Groundbreaking ceremony held for the Upper Norco Bluffs Emergency Repair Project

The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District), in partnership with the City of Norco, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of the Upper Norco Bluffs Emergency Repair Project on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. The event took place at the project site along the southern bank of the Santa Ana River near River Drive. The event featured U.S. Representative Ken Calvert (CA-41) and Colonel Andrew Baker of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Los Angeles District.

The Santa Ana River Upper Norco Bluffs Project, originally constructed in 2003 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was designed to protect homes along River Drive from bluff erosion caused the Santa Ana River. Following a significant storm in early 2024, a Bluff behind the stabilization project began eroding from the top, threatening the project and River Drive. The City of Norco contacted the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), Riverside County Emergency Management Department (EMD), the Corps and the District for assistance. After an assessment by local, state and federal agencies, and with the support of Congressman Ken Calvert, the Corps allocated $3 million in emergency funding, with the District providing an additional $1 million, to stabilize the eroding hillslope.

“We are committed to restoring the integrity of the Upper Norco Bluffs and ensuring the safety of our residents,” said Colonel Andrew Baker. “This project represents a significant collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies to address the immediate concerns while securing the long-term stability of the surrounding community.”

The emergency repair efforts were critical to further stabilizing the bluffs and ensuring long-term protection for the local community. The project will be completed in two phases. Phase 1, which has already been completed, focused on clearing debris from existing drainage features to improve water flow. Phase 2, set to begin after the groundbreaking, will concentrate on repairing the eroded bluff and reinforcing essential structures to better manage runoff down the bluffs. The project is scheduled for completion by December 2024.

Representative Ken Calvert, who played a pivotal role in prioritizing and securing funding for the project, also emphasized the importance of the project for the region, stating, “The Upper Norco Bluffs are a key feature of our community, and we must protect them. I am proud of the work being done here and the strong partnerships necessary to make this a reality.”

To learn more about Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, visit: http://rcflood.org/ or contact Julianna Adams at jadams@rivco.org.

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