The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in partnership with the Central Valley Flood Protection Board (formerly the Reclamation Board) (CVFPB) and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) constructed flood improvements to the Mayhew Levee and Drain.

The work consisted of raising and widening the existing levee, and constructing a slurry wall beneath the levee.  A closure structure was constructed near the mouth of the drain to prevent the American River waters from backing up the drain, while still allowing internal drainage to drain to the American River.

UDATE - JULY 22, 2011

The Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) is working diligently with its partners the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to complete outstanding activities along the Mayhew levee. The following is an update on the status of these activities:

Rill Erosion
Plans are being finalized to address the rill erosioin along the river near the upstream end of the Kansas staging area and construction is planned for Fall 2011. The plan includes slope stabilization and native grass and shrub plantings

Kansas Staging Area
The Kansas staging area has been delayed due to new requirements by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) to obtain a Stormwater permit. The regrading of the staging area also includes tree, shrub and grass plantings, the partnership has determined that the optimal time to conduct these activities is Fall, prior to the rainy season. SAFCA has asked the USACE for a new schedule indicating how they intend to complete construction of the rill and staging area prior to this year's rainy season. Click the following link to view.
Mayhew Levee Staging Area Revegetation Plan

Mitigation/Restoration
SAFCA has been carefully reviewing the mitigation obligations for the work on the Mayhew levee based on the environmental document, biological opinion and SAFCA's committments to the residents. A summary is provided below:

         •  Riparian/oak woodland mitigation - conducted at Goethe East (Riverbend Park) and is in             its fourth year of ten years of monitoring.

         •  Elderberry mitigation - conducted at Goethe East (Riverbend Park) and is in its fourth year             of ten years of monitoring.

         •  Oak tree/elderberry shrub transplants and native grassland - transplanted and seeded in              2006/2007 at Mayhew near the old kiosk and near the Mayhew Drain; trees and shrubs              are self sustaining but SAFCA is monitoring their condition.

The only remaining remediation that SAFCA is aware of is to revegetate the staging area with native grasses and forbes in addition to native riparian woody plants. The native grasses and forbes were seeded in 2007. The woody plants, and additional grasses, will be installed after the staging area is graded in Fall 2011.

SAFCA made numerous commitments to the residents and have completed those obligations. Those commitments included:

         •  Removing invasive weeds - SAFCA has been removing yellow star-thistle and other              invasive plants since 2010.

         •  Establish a mixed riparian woodland on the low bench, an oak woodland on the upper              bench and smaller shrubs and herbaceous plants in numerous areas - SAFCA installed              over 100 plantings in 2010 and is currently maintaining those plants. SAFCA anticipates              those plants to be self-sustaining in 2012.

         •  SAFCA is also removing trash from the planting area near the old kiosk and the Mayhew              drains as well as maintaining the beaver fencing and browse protection. Once the plants              are well established, estimated in 2012, the linear/pod beaver fencing shall be removed.