Levee Improvements Project: Description and Background

*As of February 5, 2021, all Levee Project content and more timely updates have been migrated to our new Levee Improvements Project website at fostercitylevee.org.

The Foster City levee system, surrounding the majority of the outer bay-front perimeter of the City, is crucial in providing protection from flood hazards and storms. In 2014, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determined that our levee system does not meet minimum requirements for flood protection.

To protect people and property and avoid designating Foster City as a flood zone (which would require expensive flood insurance for most home owners), voters passed Measure P in 2018 to fund the necessary levee improvements.

Construction of these significant improvements began in October of 2020, and will continue through 2023. During construction, there will be some unavoidable impacts such as traffic delays, an increase in the level of noise and dust, and interruption of the recreational use of the levee trail.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as the work is completed! The City will be closely working with the contractor to mitigate these impacts as much as possible and will make every effort to minimize any inconvenience and disruption. Once the work is completed, Foster City’s improved levee (which will be more resistant to earthquake damage) will protect homes, schools, businesses, and essential City services and infrastructure from storms and high tide, for years to come. See the links below for more detailed information about the Foster City Levee Protection Planning and Improvements Project.

Background

In order to maintain FEMA accreditation and keep Foster City properties out of the flood zone, Foster City voters approved Measure P in 2018, which authorizes the City to issue a $90 million general obligation (GO) bond to improve and strengthen the Foster City levee system. Measure P will cost the property owner approximately $40 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) property value annually for levee improvements for 30 years instead of the estimated $2,000-$3,000 or more per year in flood insurance indefinitely. 

The measure will provide funds to strengthen the levee to meet FEMA standards, keeping Foster City properties out of the flood zone and allowing residents to avoid mandatory expensive flood insurance. Levee improvements will not only allow Foster City to maintain FEMA accreditation, but also protect essential city services during storms and protect the levee from earthquake damage.