Stockton faces increasing flood risks due to outdated levee infrastructure, while Sacramento has received billions of dollars in flood protection investments over the past two decades.
Both cities are situated along major rivers—Stockton with the San Joaquin and Calaveras Rivers, and Sacramento with the Sacramento and American Rivers—making them vulnerable to winter storms and snowmelt. However, while Sacramento has undergone extensive upgrades to its flood control system, Stockton’s levees have not received a significant overhaul since the 1990s.
Experts warn that this lack of investment puts Stockton at high risk. “We think they’re in danger,” said Jane Dolan, chair of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board. Chris Elias, former executive director of the San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency, echoed similar concerns, stating that Stockton’s flood risk is “possibly worse” than Sacramento’s.
In the last 20 years, Sacramento has received $5.5 billion in flood protection funding, while Stockton has only received $1.4 billion—and all of that funding came in just the last four years. The disparity in funding has left many areas of Stockton, particularly South Stockton and surrounding suburbs, without planned improvements. The last state inspections in 2022 found that Stockton’s levees do not meet the standard for a 200-year flood, with the westside of the city facing the greatest risks.
Ongoing construction on the Lower San Joaquin River levees aims to fortify flood protection in North and Central Stockton, the areas deemed highest risk. The work is currently halfway complete and expected to finish within seven years.
Meanwhile, the Mossdale Tract, a rapidly developing area south of Stockton in Lathrop, has been excluded from federal flood-control improvements. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has resisted funding protection for the area, citing concerns that improvements would encourage further development in a floodplain. However, state and local officials are pushing forward with plans and seeking federal investment.
“We have also continued our work with the state and USACE to complete an evaluation to determine federal interest and investment to achieve more protection for the area,” Elias said.
Voters approved a local tax in 2020 to fund part of Stockton’s flood control efforts, and assessments began last November. However, with much of the city still vulnerable, local officials continue to advocate for more resources to prevent potential disasters.
This article is a summary of an article originally published by Comstock’s, written by Brad Branan.
