Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 06/30/1999 All articles from this issue

Adobe Creek report submitted to county Board of Supervisors

printer friendly version

By Clyde Noel

Special to the Town Crier

The Adobe Creek Watershed Planning Study was presented to the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors on May 3. The county Board of Supervisors intends to place the report on its calendar and set a date for a public hearing.

The report is compiled from an engineer's report and a final environmental impact study. It details the background of flooding and construction in the watershed area and presents recommendations for future improvement work.

Background

The Adobe Creek watershed is 10 square miles. The creek flows for 14.7 miles within the city limits of Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. Most of Adobe Creek upstream of El Camino Real is privately owned with property lines extending to the center of the creek

Flooding in the watershed has been a threat in the area since 1889, with significant floods in 1955, 1983, 1986, 1995 and 1998. In an attempt to alleviate flooding problems, the lower portion of Adobe Creek - downstream from El Camino Real - was channelized in the 1950s.

Most of the upper portion of the creek upstream from El Camino Real is not channelized. This has led to problems of localized flooding, creek-bank erosion, sedimentation, and insufficient maintenance access.

Recommendations

The report proposes a capital improvement project for Adobe Creek upstream through Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. Recommendations include limited channel modifications, creek-bank erosion repairs, and a new maintenance program.

The proposed maintenance activities are for the entire watershed area and include restoration of the channel to design conditions, repair of channel facilities, and elimination of hazardous conditions.

Construction is scheduled over a four- to five-year period, beginning in 1999.

Budget

The proposed project is estimated to cost approximately 8.59 million. It is anticipated funding will come from continuation of existing revenues generated in the Northwest Zone, the District's allocation of the 1 percent property tax, and flood control benefit assessments.

A copy of the Adobe Creek Watershed Planning Study is available for review in the Town Crier newsroom.