Redwood Shores Sea Level Rise Protection Project
Presentation to Belmont City Council
01.27.2026
Presentation materials prepared in collaboration with:
Redwood City
Department of Engineering and Transportation
Schaaf & Wheeler Consulting Civil Engineers
CMG Landscape Architecture
Civic Edge Consulting, Community Engagement
ESA - Environmental Science Associates
ENGEO, Geotechnical Engineering
Flooded Bay Trail along Belmont Slough (2024)
California King Tides Project
Why has Redwood City started this project?
Land Use + Critical Infrastructure
What’s at risk
San Carlos Airport
SamTrans Bus
Depot
Sandpiper Community
Center & School
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Redwood Shores
Elementary School
and Daycare Center
Redwood LIFE Campus
Oracle
campus
Design Tech
High School
Commercial Hub
Redwood Shores
Branch Library
Redwood City Fire
Station
The Redwood Shores Levee Project will protect
private homes and assets as well as critical
infrastructure, public amenities, and economy
drivers.
This project is not just for Redwood Shores
residents – it has importance for the city and
region more broadly.
Preschool
Daycare Center
Daycare Center
Preschool
Redwood City’s Project Objectives
Multi-benefit approach to flood protection
The Redwood Shores Sea Level Rise Protection Project
will protect homes, schools, businesses, and critical
infrastructure by addressing flood risk identified by
FEMA and projected future sea level rise.
The project will also integrate opportunities for naturebased solutions where feasible along a raised and strengthened Redwood Shores levee, while enhancing
recreational amenities for the community.
Project Setting
Project Need
FEMA Requirements
The Redwood Shores levee
system does not meet current
requirements for FEMA
certification.
Without adaptation.
homeowners will be required
to purchase flood insurance in
the near future.
Project Need
Sea Level Rise and Future Coastal Flood Risk
By 2050, the many areas of the existing
levee will be overtopped during extreme
tide events. By 2100, overtopping may
happen daily.
Redwood City Council will Decide
How and when should we adapt?
TODAY 2100
PHASED APPROACH:
NEAR-TERM
Build to Elevation 13.5 now;
provides protection beyond
1ft of sea level rise.
PHASED APPROACH:
LONG-TERM
Raise levees and add walls to reach
elevation 16; provides protection
beyond 3ft of sea level rise. Timing
dependent on rate of sea level rise.
PROTECT FOR THE LONGTERM
Build to Elevation 16 now;
provides protection beyond
3ft of sea level rise.
Both approaches will require periodic monitoring to assess rate of sea level rise and potential subsidence. *Approximate project construction timeline.
Existing
Conditions
Levee elevations
between 10-12
2030-2035*
Future phase - raise levee to
Elevation 16.
Future phase adds flood wall – provides
protection to elevation 16.
Wall not to exceed 3.5ft in height.
Phased Approach
Build to elevation 13.5 now; future adaptation to elevation 16 Build near-term levee
to elevation 13.5
Build near-term levee
to elevation 13.5
Earthen Levee – where space and geotechnical considerations allow Hybrid Approach – includes walls in some areas as required by spatial and geotechnical constraints Earthen Levee – where space and geotechnical considerations allow Build Long-term Protection Now
Build to Elevation 16 in one phase
Build earthen levee to Elevation 16 now.
Provides long-term protection.
Build hybrid protection to Elevation 16 now.
Provides long-term protection.
Walls not to exceed 3.5ft in height.
Hybrid Approach – includes walls in some areas as required by spatial and geotechnical constraints Ecology
Design Goals and Considerations – Reflects Community
Feedback to Date
• Protect habitat and minimize construction
impacts.
• Improve habitat function via native planting on all
levee slopes.
• Identify opportunities to enhance native
ecologies within the marsh transition zone.
• Expand marsh habitat where feasible – explore
levee setback to create transition zones.
• Explore opportunities to improve inland habitat –
transition horticultural landscapes to native
planting.
Tidal marsh restoration – coordinate with
Redwood Life Project
Gravel Beach and
wetland at SVCW
northeast corner
Seasonal pond - partial
tidal marsh restoration
opportunity
Potential Ecological Measures
Opportunity areas for large scale
restoration or habitat expansion
The areas shown offer larger opportunities for
ecological enhancements, including tidal
marsh restoration and expansion.
The ecological suitability and technical
feasibility of these options will be assessed as
the project moves forward.
Radio Tower – partial
tidal marsh restoration
opportunity
Potential Ecological Measures
Shoreline areas with space for levee
setback
Creekside habitat
enhancements
Opportunties smaller
scale levee setback to
create pocket beaches
and/or transition zone
The areas shown offer more modest (but
still valuable) opportunities for ecological
enhancements.
Levee setback provides space for habitats to
transition over time as sea levels rise. Habitat
expansion can also improve ecosystem
connectivity, supporting sensitive tidal
wetland species.
• Provide improved trail amenities, including seating,
shade, and opportunities to connect to the Bay (getdowns and overlooks). • Maintain the natural character of the shoreline and
the visual connection between public shoreline and
the Bay.
• Identify opportunities to create new open space
destinations with a wider range of amenities at key
shoreline connection points.
Placemaking, Public Access, and Trail Amenities
Project Goals
Proposed Bay Trail Adaptation
Improvement and Extension
Proposed Bay Trail
extension
Proposed Bay Trail
extension
Bay Trail shifts inland at
Redwood Life Campus.
Existing trail to remain.
The project includes adaptation and
improvement of the existing trail and access
points as well as two new stretches of Bay
Trail.
The adapted Bay Trail will be located on the new
levee and will meet current Bay Trail design
standards for width, materiality, and
accessibility.
Mariner Park improvement
opportunity
Sandpiper shoreline –
larger park improvement
opportunity
Shore Dogs Park
improvement opportunity
Trail intersection –
gateway opportunity
Preserve Park – already
operates as a
neighborhood connector
Regional connection
opportunity
Adapt existing overlooks
Shoreline
access
opportunity
Library area: Educational or
interpretive opportunity
Opportunities for Open Space
Enhancement
Building on Existing Community Assets
AFO
Ongoing Design
Placemaking and Trail Amenities
Conceptual programing including spaced
amenity clusters for diverse local and regional
user groups.
Update
graphic
to
current
version
Belmont Slough Overtops Island Park Levee (2026)
25-year Tide
How does Belmont fit in?
Multi-Jurisdictional Cooperation
Redwood City needs Belmont
Belmont Creek levee to
prevent “end around”
Multi-Jurisdictional Cooperation
Redwood City can help Belmont
Belmont Creek levee to
prevent “end around”
Opportunity to add a relatively small reach of
protection for economies of scale. The Island
Park reach represents a small incremental lift for
Redwood City but would be a more difficult
project to complete on its own.
Would need to resolve cost sharing and longterm maintenance responsibilities.
Island Park protection could be
included with the larger project
Multi-Jurisdictional Cooperation
Redwood City can help Belmont
Opportunity to add a relatively small reach of
protection for economies of scale. The Island
Park reach represents a small incremental lift for
Redwood City but would be a more difficult
project to complete on its own.
Would need to resolve cost sharing and longterm maintenance responsibilities.
Multi-Jurisdictional Cooperation
Redwood City can help Belmont
Opportunity to add a relatively small reach of
protection for economies of scale. The Island
Park reach represents a small incremental lift for
Redwood City but would be a more difficult
project to complete on its own.
Would need to resolve cost sharing and longterm maintenance responsibilities.
Project improvements in Belmont would be
designed with input from Belmont residents.
Taking Advantage of an Opportunity
2025-2026
60% Design
2026-2027
Environmental
Review and
Permitting
2028-2030
Final Design
2030-2034
Construction
Community Engagement
Throughout
Taking Advantage of an Opportunity
2025-2026
60% Design
2026-2027
Environmental
Review and
Permitting
2028-2030
Final Design
2030-2034
Construction
Community Engagement
Throughout
Belmont “Catchup”
Thank you!