Protecting lives, infrastructure, and economic stability – the Marysville Ring Levee Project reduces flood risk for 12,700+ residents, major transportation routes, and critical regional services.



Project Overview

Problem & Need

The Yuba River Basin has experienced seven major floods since 1940, with catastrophic events in 1986 and 1997 causing damages of $95 million and $82.4 million, respectively. Despite past modifications to reduce flood risk, the City of Marysville remains vulnerable due to the region’s levee system. The Marysville Ring Levee (MRL) protects over 12,700 residents, 3,731 structures—including the region’s only level-3 trauma center at Rideout Memorial Hospital—and critical transportation infrastructure such as State Highways 70 and 20 and the Union Pacific Railroad. Without improvements, the levee system remains at risk of failure due to through- and under-seepage, threatening lives, property, and economic stability.

Project Scope

The Marysville Ring Levee project is a multi-phase effort to strengthen 7.6 miles of levee surrounding the city. The project includes constructing seepage cutoff walls and berms using open trench and deep soil mixing methods to meet the state’s 200-year urban flood risk requirement. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Sacramento District is leading the project in partnership with the California Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB) and the Marysville Levee District (MLD). The estimated $92.5 million project is federally and state-funded, with California contributing $17 million as part of its broader levee system upgrades. Upon completion of each phase, USACE updates the levee’s Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Manual, and MLD assumes responsibility for ongoing maintenance.

Completed Construction

The Marysville Ring Levee project has been progressing in multiple phases, with significant milestones completed, including:

  • Reach 1 and 3, Phase 1 – Open Trench Soil Bentonite Cutoff Wall (2014)
  • Reach 3, Phase 2A North – Open Trench Soil Bentonite Cutoff Wall (2018)
  • Reach 3, Phase 2A South – Deep Soil Mixing Soil Bentonite Cutoff Wall (2019)
  • Reach 3, Highway 70 Gap – Seepage Berm (2024)
  • Reach 3, Phase 2C – Deep Soil Mixing Soil Bentonite Cutoff Wall (2020)
  • Reach 3, Phase 3 – Deep Soil Mixing Soil Bentonite Cutoff Wall (Segment C) & Open Trench (Segments A&B) (2022)
  • Reach 3, Phase 4A – Seepage Berm (2017)

These upgrades have significantly enhanced the flood protection capabilities of Marysville, reducing risk and improving long-term resilience.

Current Status

The project is nearing full completion, with the final construction efforts underway:

  • Reach 3, Phase 2B – Open Trench Soil Bentonite Cutoff Wall
    • 95% complete – Regraded back to full height, with ancillary work in progress

The project is expected to meet and exceed the flood protection criteria set by the state, making Marysville one of the safest urban areas in California’s Central Valley in terms of flood risk reduction.

Map & Project Features

Features Construction Status Feet
Phase 1 Cut-off Wall 100% 4,600
Phase 2AN Cut-off Wall 100% 1,243
Phase 2AS Cut-off Wall 100% 2,597
Phase 2B Cut-off Wall 90% 3,100
Phase 2B Hwy 70 Gap 100% 700
Phase 2C Cut-off Wall 100% 1,100
Phase 2C Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Gap Determined no additional risk benefit but currently under second review 200
Phase 3 Cut-off Wall, Segment A 100% 4,100
Phase 3 Cut-off Wall, Segment B 100% 2,500
Phase 3 Cut-off Wall, Segment C 100% 3,100
Phase 4A Landside Berm 100% 400
Phase 3 North Area Cut-off Wall Determined no additional risk benefit but currently under second review 1,000
Total Linear Feet   22,840
Total Miles (WRDA 2007-Authorized 5 miles)   4.3




Marysville Historic Commercial District

An historic structures impact report assessing possible construction-related vibration effects to the National Register of Historic Places-eligible Marysville Historic Commercial District in Marysville, Calif.

Bok Kai Temple

An historic structures impact report assessing possible construction-related vibration effects to the National Register of Historic Places-listed Bok Kai Temple in Marysville, Calif.

image - Bok Kai Temple, Marysville


News & Updates

Phases 2B/3 Utility Relocation Virtual Public Meeting

12/15/2020
This meeting was held to provide an update on design refinements made to the utility relocation along Phases 2B and 3 of the Marysville Ring Levee project. Utilities were anticipated to be relocated in 2021. Public comments on the Draft Supplemental EA-IS were due January 10, 2021.

Webinar Presentation Slides

Map: Phase 2B/3 Utility Relocation Locations

Draft Notice of Intent (NOI)

Draft Supplemental EA-IS

Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

Draft Supplemental Mitigated Negative Declaration

To All Interested Parties Letter
 


Environmental report for Marysville Ring Levee utility relocations out for public review
12/11/2020

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District has released a draft supplemental environmental assessment for utility relocations as part of its Marysville Ring Levee Phases 2B and 3 work in...
Construction on Marysville Ring Levee Phase 2B and 3 to begin. Phase C cutoff wall to be built
4/9/2020 UPDATED

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District awarded a $22.5 million construction contract March 27 to Great Lakes Environmental & Infrastructure, LLC, of Rocklin, California, for 2.8 miles of...
President’s Budget and Work Plan announcements tab $188 million for Sacramento District projects
2/12/2020 UPDATED

More than $188 million in flood risk management work for Northern California were outlined in two separate budget releases on February 10, adding to an already robust Sacramento District workload...
Marysville Ring Levee on track for 2024 completion
10/11/2019

It’s well known that the City of Marysville and its critical infrastructure have experienced extensive and repetitive flooding in the past. That’s why the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its...
Marysville Ring Levee Phase 2AS construction begins
5/28/2019

Marysville, California – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District recently began construction on the next phase of work to improve the 7.6 miles of levee that surrounds Marysville.Part of...
Corps to discuss next phases of Marysville Ring Levee project at public meeting
4/4/2019 UPDATED

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District will host a public meeting April 10 in Marysville to discuss construction plans for Phases 2B and 3 of the Marysville Ring Levee project...
Sacramento District projects get $2.1 billion in supplemental appropriation
7/9/2018

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced supplemental funding July 5 for five Sacramento District projects, totaling an investment of more than $2.1 billion in flood risk management efforts...
Public meeting set regarding Marysville Ring Levee 2019 construction
2/16/2018

A public meeting regarding refined construction plans for Phases 2A South and 2C for the Marysville Ring Levee project will be held Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. in the Yuba County Government Center, located at...
President’s FY19 budget allocates more than $200 million for Sacramento District projects
2/13/2018

Continued construction of safety improvements at Isabella Dam near Bakersfield leads U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District projects listed in the President’s budget unveiled Feb. 12 for...
Construction continues on Marysville Ring Levee
7/13/2017

Construction of a small but necessary section of the Marysville Ring Levee is underway and should be completed by mid-August 2017, maintaining momentum on the project to lessen flood risk in the...
$824,764 contract fuels progress on Marysville Ring Levee
8/29/2016

An $824,764 contract for the next phase of improvements to the Marysville Ring Levee was awarded Aug. 26 to Patterson Taber General Engineering, Inc. of Marysville, California. Construction on 500...
Natomas basin construction highlights nearly $200 million for Sacramento District projects
2/12/2016

Funding to begin construction in the Natomas basin leads the list of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District projects receiving funds for fiscal year 2016. Nearly $200 million is included for...
Stimulus-funded Marysville Ring Levee phase one completed
6/7/2013

Phase one of the Stimulus-funded Marysville Ring Levee Project has been completed. The project is a partnership between the Sacramento District, the Central Valley Flood Protection Board and...
Marysville Ring Levee phase one wrapping up
12/10/2012

After two full years of construction, phase one of the Marysville Ring Levee Project has drawn to a close with 4,600 linear feet of deep-soil-mixed cutoff wall installed – the first milestone in a...
Work doubles on Marysville Ring Levee Project
9/10/2012

MARYSVILLE, Calif. -- Two giant, ultra-modern geotechnical construction rigs work side by side here, implanting a deep-soil-mixed cutoff wall backbone into a section of the Marysville Ring Levee near...
Corps resumes construction on Marysville Ring Levee upgrades
6/8/2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District will resume construction on the Marysville Ring Levee June 11 after pausing last November for the state of California’s...

Multimedia