[jacket3ree]

The Pajaro river levee break is a good example of why communities should be allowed to remove vegetation in river channels, especially where rivers pass through populated areas.

I’ll defer to our resident hydrologist on this one.  Faster flow rates would put more stress downstream to communities that are also downhill and potentially more prone to flooding, so my guess is that the wisdom of increasing the flow upstream depends on what the capacity to handle it downstream is.

BC

Correct. Always improve capacity from downstream to upstream. Also vegetation can help stabilize an earthen levee system and prevent erosion. That said, they may need to clear out the vegetation within the flow conveyance section of the river along a long stretch of the Pajaro ala 1995 when Governor Wilson ordered it so and told the regulatory agencies to pound sand.  Emergency declaration; no regulatory permits.  I remember that well.  Funny how the vegetation will grow back. Age old problem. I don't know why the levee specifically failed at this section (about 300 feet now from what I've read) and if it was overtopping/degradation or piping/breach.

Just received word from our Salinas office that the Salinas River has overtopped its banks. No word about closures other than Highway 1 at Watsonville.

[jacket3ree]

The Pajaro river levee break is a good example of why communities should be allowed to remove vegetation in river channels, especially where rivers pass through populated areas.

I’ll defer to our resident hydrologist on this one.  Faster flow rates would put more stress downstream to communities that are also downhill and potentially more prone to flooding, so my guess is that the wisdom of increasing the flow upstream depends on what the capacity to handle it downstream is.

BC

Correct. Always improve capacity from downstream to upstream. Also vegetation can help stabilize an earthen levee system and prevent erosion. That said, they may need to clear out the vegetation within the flow conveyance section of the river along a long stretch of the Pajaro ala 1995 when Governor Wilson ordered it so and told the regulatory agencies to pound sand.  Emergency declaration; no regulatory permits.  I remember that well.  Funny how the vegetation will grow back. Age old problem. I don't know why the levee specifically failed at this section (about 300 feet now from what I've read) and if it was overtopping/degradation or piping/breach.

Just received word from our Salinas office that the Salinas River has overtopped its banks. No word about closures other than Highway 1 at Watsonville.