WATSONVILLE — The Watsonville City Council voiced its support of a reservoir expansion project Tuesday that would reduce the flood risk for the Pajaro River.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District, Pacheco Pass Water District and San Benito County Water District are currently applying for grant funding from the state to help fund the $800 million Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project.
The Pacheco Reservoir, located near Highway 152 about 30 minutes east of Gilroy, is an artificial lake whose waters travel through the Pajaro River to the Monterey Bay.
Jeff Cattaneo, general manager of the San Benito County Water District, said the project has “multiple benefits,” mainly to enhance the steelhead habitat in Pacheco Creek, as there is not enough water for the fish during certain times of the year.
The project would expand the reservoir from 7,000 acre-feet to 140,000 acre-feet, and would also support groundwater pumping mainly for agricultural uses.
A new earthen dam would be constructed upstream from the existing dam and connect to the Pacheco Conduit, which carries water from the San Luis Reservoir.
Cattaneo noted that the new dam would have helped reduce the amount of flooding that happened in Hollister in January, when heavy rains caused levees to break along Pacheco Creek, damaging a number of homes along Lovers Lane.
“This will provide a benefit for the downstream area in Pajaro and Watsonville,” he said.
According to a report by Public Works and Utilities Director Steve Palmisano, a 2003 Pajaro River Watershed study found that a new dam on Pacheco Creek would reduce the peak discharge in the Pajaro River by about 1,800 cubic feet per second.
Cattaneo said officials are currently gathering support from watershed agencies on the project, and are expected to submit for Proposition 1 grant funding by Aug. 14. The project will be funded by the Santa Clara Valley and San Benito County water districts.
Councilwoman Nancy Bilicich praised the water districts for their “leadership” on the project.
“The benefits to the Pajaro Valley are great,” she said.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the council declared a home on 168 Carnation Drive a public nuisance.
According to City Attorney Alan Smith, the property owner has not repaired the home after a car crashed into it in 2016, despite repeated requests from code enforcement officials. Since then, trash, debris, an abandoned vehicle and more have accumulated at the property, and the homeowner’s association has not had any success in getting the occupants to voluntarily clean up the property, Smith said.
Building Official Eric Simonson said neighbors have “felt threatened” by the home’s occupants when they approached them about the situation.
Smith said the city will give the property owner one last chance to voluntarily clean up the property. If unsuccessful, Tuesday’s decision by the council allows city officials to remove trash from the property and charge the owner for the work.
