Flood Control Effort Expands to Salsipuedes Creek

A stretch of Salsipuedes Creek that many worry could flood Watsonville neighborhoods during a big rain event will get some flood mitigation work Saturday, County Supervisor Greg Caput announced.

The Community Restoration Project will do some maintenance along the creek near Bridge Street and beyond. Wood chips will be spread over recently weeded areas so as to prevent excessive vegetation growth and thereby create greater flow capacity.

The main stem of the Pajaro River received major flood control improvements during the summer, but many in the community have expressed concerns about Salsipuedes Creek, which abuts a senior housing development, as the real flood threat in the area.

Caput, whose Fourth District includes that area, organized the project at the request of Bay Village residents, the seniors who live closest to the creek. Salsipuedes Creek has levees on its lower stretches, but years of sediment deposits have raised the level of the creek.

The Community Restoration Project participates in a number of public interest projects providing pathways back into the community for juvenile and adult offenders through employment, advocacy, mentorship and community strengthening. The Community Restoration Project also serves a host of other at-risk populations who experience multiple barriers to employment.

Crews will be out working at the creek starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.