Authorized Projects under Study
There are four projects that have been authorized for which the CE has been conducting advanced planning and design studies prior to beginning construction.
Cottonwood Creek Project
The Cottonwood Creek Project includes two large reservoirs in Shasta and Tehama counties. This project will provide an added municipal and industrial water supply. The State of California will repay about 80% of the total cost of the project to conserve and store this water. The two reservoirs will store up to 1,600,000 AF of water and will inundate about 648 ha. (1,600 ac.) of riparian vegetation. The CE, after consulting with the FWS and the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), has developed plans to restore this riparian vegetation on other lands needed for the project. Lands are needed below the spillways for accommodation of floodwaters and below the dams for management of salmon. The 648 ha. of riparian vegetation would be restored on those lands. In addition, the CE has identified a site of about 1,215 ha. (3,000 ac.) below the dams for riparian vegetation improvement. This is an area of existing riparian vegetation which could be protected and improved to support migratory birds. The FWS has advised that they may recommend the area be purchased to support the migratory bird conservation program which they administer. The two areas together would ensure federal protection and management for about 1,862 ha. (4,600 ac.) of riparian vegetation.
Merced County Streams Project
The Merced County Streams Project includes two existing dams, two dams to be built, and 53 km. (33 mi.) of channel improvements to control flooding in urban and agricultural areas in Merced County. At this project there is a mixture of important vegetation for wildlife, including grasslands, wetlands, and riparian vegetation, that will be protected. In conjunction with the project work, protective easements will be acquired by Merced County on 1,134 ha. (2,800 ac.) of grassland, 61 ha. (150 ac.) of wetlands, and 81 ha. (200 ac.) of existing riparian vegetation. The riparian vegetation is located partially behind the two existing dams which temporarily store floodwaters and partially along the streams below the dams. The design of the flood channels includes protection and restoration of the riparian vegetation while still allowing passage of the floodwaters.
Morrison Creek Project
The Morrison Creek Project is located on the east and south sides of the city of Sacramento (Sacramento County). A small lake would be formed near Mather Air Force Base. About 306 km. (190 mi.) of channel improvements would be provided in the urbanized area south of the Sacramento Army Depot, including the communities of Florin Center and Elk Grove. At the terminus of the channels, near the Sacramento River, floodwaters would be temporarily stored in a 2,834 ha. (7,000 ac.) flood-retardation basin which is also authorized as a national wildlife refuge, to be managed by the FWS. There are about 20 ha. (50 ac.) of riparian vegetation which would be protected at the retardation basin and wildlife refuge; the remainder is wetland and grassland. Additional riparian vegetation improvement may be provided as plans for the small lake, channels, and retardation basin are developed.
Stockton Ship Channel Project
The Stockton Ship Channel Project is an authorized navigation project which will allow larger, fully loaded deep-draft ships to reach the Port of Stockton. The present channel depth is 9.1 m. (30 ft.) deep below mean lower low water. The channel will be deepened to 10.7 m. (35 ft.) to allow ships using the channel to be more fully loaded and not have to leave port only partly loaded as many do now. About 9.2 million cubic meters (12 million cubic yards) of material will be dredged from the channel and deposited at selected sites. Environmental studies have been made in an effort to minimize damage to wetlands and riparian systems along the channel. About 162 ha. (400 ac.) at two flooded islands will be filled with dredged material to create new wetlands and sites for riparian vegetation. About 24 ha. (60 ac.) of riparian vegetation is included in this plan. Since the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta area has a relatively small amount of riparian vegetation, this will be an important addition.