Flood Protection Fact Sheet
Issue
Sutter County is protected from flooding by over 200 linear miles
of levees. Approximately 70 miles of the levees that protect Yuba
City and Live Oak from flooding have been improved but do not meet
new, higher federal standards. Today, levees not only need to be
high enough to hold anticipated water surface elevations relating to
1% probable storm events, but also have to be structurally sound
enough to prevent or withstand through-seepage, under-seepage and
rotational failures.
Evaluation
Core sampling of the levees took place during 2006 and 2007 to
identify levee reaches at risk. Evaluations using the sampling data
are being used to help plan levee improvement projects.
Standards
FEMA requires that levee systems protect against the "100-year-flood"
standard, meaning the levees would be strong enough to withstand a flood
with a 1% chance of occurring in any one year. The State of California,
Sutter County and Yuba City have set a goal of having levees to protect
against a "200-year-flood" (0.5% chance of occurrence).
Historical perspective
Sutter County experienced major flooding 15 times during the 20th Century.
Most recent levee breaks occurred in 1955 at Yuba City and Nicolaus; in
1986 at Linda and Olivehurst (both Yuba County); and in 1997 at Meridian
and Arboga (Yuba County). Yuba City evacuated more than 24,000 residents
prior to the 1997 event.
Responsibility
The Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB) owns and oversees all
"project levees" developed as part of the federally-funded Sacramento
River Flood Control Project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shares
regulatory oversight with the CVFPB. State Maintenance Areas and
local levee and reclamation districts have responsibility for maintaining
the levees.
Funding
The State and Federal Government provide some funding for flood protection.
Even with passage of Propositions 1E and 84, the need is far greater than the
available funding. Local governments are expected to share the costs. Cities
and the County will explore options for raising necessary local shares.
Timeline
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Updated FEMA – Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for
all of Sutter County are anticipated in 2010. The new
FIRMs will reflect that the levees protecting Sutter
County are no longer accredited, and will therefore
trigger mandatory flood insurance for many Sutter
County residents, affect insurance rates for current
policy holders, and affect construction standards for
new buildings.
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The Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency (SBFCA) is
developing a set of "Early Implementation Projects"
that would restore 100-year flood protection for much of
Sutter and Butte Counties.
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