Hamilton City Phase 2B & Levee Setback

• Strengthen and modernize the levee system to provide improved flood protection for the community and surrounding areas.
• Improve the structural integrity and durability of the levees to withstand future extreme weather events and rising water levels.
• Enhance the ecological health of surrounding wetlands and wildlife habitats.
• Comply with updated federal and state flood control regulations and engineering standards.

• Excavation and embankment improvements to raise the levee height and increase flood protection capacity.
• Reinforcement of levee slopes with durable materials to prevent erosion and structural failure.
• Construction of drainage systems to manage stormwater runoff effectively.
• Installation of habitat restoration features to improve local ecology and provide space for native species.
• Incorporation of monitoring systems to ensure the ongoing stability and performance of the levee over time.

The project began in the mid-2010s, and Phase 2B was started in 2019 and the Levee Setback was started in 2020. Construction was carried out in stages to minimize disruption and ensure the levee system remained operational during construction, safeguarding the surrounding areas.

• Adherence to environmental best practices for habitat restoration and erosion control.
• Use of sustainable construction materials and techniques to minimize environmental impact.
• Compliance with state and federal regulations on flood management and waterway protection.

The Hamilton City community has long been at risk of flooding from the Sacramento River. Portions of Hamilton City and its surrounding area flooded in 1974; and extensive flood fighting was necessary in 1983, 1986, 1995, 1997, and 1998 to avoid failure of the private J levee. Town residents were evacuated six times in the past 20 years: 1983, 1986, twice in 1995, 1997, and 1998. The Hamilton City community relies on the existing J levee to contain Sacramento River flows. The existing J levee does not meet current levee construction standards and could fail at river levels below the top of the levee.

The Hamilton City Phase 2B Levee Improvement Project provides enhanced flood protection, significantly reducing the risk of flooding for local communities, farmland, and infrastructure. The improvements ensure the long-term sustainability of the levee system while supporting local wildlife habitats. The project also created job opportunities during construction and continues to provide benefits to the local economy through reduced flood risks.