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Sacramento's Top Army Civil Works Projects in 3D

Explore how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is strengthening flood risk management across California's Capital Region through modern 3D visualization.

By John Prettyman USACE Sacramento District
Published Aug. 17, 2026
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Delivering Critical Infrastructure

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District has released a new 3D visualization highlighting some of the district's top Civil Works projects reducing flood risk throughout California's Capital Region.

Narrated by Sacramento District Commander Col. Robert McTighe, the animation demonstrates how major projects including American River Common Features (ARCF), West Sacramento, Folsom Dam Raise, and Natomas Basin work together as part of an interconnected regional flood risk management system.

“What we deliver for the nation is significant.”

Col. Robert McTighe, Sacramento District Commander

While the animation focuses on Civil Works, these projects are part of the Sacramento District's more than $1 billion average annual program, which also delivers Military Programs, Environmental, Interagency and International Services, and Operations missions across the western United States.

Traditional aerial imagery and ground photography often cannot fully convey the scale and interconnected nature of this infrastructure. Using authoritative GIS data and modern 3D visualization, the animation simplifies complex engineering into clear, engaging visuals that help audiences better understand how Civil Works investments protect communities.

3D visualization of Sacramento Region Civil Works flood risk management projects
Figure 1: Regional overview of major Sacramento-area Civil Works flood risk management projects.

Featured Projects

American River Common Features

Strengthening levees and other flood risk management infrastructure along the American and Sacramento rivers, including widening the Sacramento Weir.

Sacramento Weir Widening

Expanding the Sacramento Weir to increase floodwater diversion into the Yolo Bypass and reduce pressure on the Sacramento River system.

West Sacramento

Improving levees and reducing flood risk for the West Sacramento community.

Folsom Dam Raise

Increasing flood storage capacity to better manage major storm events.

Natomas Basin

Strengthening the basin's levee system to reduce flood risk for the Natomas community.

3D visualization of American River levee improvements and deep mixing method cutoff wall construction
Figure 2: 3D visualization of American River levee improvements addressing seepage and erosion, showing construction of a deep mixing method cutoff wall to strengthen the levee.
3D visualization of the Sacramento Weir Widening project
Figure 3: 3D visualization of the Sacramento Weir Widening project, extending the weir by 1,500 feet to increase floodwater diversion into the Yolo Bypass.
3D visualization of the Folsom Dam Raise project
Figure 4: 3D visualization of Folsom Dam and the Folsom Dam Raise project, which will raise surrounding earthen dikes, auxiliary dams, and the main concrete structures by 3.5 feet.

Related Links


civil works
flood risk management
Folsom Dam
American River Common Features
Sacramento Levees
Sacramento Weir
3D

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