Management Plans for Berryessa Creek and Lower Penitencia Creek that will include an update to the JEAP.
KPI #3: (Drills and exercises)
- On November 10, 2022, Valley Water conducted a joint agency training session for the revised Guadalupe River Flood Barrier deployment procedure and Joint Emergency Action Plan updates. The updated procedure modifications to the Joint Emergency Action Plan and this training session stems from the lessons learned after a tabletop exercise of barrier deployment held on February 10, 2022.
KPI #4: (Effectiveness)
- The Guadalupe River Flood Barrier training session held on November 10, 2022 (see KPI #3) also served as a review of the Joint Emergency Action Plan specific to Guadalupe River.
March 2023
No current documents.
FY22-36 Key Performance Indicator for the Safe, Clean Water Program
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Coordinate with local municipalities to merge Valley Water-endorsed flood emergency processes with their own emergency response plans and processes.
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Complete five (5) flood management plans/procedures per 5-year period, selected by risk priorities.
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Train Valley Water staff and partner municipalities annually on disaster procedures via drills and exercises before testing the plans and procedures.
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Test flood management plans/procedures annually to ensure effectiveness.
Benefits
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Reduces flood damage
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Improves flood preparedness
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Provides effective coordinated response to disaster-related emergencies
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Improves community awareness about disaster-related risks
Geographic Area of Benefit
Countywide
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.