Delta region faces higher flood risk than pre-Katrina New Orleans 

1,100 miles of levees need repairs along the Delta 

April 21, 2025 - STOCKTON – Last week, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) and Rep. Clay Higgins (LA-03) introduced bipartisan legislation to protect Valley families from devastating flood risks by accelerating repairs to the Delta’s aging levee system. The Safeguarding Our Levees Act streamlines U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) emergency repair projects and eases the financial burden on local communities.

Delta Flood Risk by the Numbers:

• The Delta region faces a greater flood risk than New Orleans did before Hurricane Katrina, and in Stockton alone, over 90% of properties are at risk during a major flood event.
• More than 1,100 miles of Delta levees need repairs, with an estimated cost of up to $3 billion.
• Red tape and bureaucratic delays regularly slow projects by months—or even years.

“Valley communities face serious flood threats every year, and our infrastructure simply isn’t keeping up,” said Rep. Harder. “Red tape has stalled desperately needed repairs, putting our families and homes at risk. This bipartisan bill cuts through the delays and gets levees fixed faster - because no family should have to watch floodwater pour into their living room while the government drags its feet.”

What the Safeguarding Our Levees Act Does:

• Accelerates Levee Repairs: Requires USACE to complete levee rehabilitation within 180 days of project approval.
• Eases Local Burden: Establishes a 75% federal / 25% local cost-share structure to make repairs more affordable for local communities.

The bill is endorsed by the San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency (SJAFCA) and builds on Rep. Harder’s work to bring federal resources back to the Valley. That includes $2.75 million secured last year for flood control projects in Stockton and $1.3 million this year for new flood prevention equipment.
Source: Congressman Josh Harder