The Flood Project on Napa Creek

UPDATED June 7, 2012
The Napa Creek portion of the Napa River-Napa Creek Flood Project is now underway. Construction is taking place on the measures designed to protect the residential and business areas along Napa Creek from flooding. Many of the same techniques that have been used on the Napa River will be employed in the one-mile stretch of Napa Creek from Jefferson Street on the west to the outfall of the creek into the river east of Main Street, including:

• ·Terracing of the banks
• ·Bypasses (culverts)
• ·Bridge removals or replacements

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Current work

Construction of the downstream culverts and east section of the project has been completed. The current phase of work on the upstream, west section of the project is underway and has a reduced level of impacts on vehicle traffic in the area. 

A closure of about 30 days is now underway for the Seminary Street Bridge over Napa Creek. Traffic is being detoured using Hayes Street and Jefferson Street. The bridge is expected to reopen around July 5.

The Coombs Street Bridge over Napa Creek has been permanently removed. This eliminates vehicle traffic from connecting from Coombs to Clinton-Brown Streets but pedestrian acceess remains using the new pedestrian bridge.

A new bus turn-around is in use in the parking lot on the northeast side of the Coombs-Pearl intersection. Eight parking spaces remain ih this lot after restriping for the bus turn-around. Also, one lane of Coombs Street north of Pearl is closed to allow work on a new retaining wall. This closure will continue into the fall of 2012. Pedestrian access will be maintained. During June, the Behrens Street Bridge over Napa Creek will be permanently removed. 

 Download Map 1 - East section work phases

Download Map 2 - West section work phases

Following are a set of Frequently Asked Questions:

What kinds of trees are being cut down during this phase?

There are multiple species being removed to make the project construction possible. There are natives such as oaks, alders and cottonwoods and non-natives such as privets, acacia, and tree of heaven that will be removed. 

The project landscaping plans include the planting of over 800 container trees and 2000 less mature tree pole plantings, all native, along the disturbed areas of the creek banks. Anyone interested in reviewing the specific plans should contact the Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District office at 707-259-8600.

When will the Brown Street parking lot be completed?
The parking lot will be completed in the Winter 2012 after the creek bank behind the future parking lot is terraced. The terracing of floodplain is to be done during the in water work window of June 1 through Oct 15.

During the course of the project, will there continue to be fire access?
Fire and emergency access will be maintained during the entire duration of the project.

Where will the contractor stage the trucks that are doing the hauling?
Trucks will be staged offsite on Gasser Drive to avoid lines of waiting trucks in the project area and minimize additional disturbance to local residents

What type of activity will be happening on Coombs Street, and when?
The contractor will be demolishing the Coombs Street Bridge, excavating soil from the north side of the creek to create floodplain terraces and constructing a large retaining wall along the south side of the creek. These activities will begin in May and be on-going through the fall. We will provide businesses on Coombs Street with a weekly activity schedule so that they can anticipate what upcoming work will be happening.

What is the communication outreach plan regarding the changes in parking on Coombs Street and routing of the buses?
Currently, all VINE bus routes travel over Coombs Street. The agency responsible for the bus service is currently constructing a new transit facility. While the timing for completing the new facility and relocating the bus operations away from the Coombs Street area is still being developed, it is unlikely that the bus routes will be modified prior to the removal of the Coombs Street Bridge. We will provide more information to the businesses along Coombs Street and Clinton Street regarding the status of the bus transit construction and the bus routing by May 1st.

If the buses continue to use the existing transit station on Pearl Street as currently expected, the buses will be routed through the parking lot located at the corner of Pearl Street and Coombs Street, limiting local parking. This bus routing would be similar to the bus operations that were in effect in early 2011 to accommodate the closure of Pearl Street.

Specific changes in parking will be communicated to local residents at least one week in advance and appropriate signage will be in place. We will do what we can to minimize these disruptions.

Will there be any changes to pedestrian access from Coombs to Clinton Street?
There will be no changes to the pedestrian access from Coombs Street as the existing pedestrian bridge will provide west-east access.

At the conclusion of the project, will everything be restored to the way it was previously?
Many areas will be permanently changed like the parking reconfiguration on Clinton Street and the removal of the Coombs Street Bridge. Others areas such as roadways will be resurfaced and restored to before project conditions.

Will there be construction during the lunch hour?
Crews generally take a 30 minute lunch break around the noon hour, but due to the activities they will be performing, the breaks will not consistently occur at the same time.

What is planned for the area between the Clinton parking lot and the Coombs Street Pedestrian Bridge along the north side of Napa Creek?
This property is owned by the City of Napa. It was originally proposed as the location of the 9/11 Memorial that is now planned near Kohl’s Department Store. The area will be used during construction as a staging area. At this time, there is not a specific plan for the long term programming of this space.

How can I get more information on the Napa Creek construction?
Tiffany VanGorder is the project’s public outreach manager. She can be reached by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by telephone at 707-255-7667. Also, Tiffany will be sending out a weekly email update describing the current and upcoming work.

More information will be posted here as dates become available. Contact Barry Martin, Community Outreach Coordinator, at 707-258-7843 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.