Crucial flood control project receives injection of federal dollars

Final phase of Llagas Creek project will protect 1,100 homes, 500 businesses and 1,300 acres of ag farmland

By Calvin Nuttall

Valley Water’s plan to protect Morgan Hill and surrounding communities from a 100-year flood just received a major boost ahead of the project’s final phase.

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and the Natural Resources Conservation Service teamed up to provide $80 million in grants to Valley Water to fund completion of the Llagas Creek Flood Control Project, the agency announced Sept. 13.

“This is a long time in the making,” said Stephen Ferranti, capital engineering manager at Valley Water, during a Sept. 4 public meeting. “This project started in 1954. I started on the project in 2012, and it has been a long battle, a lot of obstacles. It took us seven years to get the regulatory permits. This is the longest flood protection project that Valley Water has ever done, it is almost 14 miles in length, so it is quite an undertaking.”

Once complete, the project will protect more than 1,100 homes, 500 businesses, and 1,300 acres of agricultural farmland, according to the agency.

“Morgan Hill is pervasively flooded, year after year,” said Melissa Moore, senior water resources specialist at Valley Water. “Even with small rain events, we do see localized flooding. It is a serious problem, and I am so pleased that we are able to address some of this with this project.”

The project was divided into three phases: Phase 1, which was completed in May 2020; Phase 2A, which is nearing completion; and Phase 2B, which is the final phase that will soon begin.

“This is another example of the collaboration and commitment to bringing flood protection to our community to our citizens and all those who live in South County,” said John Varela, director of Valley Water’s District 1, which includes Morgan Hill, San Martin, and parts of San Jose. “Valley Water thanks all the residents for their support and patience as construction ramps up.”

The project is set to take 2.5 years, concluding in March 2027. It will include clearing of vegetation in and along the waterway, widening and deepening of the creek itself, modifications of existing bridges, and the construction of maintenance roads and perimeter fencing.

“You’re going to see a lot of construction equipment, a lot of hauling of material off of the jobsite, and stockpiling of material,” Ferranti said. “Before we can haul off material, we have to actually test it and make sure that it is clean and reusable soil. Best management practices will be used for things like dust control and construction noise, traffic control, especially in downtown Morgan Hill.”

Once the construction phase is completed, the project will enter a three-year plant establishment phase, following the planting of more than 50,000 plants to help reestablish the waterway’s riparian ecosystem and mitigate the damage caused by construction.

“Post-construction, we’re going to restore all of the trails between Watsonville Road and Ciolino Avenue, and provide additional trails,” Ferranti said. “We typically have maintenance roads on both sides, there’s one section that does not have a trail on both sides, but for the most part, the whole section will end up having trials on both sides, along with additional trail amenities and educational signage.”

Residents who live along the waterway are encouraged to reach out to Valley Water with their questions or concerns as the project moves forward. Jose Villarreal, the agency’s Neighborhood Liaison, can be reached by phone at (408) 630-2879 or email at [email protected].

Calvin Nuttall is a Morgan Hill-based freelance reporter and columnist.