Since September 8, a crew from Valley Water has been working near the South Abel Street and Great Mall Parkway intersection to repair the creek bank along Lower Penitencia Creek.
This project is part of Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Stream Maintenance Program (SMP). With the aim of reducing flood risk and improving the environment, the program is undertaken annually throughout the Santa Clara County region.
Along the Lower Penitencia Creek, approximately 1,200 feet of creek bank is being worked on from Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8am and 5pm.
“Damage from rodents has eroded and destabilized the creek bank,” shared Devin Mody, Engineering Manager in the Watersheds O&M Engineering Support Unit. “The repair work entails bringing in additional soil material, compacting the material on the creek bank, placing metal fence fabric on the bank to deter further rodent damage, and hydroseeding to foster grass growth to stabilize the creek bank. The project will also help restore maintenance access for routine creek inspections.”
In order for the crew to conduct their work effectively, it’s necessary for the site to be dry. So pumps have been installed to temporarily dry out the creek channel; fish relocation from the area was also necessary.
“We encourage the public to call in during the year and report any obstructions to the rivers or creeks, so we can remove them in an attempt to prevent flooding,” said Richard Santos, Valley Water Director from District 3. “We continue to support flood and environmental protection. With the numerous grass and tree fires, there will be much water and mud erosion runoff into our rivers and creeks. And we must be prepared.”
Valley Water anticipates that they will complete the work on October 15, 2020. However, should any delays occur, the project may continue into the end of October or November.
