Posted on October 2, 2024
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $127,900 contract August 19 to C.T.L. Forest Management, Inc., to clean up and clear vegetation ahead of flood risk reduction work along Tenmile Slough at river mile 30, often referenced as TS30L.
Crews will begin trimming trees and removing vegetation to allow access for construction vehicles and machinery to complete construction as soon as October 17, 2024. Workers will be in the area for approximately two weeks during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
While the area will not be closed to public access, public use is highly discouraged during work hours as it will be a work zone with vehicles, equipment, and lots of activity. Tree crews will temporarily stop work to allow pedestrian and bicycle traffic to pass through the area.
Trees not impacted by the upcoming levee construction, particularly those along the levee toe may be retained. A three-foot-high stump will remain from any removed trees until the stump and root balls are removed in the spring when levee construction begins.
Removed tree material will be delivered to the San Joaquin River West Mitigation Site to be repurposed for habitat creation for the giant garter snake.
The vegetation clearing is the first step for the levee improvements at TS30L. The TS30L levee construction work will begin Spring 2025 and be complete in Fall 2026. The TS30L segment will be the first levee construction completed under the San Joaquin River Basin, Lower San Joaquin River, California project.
The $1.3 billion cost-shared project is being completed by USACE, the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, California’s Department of Water Resources, and the San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency. The project is expected to benefit 162,000 residents through implementation of structural improvements along 23 miles of levee and at two closure structures, and non-structural improvements such as comprehensive emergency evacuation planning and floodplain management. The project’s initial schedule targets completion in 2039.
