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
- Advancing; access reopening is scheduled around October 15, 2026.
- Location
- Palo Alto Flood Basin, Palo Alto, CA
September 22, 2026 update
Flat-gate replacements are expected to wrap up in October.
Read related coverageMay 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 coverageSeptember 23, 2025 construction and evaluation update
Valley Water postponed the planned start to early October. A portion of the Adobe Creek Loop Trail will close through January 31; staff will evaluate flood-basin conditions and return in spring with findings and recommendations.
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 coverageAugust 27, 2024 project design, resilience, and schedule update
Valley Water reported annual inspections since repair of a 2011 seepage issue, proposed a deep foundation designed for a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, and anticipated Phase 1 completion in January 2026 if permits and contractor scheduling proceed. A public meeting is planned for November 20 at Mitchell Park Library with a virtual option.
Read related coverage
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