Flood Control - Santa Cruz LAFCO

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5.1 Growth and Population The population growth projections for Santa Cruz County are as follows: Santa Cruz LAFCO: Countywide Service Review Table 5.2 Population Estimates Flood Protection and Stormwater Services Public Agency 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 Annual Growth Rate City of Capitola 10,869 10,978 11,041 11,104 11,120 11,136 0.1% City of Santa Cruz 56,953 57,768 58,846 59,924 61,956 63,987 0.5% City of Scotts Valley 13,182 13,667 13,864 14,062 14,169 14,275 0.3% City of Watsonville 52,716 56,779 61,126 65,473 67,946 70,418 1.3% Santa Cruz County (unincorporated) 133,824 136,167 139,150 142,132 143,582 145,031 0.3% Source: AMBAG 2004 Projections The expected growth has bearing on flood protection and stormwater management services in terms of service levels and funding sources. Increasing density and urbanization impact stormwater management as the impervious surface area increases and more runoff is generated. Growth in the South County will increase flood control and drainage needs in order to assure public protection. All of Santa Cruz County eventually drains into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, so water quality is a critical issue; an increase in population typically affects the amount and type of constituents in runoff and stormwater. The County and the Cities of Watsonville and Scotts Valley fund all or a portion of their drainage programs through development impact fees; with the slow to moderate growth projected funding is limited. 5.2 Infrastructure Needs and Deficiencies The infrastructure associated with flood protection and stormwater drainage in Santa Cruz County includes the following: underground systems; above ground drainage ditches and water courses; pump stations, catch basins and outfalls; and Federal flood control projects along the Pajaro River, Salsipuedes Creek and the San Lorenzo River. Cities and districts maintaining stormwater systems must obtain coverage under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit and implement stormwater pollution prevention plans or stormwater management programs (both using best management practices) that effectively reduce or prevent the discharge of pollutants into receiving waters. For most jurisdictions, the best management practices result in higher operations and maintenance costs for their stormwater systems. City of Capitola The City of Capitola maintains its street drainage systems and relies on the County to provide major storm drain services through the Santa Cruz County Flood Control & Water Conservation District Zone 5. In the past Capitola has experienced minor intersection flooding which was corrected through June 2005 – Public Review Draft Section 5 - 3
Santa Cruz LAFCO: Countywide Service Review Flood Protection and Stormwater Services maintenance. The City constructed the Lawn Way pump station in the past few years to alleviate Village flooding. Capitola has implemented several best management practices related to its drainage infrastructure, including outfall inspection and cleaning, annual storm drain cleaning in the fall, and zero discharge sidewalk cleaning. The City faces several challenges over the next five years, including developing an accurate map of the drainage systems, implementing the Soquel Creek Lagoon Management Plan, and improving water quality in Soquel Creek. The City’s NPDES program is currently unfunded. The City did receive a grant from the State Water Resources Control Board for $100,000 to prepare a storm drain master plan for the Village area to identify key components to water quality and to design and build dry weather diversions. The project is included in the City’s Capital Improvement Program and is scheduled for FY 2004-2005. The City noted that the size of its drainage system is inadequate, and critical drainage improvements remain unfunded. City of Santa Cruz The City of Santa Cruz maintains 7 miles of underground stormwater pipelines, 8 miles of surface storm ditches, 1 pump station, approximately 1,500 catch basins and 125 outfalls. The City also maintains the US Army Corps of Engineers levee system on the San Lorenzo River, which is approximately 3 miles long with 5 pump stations. Over the past ten years, the City has experienced only minor flooding in localized areas with minimal damage. Infrastructure deficiencies were the primary cause, and the City has since completed several infrastructure projects that have reduced the worst flooding. The City noted that in some areas additional infrastructure is needed or capacity needs to be increased in order to maintain adequate service levels. The City also noted the need to increase maintenance activities to improve water quality. The City’s operations and maintenance program for the flood control facilities on the San Lorenzo River includes removal of sand and silt from the channels of the river and Branciforte Creek; maintenance of pumps, gates and levees; and removal of weeds and growth in drainage ditches and catch basins. The City budgeted $3.35 million for stormwater-related capital projects in FY 2003-2004, including the preparation of a Citywide Storm Drain Master Plan, Clean Beaches/Wet Wells program, and $2.1 million for the Laurel Phase of the San Lorenzo River Flood Control Project. The proposed budget for FY 2004- 2005 includes $131,000 in funding for capital projects with $130,000 directed towards the San Lorenzo River pump station repairs and vegetation and sediment management for the river. One of the City’s achievements in the past few years was the construction of new storm drains near lower Ocean Street and at the intersection of Seabright and Broadway. As a best management practice the City has routine street sweeping and regularly cleans the storm drain pipeline system. June 2005 – Public Review Draft Section 5 - 4
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Flood Control - Santa Cruz LAFCO

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