Flood Protection and Watershed Program
The flooding that occurred in the Ross Valley Watershed on New Year’s eve, 2005, spurred a strong commitment by the County and all of the cities and communities in the watershed to work together to confront and solve the conditions that led to flooding.
This is a total watershed program. The Flood Control District is contracting for a feasibility study to determine if detention basins can be used to reduce flood flows, done in a way that protect the environment and wildlife habitat.
All Ross Valley Cities are working together. Mayors and City staffs are working with the County and local community and environmental organizations to develop the best solutions in each area.
Solutions Framework
The Ross Valley Watershed Solutions Framework (pdf, 160k) structures immediate, mid-term and long-term projects to achieve flood protection and creek restoration goals, as well as eventually achieving reductions in flood insurance rates - creating significant financial savings for our community. Communities across the country receive up to 45% reductions for NFIP flood insurance rates, including the Town of Corte Madera, City of Novato, City and County of Napa.
The NFIP Community Rating System (CRS) Framework can help to guide us through:
- Flood preparedness, including warning systems
- Flood damage prevention and reduction
- Mapping and land use regulation, including open space preservation
- Public information
Flood Protection
Flood protection projects will balance structural solutions to control water flow with non-structural management solutions and using native plants to enhance bank stabilization efforts. The County—with community input—will develop a watershed-wide approach that respects natural creeks.
Creek Restoration
Residents of Ross Valley value the aesthetics of a shaded creekside (riparian) forest corridor and regret its loss in areas where a concrete channel, commercial buildings and other private structures have replaced trees and scenic spaces.
The Flood Protection & Watershed Program will produce new guidelines to protect natural spaces, and will suggest planting sites for new riparian vegetation.
The Program will make permanent improvements to fish passage and aquatic habitat - restoring vegetative cover and resting pools, vital to survival for native Chinook salmon and steelhead.
The Program will also identify areas to create features such as pocket parks, creek overlooks or areas with interpretive signage.
The FIP Framework
The County structured this Program using the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) Framework. The CRS framework has contributed to successful flood protection and reductions of up to 45 % for FIP flood insurance rates for the City and County of Napa, Colorado Springs and Kings County, Washington.
It provides a model for guiding communities through:
- Flood preparedness, including warning systems
- Flood damage prevention and reduction
- Mapping and land use regulation, including open space preservation
- Public information
In addition, the Ross Valley Watershed Program includes terrestrial and aquatic habitat restoration and possibly creating river parkway pocket parks that can provide both flood attenuation and passive recreation opportunities, on property acquired from willing sellers along the creek system.
A community that fully participates in CRS can also reduce flood insurance rates by up to 45%.
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