About the project
The Sunnyvale East and West Channels were constructed in the 1960s in response to flooding caused by a combination of major storm events, land subsidence and inadequate drainage to the Bay.
Since construction, the channels have experienced flooding during major storm events in 1963, 1968, 1983, 1986 and 1998.
Flooding can result in millions of dollars in damages to homes, businesses and schools. In addition, disruption to businesses and transportation networks can result in significant loss of productivity and revenue. The goal of the project is to provide protection to proper
ty, avoid transportation shutdowns and prevent potential damages that could exceed $44 million (2009 value) per flood event.
Sunnyvale East and West Channels
Inside:
• Protecting people and
properties
• Additional project benefits
• Design process
• Looking ahead
• Your Clean, Safe Creeks vote
at work
• By the numbers
Flood Protection Project
Attachment 2
Sunnyvale East and West Channels flood protection project Protecting people and
their properties
Each winter, thousands of households,
businesses and schools in Sunnyvale are
susceptible to flooding from Sunnyvale East and
West channels during a major storm.
Once completed, this project will protect
1,618 homes and 47 acres of highly valuable
industrial and government lands from the 100-
year riverine flood, saving potential flood
damages in excess of $44 million.
Moffet Field
101
237
280 Flood prone
areas
Caribbean Dr
Mathilda Ave
Ross Dr
Almanor Ave
Maude Ave
Sunnyvale East Channel
El Camino Real
Fremont Ave
UPRR
Inverness Way
Homestead Rd
Cupertino
Santa
Clara
Sunnyvale
Guadalupe Slough
Sunnyvale Saratoga Rd
Central Expy
Lawrence Expressway
Fair Oaks
Park
Braly Park
& School
City of Sunnyvale
Community Center
Twin Creeks
Sports Center
Ortega
Park
Pond A4
Braly
School
San Miguel
Elementary
Sunnyvale W
est Channel
N
Sunnyvale West Channel is approximately three miles long and stretches from Maude Avenue to Guadalupe Slough. Sunnyvale East Channel is approximately six miles long and stretches from Interstate 280 to Guadalupe Slough.
Flood prone
areas
Sunnyvale East Channel
In addition to providing riverine flood
protection, this project will:
• Improve water quality by implementing
erosion control measures to decrease
sediment and turbidity in the channels;
• Provide for recreation opportunities by
accommodating the City of Sunnyvale's trail
plan; and
• Revise the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) flood hazard maps (upon
completion of the project) to reflect 100-
year riverine flood protection along the
improved channels, which could eliminate the
requirements for flood insurance in areas of
this community.
Additional project benefits
riv·er·ine (riv-uh-rahyn, -reen) adj.
1. Relating to or resembling a river.
2. Located on or inhabiting the banks of a
river; riparian. Riverine flood protection
applies to flooding from a river or channel, as
opposed to tidal flooding from a bay or ocean.
Attachment 2
Sunnyvale East Channel at Caribbean Drive, December 2012.
The Sunnyvale East and West Channels flood
protection project offers a tremendous opportunity to
improve riverine flood protection, create recreational
opportunities and enhance the environment. The water
district will continue to work with the communities and cities to provide critical flood protection.
Looking ahead
Project schedule
The Santa Clara Valley Water District has completed
the planning phase and the design phase will be
complete in spring 2015. Construction is scheduled to
begin in January 2016, dependent upon the issuance
of regulatory permits.
To date, the water district has:
• Conducted a design level geotechnical investigation
in 2011
• Collected additional survey data in key areas
• Updated hydraulic models with refined design elements • Refined erosion protection and floodwall design
• Completed structural design for floodwalls and
new culver
ts at Carl Road (Sunnyvale West) and
Caribbean Drive (Sunnyvale East)
• Conducted meetings with key stakeholders and public
• Completed 90 percent design submittal of the
contract documents in December 2013
• Completed the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Draft Environmental Impact Repor
t (EIR)
• Released Draft EIR for public review in November 2013 • Final EIR certified on September 9, 2014
2007 08 17 1816 15 14 13 12 11 10 09
design
construction
calendar years
planning
Periodic community
meetings and
project updates
acquire
permits
PROJECT SCHEDULE
Erosion along the Sunnyvale East Channel
Sunnyvale West Channel
Attachment 2
You’re in a watershed
No matter where
you are, you’re in
a watershed. A
watershed is the
area of land that
drains to a common
waterway. In Santa
Clara County, our creeks
catch rain and runoff from storm
drains and carry the water north
to San Francisco Bay or south to
Monterey Bay. Along the way, some of the water is
used to fill reservoirs for drinking water, replenish
the underground aquifer and create better habitat
for fish and wildlife.
This project is in the West Valley Watershed,
an 85-square-mile area of multiple small-creek
watersheds. Characterized by the contrast between
its channelized creeks on the valley floor and its
more natural streams in the hillsides, this watershed
is the county’s smallest.
Lower
Peninsula
Watersheds
Coyote
Watershed
Uvas/Llagas
Watersheds
Guadalupe
Watershed
Drains to
Alameda County
West
Valley
Watersheds
1. Bridge at Sunnyvale East
Channel
2. Flooding from Sunnyvale East
3. White Egret on Sunnyvale East
Channel
4. Sunnyvale W est Channel
On the cover:
1 2 43
Your vote at work
The Sunnyvale East and West Channels flood
protection project was originally funded by the
countywide Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural
Flood Protection Plan parcel tax passed by
voters in November 2000. In November 2012,
the project was transitioned to the Safe, Clean
Water and Natural Flood Protection Program.
The project is estimated to cost $68.3 million to
plan, design and construct.
By the numbers
• 9.5 mile Sunnyvale East and West Channels
will be updated to provide
100-year
riverine flood protection.
• 1,618 homes will be protected and be
removed from the FEMA flood hazard maps
and eliminate the requirements for flood
insurance.
• 47 acres of industrial and government
lands will be protected, including the former
Onizuka Air Force Base satellite tracking
station.
• $44 million in potential flood damages will
be saved.
© 2015 Santa Clara Valley Water District • 04/2015 • PUB 903.3
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Get project updates
For more information:
• Contact Kristen Yasukawa, public information representative kyasukawa@valleywater
.org, (408) 630-2876
• Visit www.valleywater.org/service/SunnyvaleEastandWest.aspx • Use our Access Valley Water customer request and information system.
W
ith three easy steps, you can use this service to find out the latest information on the project or to submit questions, complaints or compliments directly to a water district staff person.
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Attachment 2