Corte Madera Creek Flood Risk Management Project

About

The goal of the project is to reduce the frequency and severity of flooding and to protect human life and property in the communities of Ross and Kentfield by enhancing and improving Corte Madera Creek.

The project will make improvements to the concrete channel that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) built in the 1960-70s. The concrete channel begins in the Town of Ross and ends at the earthen channel in Kentfield.

The project area starts upstream at Lagunitas Road in the Town of Ross and ends downstream at the earthen channel in Kentfield. The project area is divided into three units, based on the original USACE project units:

  • Unit 2
  • Unit 3
  • Unit 4

View the EIR maps of the Project elements within Units 2, 3 and 4. 

The proposed channel improvements provide increased 25-year flood protection to residents and businesses within the Town of Ross and Kentfield. They also improve fish passage and habitat.

The project includes these activities:

  • Remove a fish ladder and lower the channel within Unit 4 to remove an impediment to flood flow
  • Install taller and/or new floodwalls in Units 2 and 3 to control flood flows
  • Install a stormwater pump station to control flooding in the Granton Park neighborhood
  • Create larger fish resting pools within the concrete channel in Unit 3 to improve fish passage
  • Remove portions of the concrete channel from Stadium Way downstream to the natural earthen channel to improve fish and wildlife habitat

Timeline

  • August 17, 2021: Environmental impact report certified by the Marin County Board of Supervisors, with the Frederick Allen Park project component removed from the project.
  • Spring 2022 - Fall 2025: Project Construction
    • 2022-2023: Construction of new vehicular maintenance access ramp completed, with Granton Park stormwater pump station construction underway through early 2024.
    • Anticipated in 2025:
      • Improve fish resting pools along bottom of concrete channel.
      • Remove the Lower College of Marin concrete walls and restore wetlands.
      • Remove Unit 4- fish ladder and transition to natural earthen channel upstream.
      • Raise sections of existing Unit 3 concrete channel walls.
  • Ongoing:
    • Coordination with FEMA on assessments of hydraulic modeling. Related compliance with state and federal regulations that are applicable. 
    • Coordination with the Friends of Corte Madera Creek on the preparation and submission of multiple construction grant applications for the various components of the overall project.

Funding

The overall project cost estimate is approximately $18 million, which includes design, EIR, CEQA, permitting, real estate, project management, grant management, construction management, construction work, revegetation, and monitoring. Of the approximate $18 million, the construction phase alone is estimated at approximately $12 million.

Funding sources include:

  • Ross Valley Flood Control Zone 9 Storm Drainage Fee
  • California Department of Water Resources
  • State Coastal Conservancy
  • SF Bay Restoration Authority (Round 6) –managed by Coastal Conservancy 
  • County Sea Level Rise Funds from American Rescue Act 
  • US Fish & Wildlife Service National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant
  • Other future grant funding sources

Zone

Zone 9: Ross Valley

Agencies and partners

  • Marin County Flood Control & Water Conservation District
  • California Department of Water Resources
  • Town of Ross
  • Friends of Corte Madera Creek Watershed
  • College of Marin

Contact

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