City project
Valley Water Tidegate Project
Valley Water project involving tidegate work, work-area restoration, a flap-gate replacement, and minor wing-wall repairs.
- Current status
- The sluice gate is stuck closed and its motorized system is nonfunctional. The City has submitted a permit application for cleaning, an underwater condition assessment, and initial
- Location
- Palo Alto flood basin, Palo Alto, CA
May 26, 2026: Rehabilitation update
Staff said Valley Water completed seismic retrofit work in 2025 and expects to resume in September 2026 to repair six flap gates. The work is expected to affect Bay Trail access for several months.
Read related coverageDecember 16, 2025: Phased construction update
Staff reported that Phase 1 construction was on track to finish by January 31, with staging-area restoration beginning the following week. Phase 2 was planned for September and October 2026.
Read related coverageAugust 26, 2025: Public-meeting update
The meeting covered the project overview and scope and included questions and answers. It had 30 participants: 13 in person and 17 via Zoom.
Read related coverageFebruary 24, 2025: Proposed funding transfer and ad hoc response
The Mayor announced a council ad hoc effort during a 60-day pause after the City requested that Valley Water defer its proposed transfer of $23 million from the project to San Jose.
Read related coverage