Flood Risk Reduction

Increasing Adaptive Capacity for Fluvial Flooding, Sea Level Rise, and Storm Surge:

This Adaptation Strategy implements a complementary suite of the region’s highest priority nature- based flood risk reduction projects. The projects will re-establish lost hydrologic accommodation space and improve the condition and function of coastal, estuarine, and riparian habitats that moderate extreme flood flows. Benefits accrue to some of the most marginalized communities in the state, including Watsonville, Pajaro, Castroville, and others. To reduce flood risk across the region, our proposal includes: three restoration projects on the San Lorenzo River near downtown Santa Cruz totaling more than 10 acres, and including protection of beach access; three restoration projects on the Pajaro River totaling 110 acres with 2.1 miles of estuary shoreline, reducing flood risk for disadvantaged communities and agriculture; one 35-acre marsh restoration and planning for 200 additional acres at Elkhorn Slough to protect critical transportation infrastructure and public access; three restoration projects on the Salinas River to improve hydrologic connectivity and increase resiliency of flood control systems, protecting valuable farmland and the town of Castroville; one major floodplain restoration project on the Carmel River; and four living shoreline projects that will build, stabilize, and restore more than 10 acres of coastal dunes for resilience to storm surge and protection of inland communities.