Project Steps

Before any major project begins, the District evaluates flood risk across the broader area through and studies flood risk holistically within each zone as part of a Master Plan. This process identifies and prioritizes critical projects, which are then studied in greater details through hydrologic, hydraulics, geotechnical, and environmental analyses. These studies help define key constraints, such as flooding drivers, soil conditions, and environmental considerations, and inform potential solutions.

During the design stage, the District develops a detailed project plan that defines the proposed improvements, engineering and construction requirements, project schedule, and estimated cost. Project design is also guided by the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funding available for the zone in which the project is located. Each of the District’s nine zones has its own CIP budget. Learn more about the District’s funding sources.

Permitting occurs concurrently with project design. Federal, state, and regional regulatory agencies review the proposed work to ensure it complies with environmental laws, regulatory requirements, and municipal codes. When a project may impact the environment, the District is required to provide mitigation, often by restoring or improving environment conditions at another site.

After the project design is finalized and regulatory permits secured, the District invites qualified contractors to bid on the project. A bid package is posted on the Bids are reviewed through a competitive process, and once the lowest responsible and responsive bidder is confirmed, the District requests its Board of Supervisors to approve the award of a construction contract. Project construction begins upon execution of a construction contract. Learn more about contracting with the District.

Throughout construction, the District performs regular inspections and works with the project engineer and contractor to ensure the project proceeds as planned. After construction is complete, a final inspection is conducted. Certain permits also require continued monitoring and reporting on environmental habitat conditions, typically for a period of five to ten years.

After construction is complete, the District performs ongoing maintenance to ensure facilities continue to operate as intended. Regular maintenance extends the life of the infrastructure and helps maximize the public’s investment. Learn more about the role of maintenance and operations.