During major storms, hundreds of households and businesses in Morgan Hill are at risk of flooding from Llagas Creek and its smaller streams. Flooding has happened multiple times over the years, including six times since 2000.
I’ve seen the damage these floods leave behind, and I know how devastating they can be. That’s why I’m pleased to share that Valley Water is actively working on the third and final phase of the Upper Llagas Creek Flood Protection Project. This phase, called Phase 2B, targets four stretches, or reaches, of the creek that have long been vulnerable to flooding.
Phase 2B includes improvements along about eight miles of Upper Llagas Creek and East and West Little Llagas creeks from Highway 101 to Llagas Road. This summer, our crews will widen and deepen the creeks, install stormwater culverts, relocate utilities and create native habitats and recreational trails.
Here’s a quick snapshot of work that’s happening this summer:
- Reach 6 (near Llagas Avenue): Deepening and reshaping the creek channel, improving flow capacity, constructing maintenance roads and fortifying several bridge crossings.
- Reach 7B (near Watsonville Road to Ciolino Avenue): Major improvements to bridges over the creek channel.
- Reach 8 (Hale Avenue near downtown Morgan Hill): Constructing a key inlet structure and underground drainage system connected to the new tunnel under Nob Hill, built in an earlier phase.
- Reach 14 (near Highway 101): Expanding the creek capacity and adding access roads for maintenance.
We know that construction can be disruptive, bringing challenges such as increased truck traffic, road closures, noise and dust. Valley Water is committed to doing everything we can to minimize these inconveniences. We are using the best construction practices and maintaining open lines of communication with our community. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue this important work to protect and enhance the safety and well-being of our neighborhoods.
We expect to fully complete this project in 2027. Once finished, it will provide flood protection for about 1,100 homes, 500 businesses and more than 1,300 acres of agricultural land in southern Santa Clara County. It will also help residents and businesses save thousands of dollars annually on flood insurance, pending certification by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Importantly, it also helps in preserving and enhancing creek habitats for fish and wildlife.
Last year, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded $80 million in federal funding to support the final phase of this project. I’m deeply grateful to Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and the NRCS for their efforts in securing this funding. I also want to extend my thanks to Mayor Mark Turner and City of Morgan Hill staff for being such outstanding partners on this project.
As a lifelong resident and your Valley Water Board Director representing South County, I know how urgently this flood protection is needed. This isn’t just about flood control — it’s about building a stronger, more resilient future for our region.
John L. Varela represents District 1 on the Valley Water Board of Directors.
