Pajaro River flood project breaks ground as winter flood concerns loom
Over a year and a half after the Pajaro River levee burst, inundating nearly 300 homes in Monterey County with chocolate milk-colored water, flood agencies broke ground on Wednesday on a massive levee project to protect the river valley from future storms. … The nearly 14-mile levee project, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency, is expected to be finished early next decade. It will improve flood risk in Watsonville, Pajaro and surrounding agricultural areas. The agencies will construct and enhance levees along the lower Pajaro River and its tributaries. However, the agencies won’t begin on the groundwork in the area for several winters, and residents fear another flood could interrupt their lives.
Related news release:
- Gov. Gavin Newsom: Pajaro River flood protection project breaks ground