DISCUSSION
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: October 21, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Lynn Merrill, Director of Public Works
Department: Public Works
Subject: Presentation for Meyers Creek Drainage Study Report Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California:
1. Direct City staff to develop a capital improvement program project based on Alternative 1 of the Meyers Creek Drainage Study Report.
Or alternatively,
2. Direct City staff to develop a capital improvement program project based on Alternative 2 of the Meyers Creek Drainage Study Report.
City Manager's Comments
Report (PDR) for the Meyers Creek Drainage Study has been completed. Two Alternatives have been identified in the report as potential solutions to the various operational challenges that are present Meyers Creek. The report has evaluated various elements within the two alternatives such as the estimated construction cost, right-of-way needs, environmental impacts, mitigation requirements, permitting timeline, traffic impacts, operations and maintenance impacts, utility conflicts, and agency coordination.
Background
The City of San Bernardino initiated the Meyers Creek Drainage Study to address recurring flooding, sediment deposition, and drainage deficiencies affecting the Meyers Creek corridor near Meyers Road, Belmont Avenue, and Little League Drive. Recent residential development within the watershed has increased the frequency and volume of stormwater runoff entering Meyers Creek.
At the same time, the existing drainage system has experienced repeated maintenance challenges associated with sediment-laden flows. Significant sediment deposition partially or completely clogged portions of the Meyers Road storm drain system during major storm events in 2006 and 2010, resulting in emergency maintenance activities and ongoing concerns regarding public safety, roadway overtopping, and downstream flooding. The study was undertaken to identify a long-term solution that would improve flood protection, reduce sediment impacts, and provide a reliable drainage system for the surrounding community.
Funding for this study was allocated from the Storm Drain Construction Fund in the amount of $315,319.
Discussion
Q3 Consulting completed a comprehensive hydrologic, hydraulic, sediment transport, environmental, and constructability assessment of the approximately 811-acre Meyers Creek watershed. The study found that the existing culverts at Meyers Road and Belmont Avenue are undersized and represent significant hydraulic bottlenecks during major storm events. Hydraulic modeling demonstrated that floodwaters overtop these crossings and spread into adjacent streets and developed areas. The analysis also confirmed that Meyers Creek transports substantial quantities of sediment from the steep upstream watershed. Without improvements, flooding, sediment deposition, and emergency maintenance activities are expected to continue. Two conceptual alternatives were developed and evaluated.
Alternative 1 (Storm Drain) consists of constructing a backbone storm drain system within existing roadway corridors to capture overtopping floodwaters at Meyers Road and Belmont Avenue and convey flows underground to Cable Creek. This option minimizes property acquisition and environmental impacts but relies on extensive underground infrastructure and provides limited benefits for long-term sediment management.
Alternative 2 (Improved Channel) consists of constructing the ultimate Meyers Creek flood control facility consistent with the San Bernardino County Flood Control District’s Comprehensive Storm Drain Plan. The project includes an inline debris basin upstream of Meyers Road (29.9-acre foot), a concrete-lined channel, replacement of undersized roadway crossings, maintenance access roads, and associated flood control improvements. This alternative provides both flood conveyance and sediment management benefits while creating a regional facility capable of accommodating future watershed conditions.
The Improved Channel Alternative was identified as the preferred solution. While the construction cost for Alternative 2 is significantly higher, the Improved Channel Alternative would qualify for dedication to the San Bernardino County Flood Control District. Long-term operation and maintenance would not fall under the City’s responsibility. In addition, the project may present multiple benefits beyond flood mitigation, which favors multi-agency partnerships and grant funding opportunities.
Prior to the completion of the study, a meeting was held between San Bernardino County Flood Control District, City of San Bernardino, and Q3 Consulting. Comments from the County were incorporated into the alternatives where applicable. Of the two options, Alternative 2 was considered significantly more desirable by the County and could open the opportunity for a cost-sharing agreement and grant funding opportunities. Funding can be further discussed by the City and County if Alternative 2 is pursued by the City with the assistance of the County’s Planning Division.
Alternative Comparison Table
Category Alternative 1 – Backbone Storm
Drain
Alternative 2 – Improved Channel
Drainage
Approach
Subsurface RCB with drop inlets
and laterals
Engineered concrete-lined open
channel with upstream 29.9 acrefeet debris basin
Conveyance
Capacity
100-year flows intercepted via
storm drain
100-year flows fully contained
within channel
Construction
Cost
~$25.0 million ~$64.1 million
Right-of-Way
Needs
Minimal (mostly within City ROW;
minor easements at outlets)
Significant (11 parcels, ~7.9 acres
of acquisition)
Environmental
Impacts
Limited (mostly within disturbed
ROW)
Higher (riparian/streambed
impacts, SBKR habitat)
Mitigation
Requirements
Outlet to Cable Creek may require
1600/401 agreements
Full stream alteration mitigation +
SBKR consultation
Permitting
Timeline
12–18 months 18–36 months (longer if SBKR
consultation required)
Constructability Trenching in roadways; staged
closures; utility conflicts
Major grading; full road closures;
culvert replacement
Traffic Impacts Moderate (intersection closures,
detours)
High (full closures at Meyers &
Belmont Roads)
O&M
Responsibility
City of San Bernardino County Flood Control District (postdedication) Annual O&M
Cost
~$30,000 ~$147,000
Utility Conflicts Conflicts with sewer, gas, water,
telecom lines
Full utility relocation at two
crossings
Agency
Coordination
City + CDFW/RWQCB/SWRCB +
District
City + CDFW/RWQCB + potential
USFWS (SBKR) + District
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
This project is consistent with Key Target No. 1e: “Improved Operational & Financial Capacity – Minimize risk and litigation exposure. Approval of this drainage study will result in public improvements being constructed that minimize risk and litigation exposure through upgrading the existing drainage system.
Fiscal Impact
There is no impact to General Fund for this action. Funding for the study was provided from a previous allocation from the Storm Drain Construction Fund.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California:
1. Direct City staff to develop a capital improvement program project based on Alternative 1 of the Meyers Creek Drainage Study Report.
Or alternatively,
2. Direct City staff to develop a capital improvement program project based on Alternative 2 of the Meyers Creek Drainage Study Report.
Attachments
Attachment 1 Presentation – Meyers Creek Drainage Study Attachment 2 Preliminary Design Report – Meyers Creek Drainage Study Ward:
Fifth Ward
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
February 5, 2025 Approve Amendment No. 1 to Professional Services Agreement for Focused Drainage Study for Meyers Creek
Drainage System
January 18, 2023 Award of Professional Services Agreement for Focused Drainage Study for Meyers Creek Drainage Study
CC
Eric Levitt, City Manager