Flood Protection

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The West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (WSAFCA/Agency) was formed in 1994 through a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA) between the City of West Sacramento (City), Reclamation District (RD) 537, and Reclamation District 900. In 2019, Yolo LAFCo (Yolo County Local Agency Formation Commission) detached RD 537’s territory outside the City. Subsequently in 2025, RD 537 withdrew from the JPA. WSAFCA is composed of a 3-member Board representing the City, RD 900, and a member at large. The Agency is staffed by city employees and funded by various tax measures approved by voters, in-lieu fees approved by the City Council and Board, and a portion of property taxes approved by the Board. WSAFCA is working toward achieving 200-year level flood protection for the West Sacramento community by 2040 under the requirements of State Senate Bill 586.

Due to catastrophic Hurricane Katrina, the United States Corps of Engineers (USACE) strengthened levee standards to incorporate modern engineering into levee design and WSAFCA responded by implementing the West Sacramento Levee Improvement Program (WSLIP). Through the Early Implementation Program (EIP) funded by Proposition 1E (2006), the California Department Water of Resources (DWR) and WSAFCA completed four Early Implementation Projects: I Street Bridge (2008), CHP Academy (2011), Rivers Project (2011) and Southport EIP (2018). During the Southport EIP, the West Sacramento Project was authorized by Congress in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (2016). The Southport Setback Levee Project became the first component of the federally authorized Project under the 2016 Water Resource Development Act (WRDA) bill.

The City received a New Start designation from Congress in 2022 which commits the US Government to complete the remaining West Sacramento Levee Improvement Program (WSLIP).

WSAFCA along with its federal and state partners, have continued to make significant progress toward completing the WSLIP. Major project components are in various stages of construction, closeout, and design, including Yolo Bypass East Levee, Sacramento River North Levee, and Stone Lock projects. Levee Projects Overview provides additional information on the status and scope of each project.

WSAFCA is working quickly and efficiently to face the challenges of stricter flood control standards imposed by the State. These standards must be met by 2040 and WSAFCA is working together with their project partners to make the required improvements a reality.

Why is WSAFCA improving levees in West Sacramento?

The number one priority of the City of West Sacramento is to increase public safety and protect property.
To achieve a minimum 200-year level of flood protection as mandated by the State.
To ensure continuing federal and State funding assistance for levee repairs and maintenance.

The City and West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency have created partnerships to leverage local funds with State and federal flood risk reduction funding. The majority of the cost for the levee improvement projects are funded by cost sharing agreements with our partnering agencies.

What's New

Date	subject
	WSAFCA Board meetings are on the third Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m.
11/20/25	The Board voted and appointed David Dean as Director At-Large
6/18/26	26-055-RFP for UPRR Closure Structure A/E Services Released