F8: Sustainable Creek Infrastructure for Continued Public Safety*

Status

Active

Phase

Design

Location

Countywide

Schedule

Start FY 2022 / Finish FY 2036

Funding

Safe, Clean Water Fund ($7.5 million); Watershed Stream Stewardship Fund

This project supports Valley Water’s long-term efforts to ensure that existing flood protection infrastructure continues to function sustainably and provide the level of service originally intended. The project includes: (1) assessing and prioritizing existing creek and watershed infrastructure; (2) preparing watershed and/or creek asset management plans; and (3) implementing recommendations of asset management plans.

Undertaking this project provides for adaptive management of existing infrastructure, ensuring infrastructure continues to provide flood protection and public safety as climate and other changes evolve.

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

Regnart Creek Rehabilitation Project

In FY24, Valley Water selected the Regnart Creek Rehabilitation Project, located along Regnart Creek between Festival Drive to Bubb Road in Cupertino, for design and construction under Project F8.

The project will provide a long-term solution to ongoing creek erosion by reducing the risk of bank failures, protecting nearby homes and infrastructure, stabilizing the channel, and improving sediment flow to minimize future erosion.

A feasibility study, completed in January 2024, found that significant incision of the creek bed had destabilized the creek banks and trees, increasing risk to adjacent properties and infrastructure. To address these issues, the project will provide a nature-like channel that restores historic bed levels and stabilizes creek-side slopes. Opportunities to enhance riparian habitat will also be incorporated in the design where feasible.

Current Project Status

The project is currently in the design phase. Valley Water is conducting surveys for topographic, right-of-way, and tree information; hydraulic modeling; field investigations; and geotechnical evaluations.

Information gathered during these efforts will be used to prepare the project's 60% design, including engineering drawings and technical specifications. Completion of the 60% design is anticipated by August 2026.

Valley Water plans to host a public meeting in summer 2026 to update neighbors on the project and its current design.

Following completion of the 60% design, the Valley Water will continue advancing the design, prepare environmental documentation, and obtain permits from local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. The overall design phase is expected to take approximately three years to complete.

Project background

Regnart Creek begins in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains and flows through residential neighborhoods before joining Calabazas Creek.

During the winter storms of 2023, sections of the creek experienced significant erosion and bank instability. In response, Valley Water completed an emergency repair project in September 2023 between Bubb Road and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The emergency work stabilized the most critically eroded sections of the creek using large boulders.

While the emergency repairs addressed the most urgent and high-risk sections of the creek, they did not resolve the underlying causes of erosion along the creek. As a result, Valley Water initiated the Regnart Creek Rehabilitation Project to provide a long-term solution to the ongoing channel incision, bank erosion, and tree instability.

Regnart Creek is filled with trees and vegetation. These trees help stabilize and protect the banks, but they also pose a risk to the creek as they are increasingly on unstable, eroding banks. In some sections of the creek, the bank has eroded to the property lines of the surrounding homes. The rehabilitation project is being designed to integrate with the creek's natural landscape, resources, and landforms.

Completed F8 Milestones

Stevens Creek Asset Management Plan. Completed May 2024.
Regnart Creek Geomorphic Study. Initially completed February 2024; revised April 2024.
Initiated Watersheds Asset Management Plan Update in October 2023. Remaining work on the Watersheds Asset Management Plan Update will be carried out under Asset Management Program.
Initial strategic planning for a total of 19 creeks, to identify potential planning studies, asset management plans, infrastructure improvement projects, and/or to continue existing operations and maintenance management strategies. Completed August 2023.
Assessed and prioritized all Valley Water-owned creeks. Completed January 2022.
Developed a process for assessing, prioritizing, and identifying creek infrastructure improvement projects. Completed May 2021

June 2026

For more information:

Mohammad Hussaini, 408-630-2826

RegnartCk - Stormwater is eroding this section of the bank as it moves toward the neighboring property line — Stormwater is eroding this section of the bank as it moves toward the neighboring property line.

RegnartCk - The roots of this tree are exposed — The roots of this tree are exposed.

RegnartCk - A concrete wall was placed behind the neighboring property. The roots from the tree next to the wall are also exposed. — A concrete wall was placed behind the neighboring property. The roots from the tree next to the wall are also exposed.

RegnartCk - Stormwater has intruded into the bank, undermining the stability of this outfall. Outfalls carry stormwater from the street to the creek — Stormwater has intruded into the bank, undermining the stability of this outfall. Outfalls carry stormwater from the street to the creek.

Regnart Creek Rehabilitation Project

In FY24, Valley Water selected the Regnart Creek Rehabilitation Project, located along Regnart Creek between Festival Drive to Bubb Road in Cupertino, for design and construction under Project F8.

Current Project Status

Valley Water plans to host a public meeting in summer 2026 to update neighbors on the project and its current design.

Project background

Regnart Creek begins in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains and flows through residential neighborhoods before joining Calabazas Creek.

Completed F8 Milestones

Stevens Creek Asset Management Plan. Completed May 2024.
Regnart Creek Geomorphic Study. Initially completed February 2024; revised April 2024.
Initiated Watersheds Asset Management Plan Update in October 2023. Remaining work on the Watersheds Asset Management Plan Update will be carried out under Asset Management Program.
Initial strategic planning for a total of 19 creeks, to identify potential planning studies, asset management plans, infrastructure improvement projects, and/or to continue existing operations and maintenance management strategies. Completed August 2023.
Assessed and prioritized all Valley Water-owned creeks. Completed January 2022.
Developed a process for assessing, prioritizing, and identifying creek infrastructure improvement projects. Completed May 2021

June 2026

For more information:

Mohammad Hussaini, 408-630-2826

Draft Watersheds Operations & Maintenance and Asset Renewal Plan (FY24-28)

Regnart Creek Rehabilitation Design Study

Safe, Clean Water Program Documents

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

Provide up to $7.5 million in the first 15-year period to plan, design and construct projects identified through Watersheds asset management plans.

Benefits

Ensures that existing flood protection infrastructure continues to function sustainably and provide the level of service originally intended
Preserves and extends the life of flood protection infrastructure
Strengthens the reliability of flood protection infrastructure

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.

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.