Army Corps of Engineers Begins Work in Tehama, Calif., to Save Homes
News release, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District - 9/9/03

SACRAMENTO - In a unique program, the Army Corps of Engineers, in association with the City of Tehama, the California Reclamation Board and homeowners, plans to raise 122 homes in the Sacramento River town of Tehama above the river's 100-year flood level. It will cost around $3.3 million to raise the homes.

Representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers, the California Reclamation Board, the City of Tehama, homeowners and construction crews will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about this project during a special media day, Sept. 16. The event will be held at Tehama City Hall, 250 Cavalier Street in Tehama, Calif., between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Interested parties will be greeted at Tehama City Hall and then directed to construction sites.

"This is the first time a program of this size and type has been attempted by the Corps of Engineers, west of the Mississippi," said Stan Wallin, Project Manager for the Army Corps of Engineers.

"The costs will be shared: homeowners will pay 10.5 percent of the cost, the Corps will pay the largest amount at 65 percent and the remaining 20.5 percent will be paid by the California Reclamation Board. The city also has a program to help those homeowners who are low income," added Wallin.

There are 122 homes in the flood area that are below the 100-year flood level and eligible to be raised. Work started on low-income houses first, because funding was readily available, with those homes furthest below the flood level being the first priority. Homeowners in the area who are interested in participating in the program should see the City Clerk immediately, while funds last.

Contractors will first elevate the homes so that they are above the anticipated floodwaters. Then, they will support the homes with large, timber cribbing while they build a new, higher foundation for each house. The typical foundation will be comprised of cinder blocks filled with concrete and reinforced with steel. The space below the houses will be suitable for storage, but not for living accommodations; contractors will finish the space off so that it looks like an integral part of the house. Any additional improvements to the houses will have to be paid for by the homeowners.

"Short of moving them out of the area or building a very expensive ring levee, there is no other way to protect our citizens," said Carolyn Steffan, City Clerk for Tehama. "Many people have lived here all their lives and have no intention of moving. And the building and maintenance of an expensive levee, even in partnership with the Corps, is beyond the financial capability of the City of Tehama," she added.

Workers will complete the work by the end of 2005. Work performed after that will require additional funding.

Directions to Tehama City Hall: Route 5 North to the Los Molinos/Tehama exit. Take this exit and travel east until the stop sign. Go straight across the road (Highway 99) and continue until road makes a sweeping left turn and a four way stop. Go right at the stop and continue straight until you see Cavalier Road (just before a bridge). Turn right onto Cavalier Road and look for the water tower. Tehama City Hall is a cinder block building under the water tower