The Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District conducts regular maintenance activities throughout the year in each of the diverse Flood Control Zones in Marin. The various forms of maintenance work, whether it is for flood mitigation infrastructure or targeted vegetation control, is a critical part of flood risk reduction for each respective community.
In Flood Zone 7, which covers a portion of Santa Venetia, preventive maintenance at all pump stations takes place every year and includes the inspection, testing, and as needed replacement of electrical and mechanical components. Additionally, individual pumps and motors are typically removed and serviced for major preventive maintenance on a six-year interval at each of the Zone’s five stations. The back-up pump at Pump Station No. 3 was removed for service, repair, and refurbishment in June. It was reinstalled on September 12th. Additionally, all five pump stations will have a new alert system installed for this winter season, allowing maintenance staff to monitor them remotely.
The inner levee at the Open Space preserve was mowed in the spring. Rodent control and filling of burrows was complete in the summer and a second phase will be completed in September as well as filling some of the dips along the top of the levee. Conditions of the levee are continually inspected throughout the winter during storms and/or high tides, when seepage is most evident.
Vegetation in the ditch between Birch and Mabry will be trimmed in early fall to increase flow capacity. The ditch’s banks were mowed in the spring for fire fuel reduction. A section of Castro Ditch will be cleared of debris and low or downed branches will be trimmed or removed. In the beginning of October, aquatic vegetation in Estancia Ditch will be removed to improve flow to Pump Station #5.
In addition to these pre-winter activities, District maintenance crews check the trash racks and pump stations before, during, and after storms.
Flood District staff will be posting maintenance updates to the Santa Venetia Neighborhood via Next Door in fall. For questions email Marin County Flood Control District.
Top 5 ways to protect yourself and your property:
- Don’t rake leaves into the street, please use your green container. Leaves and yard debris left in the street will clog street drains and cause localized flooding.
- Clean out the drainage structures on your property, such as rain gutters and drain grates. Do this in advance of a storm and in a safe manner, don’t wait for the rain to start falling.
- Register with Alert Marin to received urgent news and notifications during emergency situations. Resources: https://www.marinsheriff.org/services/emergency-services/alert-marin
- Stay informed by listening/watching local news from reliable news sources.
- Have an emergency “Go Bag” ready at all times, so that you can be prepared to evacuate quickly and safely. This should include knowing your potential evacuation routes. Resources: https://firesafemarin.org/prepare-yourself/