Flooding

The creeks and rivers that helped form the picturesque Santa Clara Valley are an integral part of the natural beauty of the area. They are also subject to periodic flooding.

Spanish settlers began arriving in the valley in 1769 and found about 10,000 Ohlone natives living in the area. The Ohlone knew during times of heavy rains the valley's creeks and rivers could overflow, and following tradition they would temporarily move their villages to higher ground when that occurred.

As the area's population grew, permanent settlements were established along the valley's waterways, settlements that could not be relocated when creek waters rose. Consequently, the natural periodic overflowing of local creeks and rivers began to be more than an occasional inconvenience - flooding began to threaten the new homes, businesses and lives.

Protecting homes, businesses and transportation networks from the devastating effects of floods is one of the main jobs of the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Through the years as the county's population and economy have grown the district has worked hard to keep pace with the construction of appropriate flood protection projects. It is a continuous and expensive process.

In this section you can learn about flooding in the valley

• Information and resources regarding protecting your property from floods

• Federal flood insurance program

• Natural flood protection methods and examples

• Tidal flooding