Project Description
In a monumental effort to reinforce the levees along the Sacramento River near California’s capital city, The Dutra Group has undertaken this large project along the Sacramento River to place more than 500,000 tons of material by barge. The project is a crucial component of the Corps of Engineers’ initiative to prevent potential disaster in the face of looming high-water events.
Dutra’s current endeavor involves reinforcing approximately 3.4 miles of the Sacramento River’s east levee, safeguarding this area from potential flooding. The project is part of the broader “American River Common Features [ARCF] 2016” initiative aimed at bolstering flood protection in the wider area.
Working within tight timeframes to minimize disruption to sensitive fish species and environmental habitats, Dutra is strategically placing over half a million tons of riprap along the base of the levee. This riprap, sourced from Dutra’s San Rafael Rock Quarry, acts as a protective barrier, dissipating the river’s energy and preventing erosion.
Additionally, Dutra’s team is creating wetland benches and fish habitats along the levee, utilizing a mixture of quarry rock, soil fill, and woody material from local nut orchards. This intricate process requires meticulous planning and coordination to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and permit conditions.
Despite numerous challenges, including limited access to the project site, fluctuating river flows, and stringent environmental regulations, Dutra’s team remains steadfast in its commitment to safety and project success.
Looking ahead, Dutra takes pride in its role in safeguarding Sacramento from flooding and expresses eagerness to continue contributing to projects of this magnitude in the future. With a focus on safety, innovation, and environmental stewardship, Dutra remains at the forefront of levee reinforcement efforts, ensuring the resilience of communities along the Sacramento River.
Major Challenges
Tight Schedule with Environmental Constraints: Completing the work within specific July-October windows over two years was crucial to avoid harming sensitive fish species. This tight timeframe demanded meticulous planning and efficient execution.
Working Entirely from Water: The project’s location along the Sacramento River necessitated all work to be done from barges. This limited space for equipment and materials, and presented logistical hurdles compared to traditional land-based construction.
Dynamic River Environment: The ever-changing river conditions, with fluctuating water levels and currents, required constant adjustments to maintain safety and efficiency throughout construction.
Balancing Protection and Habitat Creation: The project aimed to both strengthen the levee and create new wetland habitat. Striking a balance between these goals meant ensuring minimal disruption to nearby sensitive ecosystems while effectively reinforcing the flood defenses.
Project Highlights
Dutra’s team is creating wetland benches and fish habitats along the levee, using a mix of quarry rock, soil, and woody material. This intricate process requires meticulous planning to comply with environmental regulations.
Dutra is undertaking a monumental effort to reinforce over 3 miles of the Sacramento River’s east levee, placing more than 500,000 tons of material by barge. This crucial project is part of the Corps of Engineers’ initiative to prevent potential flooding disasters.
Project Scope
Sacramento River Erosion Contract 2 is addressing erosion and levee failure risk by placing approximately 3 miles of rock revetment. Rock is being placed on the levee by barge, with some use of heavy equipment along the rock platform. Improvements include bankfill revetment, riparian bench, quarry stone, and in-stream woody material.
Dutra is reinforcing 3.4 miles of the Sacramento River’s east levee as part of the broader “American River Common Features [ARCF] 2016” flood protection initiative. They are strategically placing over 500,000 tons of riprap from their San Rafael Quarry to act as a protective barrier.
Despite challenges like limited site access and environmental regulations, Dutra’s team remains committed to safety and project success. Looking ahead, Dutra takes pride in their role in safeguarding Sacramento and looks forward to future levee reinforcement efforts.
