Communities situated along the San Joaquin River in California remain on high alert as the threat of flooding persists.
The levee that stands between them and the river is being closely monitored to prevent any breaches or failures. A significant test of the levee's strength is currently underway in the Manteca area of San Joaquin County.
The portion of the levee that runs behind Durham Ferry school is facing seepage and boils due to high river levels caused by storm activity, runoff, and reservoir releases. Levee managers are utilizing various techniques, including sandbags, seepage blankets, booms, and berms, to keep the river water away from Durham Ferry school.
Staff and administration are accustomed to monitoring the weather and river levels, and students and teachers have been relocated to a safer location in Stockton. Livestock that was being kept on the rural campus has been moved offsite to avoid the flooding threat. Multiple agencies, including city and county governments, area reclamation districts, fire departments, the Department of Water Resources, and the Corps of Engineers, are coordinating their efforts to protect people and property.
Emergency service planners are relieved that cooler temperatures in the area are slowing down the snowmelt, preventing water levels from rising too fast. Despite these measures, the threat of flooding is likely to persist for several more weeks or months, and the community remains vigilant.
Levee managers are aware that water finding its way into the sandy soil could cause further seepage and boils, potentially leading to a breach or failure. Therefore, they will continue to monitor the situation closely and take the necessary precautions to protect the community from the ravages of the San Joaquin River.