The Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration and Flood Improvement Project has restored approximately 3,100 acres of natural freshwater tidal marsh in the Cache Slough Complex in the northern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, while also increasing the regional flood conveyance capacity of the Yolo Bypass.

Why does this project matter?

This multi-benefit project was funded by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to create creditable acres for Delta Smelt and other listed species that will satisfy DWR’s obligations under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Biological Opinion related to coordination of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project; and reduce regional flood risk consistent with California’s Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. The project will provide critical habitat for multiple sensitive species including Delta smelt, longfin smelt, steelhead, salmon, sturgeon, giant garter snake, western pond turtle, and Swainson’s hawk.

What is ESA doing to help?

DWR contracted Ecosystem Investment Partners (EIP) to develop and implement the Project as a multi-benefit project targeting both habitat restoration and flood risk reduction. As a subconsultant to EIP, ESA provided services since through planning and construction, including 2D hydrodynamic modeling and wind-wave analyses to support the project’s civil and restoration design teams to design intertidal habitat features, a new setback levee, and erosion countermeasures; permitting and technical support through the CVFPB encroachment permit and USACE Section 408 permission process; vegetation colonization surveys and other analyses to support permitting and crediting; cultural resources surveys and permitting support; and preparation of the Final EIR and Final EA required for CEQA and NEPA, respectively.

Testimonials icon

“One of our flagship projects is Lookout Slough, which provides an opportunity for 3,000 acres of tidal marsh restoration. It’s important because at that scale, it’s essential for us to be able to monitor and measure effectiveness as it relates to native fish species needs in the Delta, but we are doing that in a coordinated way with a flood project. It’s bringing monies from both the flood portion of Proposition 1 together with dollars from the State Water Project for needed mitigation for fish species and having those combined objectives at the outset of a significant project. In the Delta, it also helps us as a Department to work better with local government, work better with Solano and Yolo counties, and the reclamation districts in that area.”

Karla Nemeth, Director

California Department of Water Resources

The Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration and Flood Improvement Project is one of California's largest ecological restoration efforts. The project restores 3,400 acres of tidal wetlands for native species and provides 40,000 acre-feet of floodwater storage that reduces flood risks for adjacent communities. Construction involved extensive earthwork-including excavating six million cubic yards of soil and upgraded levees which offer 100-year flood protection. Photo by Ken James / California Department of Water Resources

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