PUB00131 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

mental groups, national taxpayer organizations and wildlife agencies over long-term impacts, caused further delays, Sacramento area flood leaders have twice selected a flood detention dam upstream of Folsom to protect the Sacramento area from flooding, Other proposals included a downstream plan involving Folsom Dam, reservoir modifications and down- stream levee improvements. However, Congress has rejected the dam, instead authorizing $44 million to fund the "common elements" of the alternative plans, which includes fixing down, stream levees. In 1998, Sacramento area officials were once again considering which flood control plan to forward to Congress for possible funding, In addition to Auburn Dam, the other options were to modify Folsom Dam's outlets so it can release more water earlier in a storm or to combine dam modifications with raising and strengthening down- stream levees. In southern California, a study was conducted on the adequacy of Los Angeles County's flood control, which is estimated to provide between 25 to 40 year level of protection. The report released in 1991 by the county Department of Public Works (DPW) incorporated input from local and environmental organizations to increase water conservation, environmental and recreation resources. Projects have been initiated to enhance wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, including the establish. "" ~;. _~7~.~ '1 - "",-_... ~ .. ...-,..... ment of a green belt along the river, which has been extensively channelized with concrete. There is an ongoing controversy between DPW and the Corps and environmental groups over how to increase flood protection along the Los Angeles and San Gabriel river systems, The public agencies are pushing for higher levee walls, whereas environmentalists advocate watershed management measures, including widespread concrete removal, dry wells, cisterns, mulching to increase the absorption of the compacted land along the river banks and tree planting. The concept of "greening" the banks with riparian vegetation is gaining support. Proponents of green- ing the river banks believe that concrete channels increase downstream flooding. Concrete channels and small tributaries to the river route the runoff into the main riverbed simultaneously. Advocates of greening are encouraging water managers to look at the desirability of allowing runoff to flow more slowly along natural, ragged banks, and by trapping it in basins so it can percolate and restore ground- water supplies. Other future flood control projects statewide include a flood containment and environmental restoration of Redwood Creek in Humboldt County; an increase in the channel capacity of the Guadalupe River to increase protection for the city of San Jose; and possible improvements for flood control in the Whitewater River Basin near Palm Springs, Fulsom Dam releas;"x j/ood j/ows, ~ 0::0 ~... ~" '.~ ..... .0:: ~.. ~ ,." ~~r:"l ~ ,.. ~oor. -, ,J. ~ .... .~ r ~