City of San Diego making progress on stormwater channel improvements

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Following the severe impacts of the historic flooding from Jan. 22, City of San Diego maintenance crews have made progress on clearing out stormwater channels in some of the hardest hit neighborhoods.

According to a release from the city Wednesday, the city’s Stormwater Department has cleared four channel sections in the past weeks and is now conducting other maintenance work to prepare for the next rainy season.

Since January’s flooding, the city has done emergency maintenance on about 18 miles of channels throughout San Diego, including 12 miles in the Chollas Creek watershed and the removal of more than 9,800 tons of debris.

According to the city, since July 1, crews removed an additional 421 tons of debris and vegetation that accumulated following January’s storm.

Two major projects to upgrade the drainage systems in the Skyline-Paradise Hills area and Beta Street are currently in the design and planning stages.

The city currently faces a $1.6 billion deficit in funds for improving aging stormwater infrastructure over the next five years, the release stated.

To continue the maintenance of San Diego’s channels, Mayor Todd Gloria has added more than $8 million to the Stormwater Department’s budget this fiscal year, according to the city.

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