Construction Begins On Marin County Creek Channel To Reduce Flooding

CORTE MADERA, CA — The next effort in a flood control project will be construction on the Corte Madera Creek channel starting Sept. 1.

Construction on the project is slated to begin this September. The Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District has recommended that the District's Board of Supervisors approve a $2.97 million construction contract during the public Board meeting on Tuesday, June 24.

The project aims to mitigate flooding and protect lives and property in Ross and Kentfield by modifying the Corte Madera Creek. This includes removing concrete for wetland restoration and sea level rise adaptation, adding a pump station and access ramp, improving fish pools, removing a wooden fish ladder, widening and grading the natural channel, stabilizing banks, and raising concrete channel walls to increase flow capacity during storms.

Channel improvements, expected by late 2026, will reduce flood risks from frequent rain events.

Work focuses on removing 1960s and 1970s concrete channel walls downstream of the Stadium Way pedestrian bridge behind the College of Marin campus in Kentfield. Removing walls and restoring wetlands will increase creek flow, improve wildlife habitat, and enhance the channel's ability to adapt to sea level rise.

Roughly $156,000 from a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant will be used for native plantings. This funding will support revegetation efforts once construction work is completed this fall.