American River Levees

Protecting communities and critical infrastructure, the American River Levees upgrade delivers up to 11 miles of enhanced bank protection to significantly reduce flood risk and bolster regional resilience.

Project Overview

Project Need

Due to its location in one of the nation’s most flood‐prone metropolitan areas, the Sacramento region faces significant flood risk from the American River and adjacent waterways. The levee system has been identified as vulnerable to erosion, seepage, and stability issues, which, if unaddressed, could compromise community safety, critical infrastructure, and key transportation routes. This project is therefore essential to modernize and reinforce the riverbank, ensuring long-term flood risk reduction for a densely populated and economically vital area.

Project Scope and Objectives

The American River Levees upgrade is designed to add up to 11 miles of enhanced bank protection to mitigate identified risks along the Lower American River, including improvements to sections of the Natomas East Main Drainage Canal, Arcade Creek, and Magpie Creek. These targeted measures aim to address seepage, erosion, and stability concerns by integrating contemporary design standards and engineering practices. The project’s comprehensive scope not only strengthens the levee system but also lays the foundation for a more resilient flood management framework in the region.

Funding, Partnerships

Implemented through a cost-share agreement, the project is a collaborative effort led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with federal, state, and local agencies, including the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, the Department of Water Resources, and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency.

Completed Construction

- WRDA 96/99 Project - 22 miles of seepage cutoff walls constructed in 2016 under the WRDA 96/99 project, provide a critical initial layer of protection.
- American River Contract 1 - Left-bank levee erosion protection near River Park (Paradise Beach area). Completed: 2022
- American River Contract 2 - Right-bank levee erosion protection along Campus Commons (J Street to Howe Avenue). Completed: 2023
- American River Contract 3A - Left-bank levee erosion protection near the Business 80/Cal Expo area (Sutter’s Landing). Completed: 2025

Current & Upcoming

- American River Contracts 3B North & South and Contract 4B - Levee erosion armoring on both banks of the American River (roughly between Howe Ave. and Watt Ave.). Planned: TBD
- American River Mitigation Site - Habitat mitigation located at River Mile 1 of the American River. Estimated: 2027-2030.

Maps & Project Features

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Feature	Status	Threat & Solution
Contract 1	Complete 2022	Tier 1 – Highest erosion risk on the LAR (outside a bend in a narrow floodway with water up to the H st. bridge at 160 cfs). Launchable rock toe with planting bench and rock slope protection; buried rock trench at paradise beach.
Contract 2, Site 2-3	Complete 2023	Tier 2 – Erosion risk after a single high water event. Reduced slope with buried rock tie-backs stabilizes the bank while enhancing habitat, river access, and flood conveyance.
Contract 2, Site 2-2	Complete 2023	Tier 1 – High immediate erosion threat during high flows. Launchable rock toe with extended planting bench in-channel; downstream rock slope protection minimizes tree impacts.
Contract 3A	Complete 2025	Tier 1 – High erosion risk with immediate threat potential during high flows. Launchable rock toe with planting bench and rock slope protection covered with topsoil. Caltrans and Sacramento City have active projects nearby.
Contract 3B North	TBD	Tier 1 – High erosion risk with potential immediate threat. Launchable rock toe in-channel with a planting bench; tree impacts are limited.
Contract 3B South, Segment 3-5	TBD	Tier 1 – Severe erosion risk threatening 440,000 people; potential for levee failure. Launchable rock trench beneath parking lot and rock slope protection extending onto the levee, covered with topsoil.
Contract 3B South, Segment 3-8	TBD	Tier 1 – High erosion risk with immediate threat. For Segments 3-8 & 3-11, a launchable rock toe with a planting bench and rock slope protection will safeguard the levee and vegetation, with limited tree impacts.

USACE Maps Flexbox

Mitigation Map (2023)

Proposed Project Locations Map (2023)

Bank Protection Working Group Meeting
(Nov. 19, 2024)

This video from the Bank Protection Working Group meeting covers key topics, including:

Lower American River Hydraulic Model Selection
Erosion risk drivers
Vegetation reliability for erosion protection
Influence of past designs on Contract 3B

For detailed timestamps, please refer to the Video Timestamps document .

Bank Protection Working Group Meeting
(Aug. 13, 2024)

This video from the Bank Protection Working Group meeting covers key topics, including:

Lower American River Hydraulic Model Selection
Erosion risk drivers
Vegetation reliability for erosion protection

Video

River Park Update (Contract 1 & Contract 3A)
(Nov. 6, 2024)

The latest newsletter provides a concise overview of the River Park levee improvement efforts, key construction dates, and local impacts:

Summer–Fall 2023: Native vegetation (grasses, trees, and shrubs) was planted as part of the revegetation effort.
Late July–December 2025: Scheduled erosion protection construction near the I-80 Bridge, including riprap placement and access modifications.
Spring–Summer 2026: Planned complete revegetation with measures like temporary irrigation and weed control.

Local impacts include temporary access and traffic adjustments (e.g., closure of the levee crown for pedestrians) to ensure safety during construction.

Click the image to view the full update newsletter.

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Documents & Reports

American River Common Features (ARCF) Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)/Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) (May 2025)

ARCF Final SEIS-SEIR Document.pdf (387 pp, 22,437 K)

Appendices: