San Francisquito Creek
Joint Powers Authority
Reach 2 Project Status
Presentation to Palo Alto
City Council
September 8, 2025
What is The San Francisquito
Creek Joint Powers Authority?
Five Members
Created in 1999 to address
flooding impacting multiple
jurisdictions
Collaboratively plan, design, and
coordinate funding for flood risk
reduction projects
Completed Reach 1 Project at Friendship Bridge
Project Goals
Protect To What Level?
Up to the “Flood of Record” (~7,200 cubic
feet per second (cfs) or a 70-year event)
Protect How Many Properties?
~ 857 in Menlo Park
~ 1,252 in East Palo Alto
~ 2,943 in Palo Alto
Provide What Other Benefits?
Enhance creek habitat
Protect trees as much as possible
Add recreation opportunities
Modeled flooding extents at a 7,200 cfs storm, similar to the 1998 “Flood of Record” . Results are preliminary and uses a draft hydraulic model pending USACE certification.
Alternative 1
• Pope Chaucer Bridge replaced
• Widening (both banks) – 4600 LF
• Fixed floodwalls (average 1-3.5
feet high)
Alternative 2
• Pope Chaucer Bridge
replaced
• Widening (left bank only) –
2300 LF
• Fixed floodwalls (average 2-4
feet high)
Alternative 3
• Pope Chaucer Bridge
modification with culverts
• Widening (both banks) – 4600
LF
• Fixed floodwalls (average 1-3.5
feet high)
Alternative 4
• Pope Chaucer Bridge
modification with culverts
• Widening (left bank only) –
2300 LF
• Fixed floodwalls (average 2-4
feet high)
4 Summary of WRA Report Alternatives
Draft WRA Alternatives Evaluation Report – Project
Elements
• Channel Widening – “No Regrets”
• Remove natural and constructed pinch
points in the channel.
• Optimally widen where access and
rights-of-way make construction easier
• Add toe-of-bank log crib structures for
stabilization and habitat enhancement.
• Add floodwalls from upstream of
Pope-Chaucer Bridge to Highway 101
• Remove the existing Pope-Chaucer
Bridge and replace with an open-span
design.
Conceptual rendering of channel widening, floodwall, and walking trail near Cooley Ave and Woodland Ave
Draft Alternatives Evaluation Report – Key Findings
Key findings –
• No single evaluated action can
meet project goals
• Widening in key locations is
beneficial, but cannot reach
project goals alone
• Replacing the Pope-Chaucer
Bridge brings benefits and risks
• Middlefield Rd. Bridge is also a
problem area and will be added
to the project scope.
Picture of a concrete structure creating a pinch point that would be removed during channel widening
Current Project Activities
Additional Due
Diligence Studies:
• Bypass tunnel(s)
• Strategically located
permanent passive
flood barriers
• Resolve questions or
concerns about project
elements
Top: Stormwater conveyance tunnel
proposed in Harris County, TX
Bottom: Retractable flood barrier
• Phase 1 Actions – Design and permitting for
widening, replacing the wooden parapet
• Final Alternatives Evaluation Report
• Confirm draft evaluation using the USACE Existing
Conditions Model
• Conclude evaluations of potential creek bypass
and passive barrier actions
• Phase 2 Actions - Board selection of the suite
components of the Reach 2 project
• Develop a cost share principles and framework
• Move forward with design and engineering, additional
CEQA and permitting.
Anticipated Next Steps
8 Concrete terrace at Site 2
Temporary wooden parapet at University Ave
You can learn more about the SFCJPA and our projects on our website: www.sfcjpa.org SFCJPA Project Staff Contacts:
• Margaret Bruce, Executive Director: [email protected] • Tess Byler, Senior Project Manager: [email protected] • Denean Ni, Project Manager: [email protected]