Santa Cruz to Begin Annual Required River Maintenance

From the City of Santa Cruz:

The City of Santa Cruz is scheduled to begin its annual required San Lorenzo River Maintenance Project on Monday, Aug. 8, in order to help flood conveyance. Work is expected to continue weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for approximately four weeks. There will be minimal impact to vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

The routine maintenance activities associated with the flood control channel of the San Lorenzo River include annual evaluation of the need for a low flow channel; sediment disking in channel gravel bars and at the toe of the levee slope; vegetation maintenance and removal; and storm drain maintenance and clean out. Without this maintenance, the flood protection of this system is significantly reduced.

This annual maintenance of the river is governed by very specific permit requirements from the California Fish and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These requirements include a biological survey of the area and avoidance of identified bird nests. A biological monitor will remain onsite throughout the duration of the project.

The City of Santa Cruz maintains the flood control channel under an operations and maintenance agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Questions or concerns may be addressed to Project Manager Siobahn O’Neill at (831) 420-5559 or soneill@cityofsantacruz.com.

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