Marin Prepares For A Wet Winter Ahead

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Marin County has finished preparations for the winter storm season, officials announced Wednesday, having completed a series of annual maintenance projects ahead of what could be another very wet winter courtesy of El Niño.

In a news release, officials noted that atmospheric rivers early this year caused significant damage, prompting a local state of emergency declaration.

"With this year's El Niño forecast, Marin County Department of Public Works (DPW) and its contracted agencies, such as cities and towns, have been working to complete the preventative maintenance work necessary to prepare for the potentially wet winter ahead," the county wrote Wednesday. "Public safety is the primary goal for DPW staff, and a prime example of that effort is the department's commitment to storm preparations every year."

The seasonal preparations are led by the Flood Control and Water Conservation District, which is responsible for eight flood control zones, 37 miles of creek beds and channels, 14 miles of levees and berms, and 1.3 miles of floodwalls.

"The District’s crews also inspect, maintain and repair levees as part of the seasonal protocol" the county continues. "Standard maintenance includes inspecting over 14 miles of levees and timber reinforced berms for weak points, fortifying with supportive material and filling rodent burrows to prevent leaks. This is conducted on levees in the areas of Richardson Bay, Ross Valley, Santa Venetia and Novato."

Crews from the district and the DPW also inspect dozens of pumps and pump stations, including regular cleaning and servicing work, which are an essential part of reducing flood risks for places like Tiburon's Bel Aire neighborhood, Strawberry Cicrcle, Santa Centia, Novato and the lower Tamalpais Valley. Officials said another pump station is in the process of being installed in Kentfield's Granton Park.

On the roads, DPW maintenccence crews have spent significant time inspecting and cleaning storm drains to remove debris buildups and make them less likely to become clogged during future storms. They also check in on hundreds of roadside ditches across unincorpated Marin County.

"Upkeep on the ditches helps control storm water flow and minimize roadside flooding and erosion," the county said. "Hundreds of culverts, inlets and flow pipes are inspected and, if needed, cleared along county-maintained roads. During and directly after storms, district and DPW crews check storm drains, trash racks, and pump stations to ensure that everything is operating effectively, addressing needs as they arise."

Neighbors can also do their part to recude flood-risks, including by clearing dead leaves from the drains and gutters and disposing of them in compost bins. County officials said in flood-prone areas should also rest sump pumps, stock up on sandbags, make sure they have emergency "go-bags" and sign up for Alert Marin notifications.