BALMD LEVEE
PROJECT
Project
Summary
Location:
Sacramento Delta, California
Background:
The local Levee District was tasked with creating a multi benefit levee erosion control/habitat enhancement project to repair, fortify, and restore both the levee and the natural habitat.
Problem:
Due to decades of using rip-rap (rock) along the levee riverbanks, the loss of environmental habitat has been substantial and damaging to both the land and aquatic species.
Solution:
After a competitive review process, the California Department of Water Resources, selected the "Gripper System" as the superior solution and awarded funds to construct the project.
Scope:
Over 32,000 units were used to create 4 separate "Gripper System" environmental benches, each 4 feet in height. The construction took place on three separate stretches of riverbank covering approximately 4,427 linear feet.
Impact:
Shortly after completion, the project area was hit with record flooding. Despite the historically bad conditions, the groundbreaking “Gripper System” benches were left completely unaffected.
Results:
The “Gripper System” has changed what is possible in levee maintenance and repair, by restoring mother nature’s beauty, and providing essential protection to our critical levee waterways.
