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45-576: The Yolo Bypass is one of the two flood bypasses in California's Sacramento Valley located in Yolo and Solano Counties. Through a system of weirs , the bypass diverts floodwaters from the Sacramento River away from the state's capital city of Sacramento and other nearby riverside communities. During wet years, the bypass can be full of water. The main input to the bypass is through

90-402: A Bridge Architect Design Competition, to allow architects time to propose potential bridge designs. This competition resulted in 9 preliminary designs, which were eventually narrowed down to 4. These four designs were shown in community meetings, and received public input. On February 21, 2020 the final design of the bridge was released showing a vertical-lift bridge that is 860 feet long, with

135-550: A depth ranging from 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3.0 m). The state of California has the right to inundate any land in the Yolo Bypass with floodwater . These rights also limit landowners from growing vegetation or building structures that would significantly obstruct flow. There is no compensation for farmers who may lose crops or other losses due to flooding. The state manages the flooding of the Yolo Bypass with farmers and native species in mind. Using adaptive management , there

180-623: A distance ranging from 7,000 to 16,000 feet (2,100 to 4,900 m) apart, except for an 8-mile (13 km) long segment immediately south of the mouth of Putah Creek . The two largest sources for the Yolo Bypass are the Sacramento Weir, completed in 1916, and the Fremont Weir, completed in 1929. Almost 75% of the Yolo Bypass is privately owned, while the rest belongs to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area . Most of

225-751: A plan to divert the water through multiple weirs and bypasses. The Yolo Bypass is one of two major bypasses in the Sacramento Valley that helps deter urban flooding . The other bypass is the Sutter Bypass , which lies upstream of the Yolo Bypass. The 59,000-acre (24,000 ha) Yolo Bypass floodplain was designed in the early 1930s by the US Army Corps of Engineers . The Yolo Bypass extends approximately 41 miles (66 km) long, north to south, and 3 miles (4.8 km) wide. The western and eastern edges are defined by levees separated by

270-445: A specific management plan for different parts of the land. The targeted species for seasonal wetland management is the timothy species. This plant provides countless nutritional seeds for consumption by assorted migratory waterfowl. There are also quite a few nonnative species that are not necessarily wanted in the bypass such as dock and perennial pepperweed . Years with high flows in the Yolo Bypass also benefit fish populations in

315-483: A valuable wetland habitat when flooded during the winter and spring rainy season. In the summer, areas of the bypass outside the wildlife areas are used for agriculture. The Yolo Bypass provides habitat for over 280 terrestrial vertebrate species, changing throughout the seasons. The natural flooding provides an exceptionally good nursery habitat for native fish species, including the endangered Chinook salmon . Juvenile salmon have been found to grow substantially better in

360-744: Is 31 feet (9.4 m); each gate is 38.1 feet (11.6 m) long. Water flowing through the Yolo Bypass is drained through a riparian channel along its southeastern edge, named the Toe Drain. In the Liberty Farms area, the bypass joins first Prospect Slough and then Cache Slough adjacent to the connection of the Sacramento Deep Water Ship Channel . Cache Slough then reconnects with the Sacramento River just north of Rio Vista. The water eventually flows into

405-668: Is a balance between providing efficient flood protection, agriculture, and habitat benefits in the Yolo Bypass year-round. The Yolo Bypass contains the Fremont Weir Wildlife Area , Sacramento Weir Wildlife Area and Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area . The Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area is also part of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and was the largest public/private restoration project west of the Florida Everglades. The entire bypass forms

450-562: Is accounted as being one of the largest wetland restoration projects in the Western United States. Habitats in the Yolo Basin Wetlands includes seasonal wetlands, uplands, perennial wetlands, vernal pools and riparian forest . The Bypass also holds species of riparian vegetation such as cottonwoods , black walnut , willows , saltgrass , and other assorted tree and grass species. The Yolo Causeway has one of

495-407: Is also open for guided tours for all ages of the public every month. The Yolo Bypass is often used for bird watching, hunting, and hiking. Game species include waterfowl (when the bypass is flooded), ring-necked pheasant, and mourning dove. There are also assorted trails that loop around the wetlands in the Yolo Bypass that may be accessed by the public. Recent modeling shows that increasing flow to

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540-471: Is often owned by a public authority and then rented to farmers or ranchers, who in turn plant crops or herd livestock that feed off the flood plain. Since the flood bypass is subjected to sedimentation during flood events, the land is often very productive and even a loss of crops due to flooding can sometimes be recovered due to the high yield of the land during the non-flood periods. I Street Bridge The California Pacific Railroad Company built

585-701: Is very close to the Sacramento Valley Station and connects to the Davis station to the west. This historic bridge has a vertical clearance of 14 feet 8 inches (4.47 m) and was originally part of State Route 16 . It also carries two walkways; one on either side of the roadway. In February 2011, the cities of Sacramento and West Sacramento released the Sacramento River Crossings Alternatives Study This study determined that that

630-765: The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta , a few miles north of Rio Vista . The bypass is crossed by the Yolo Causeway , a long highway bridge on Interstate 80 , linking West Sacramento and the city of Davis , as well as by a rail causeway just north of the Yolo Causeway used by freight and Amtrak trains. To the north, Interstate 5 also crosses the bypass on the Elkhorn Causeway, east of the city of Woodland . Sacramento experienced several severe floods prior to construction of

675-468: The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta , just above Rio Vista, and from there into San Francisco Bay . The Yolo Bypass can hold approximately four times the flow of the Sacramento River. Together, the Sacramento River and Yolo Bypass are designed to handle a maximum flow of 600,000 cubic feet per second (1,000,000 m/min), of which the Sacramento handles 110,000 cu ft/s (190,000 m/min) and

720-534: The Chinook Salmon. In the summer these fields are used for the production of rice, while in the winter, the land can be flooded to create ideal wetland habitat for salmon. They have been experimenting for the past four consecutive winters, and have documented the fastest growth of juvenile Chinook Salmon ever recorded in the Central Valley. The experiment aims to mimic the natural annual flood cycle of

765-446: The I Street Bridge's "upper roadway is too narrow to serve buses, it has no bicycle facilities, and it has very narrow sidewalks". Thus, one of the recommendations of the study was the replacement of the I Street Bridge. These two city governments eventually determined that this new bridge's construction was feasible and went ahead with the project. The two city governments received a 76 million dollar grant in 2016, and in 2018 they opened

810-458: The Sacramento River reaches 27.5 feet (8.4 m) at the I Street Bridge . It was built in 1916 by the City of Sacramento and contains 48 gates over its 1,920-foot (590 m) length; water from the Sacramento Weir flows through the 1 mile (1.6 km) long Sacramento Bypass and drains into the Yolo Bypass. The crest of the Sacramento Weir is at 25 feet (7.6 m) and the top of the moveable gates

855-627: The Sacramento River valley. Destructive floods in 1862 and 1878 prompted various flood control measures, including the 11.5-mile (18.5 km) long Tule Canal (completed in 1864) along the eastern edge of the present-day Yolo Bypass; and the Elkhorn Weir (1897–1917), downstream of the confluence of the Feather and Sacramento Rivers. Congress approved the Sacramento River Flood Control Project in 1911, with

900-489: The Sacramento River, which most native fish species relied upon. This project is currently funded by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation , California Trout, and the California Department of Water Resources. Flood bypass A flood bypass is a region of land or a large man-made structure that is designed to convey excess flood waters from a river or stream in order to reduce the risk of flooding on

945-659: The San Francisco Estuary. This is mainly because of increased habitat availability, food supply, larval transport, and reduced predation. The floodplains of the Yolo Bypass are a surprisingly good farming ground for multiple seasonal crops. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife leases land to farmers through the Dixon Resource Conservation District. The most widely-grown crops include rice, safflower , processing tomatoes , corn , sunflower , and irrigated pasture. Half of

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990-537: The Yolo Bypass at the passive Fremont Weir, near that river's confluence with the Feather River . The Fremont Weir, which lies along the south bank of the Sacramento, is about 32 feet (9.8 m) tall, nearly 12 feet (3.7 m) shorter than the levee on the north bank. When the water reaches the 32 feet (9.8 m) mark it starts to flow out into the Yolo Basin. North of where the Elkhorn Causeway crosses

1035-504: The Yolo Bypass may be beneficial for animal habitat. An upcoming project looks to extend the Yolo Bypass by potentially pushing back the levees, and allowing more room for water to be released into the Yolo Bypass. Separately, the Bay Delta Conservation Plan includes plans to help restore fish habitat in the Yolo Bypass. Its plan is to put a notch at the top the Fremont Weir to allow for more water to flow, increasing

1080-528: The Yolo Bypass than the adjacent Sacramento River . Other special-status wildlife residing in the Yolo Bypass includes giant garter snake , fairy shrimp , bald eagle , Swainson's Hawk , and more. Wildlife managers occasionally flood certain areas to create wetlands for migratory waterfowl . The Yolo Bypass is somewhat of a pit stop for the waterfowl, and it provides nesting habitat and food for this abundance of birds. The Yolo Basin Wetlands Project

1125-552: The Yolo Bypass, the Cache Creek flood control basin drains into the Yolo Bypass. The Knights Landing Ridge Cut, where the Colusa Basin Drainage Canal empties, also contributes to the flow in the Yolo Bypass near this point. There is a second weir just north of West Sacramento, the Sacramento Weir, upstream of the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers. The Sacramento Weir is opened manually when

1170-541: The bridge because of the lack of support given to the Northern Electric Railroad , in their efforts to construct what would eventually become the M Street Bridge . This was despite signing an agreement for the bridge's construction. Due to this lack of support, Southern Pacific threatened to build only the railroad portion of the bridge, and not the upper deck which would support wagons and eventually automobiles . Yolo County would finally support

1215-650: The bridge should be located. An example of this is reported in the Sacramento Daily Union , where an engineer from a firm in Kansas City , named Waddell and Harrington proposed a lift bridge instead of a swing bridge . This idea gained some popularity, with the Yolo County Board of Supervisors even voting in favor of the plans presented by engineering firm. The Board of Supervisors for Yolo County had delayed giving its full support for

1260-517: The bridge. Workers encountered trouble early on, as during the construction process, workers encountered buried cans of rotting salmon, likely from an old cannery. The overwhelming stench disturbed residents of Broderick, California , and caused the construction crew to work with clothespins on their nose. In addition to the salmon, workers would eventually uncover old rails from a California Pacific Railroad bridge, human and animal bones, and some gold flakes, which caused some gold seekers to sit near

1305-433: The bypass 500,000 cu ft/s (850,000 m/min). This flood management relieves pressure on the surrounding river levee systems and reduces the risk of urban flooding in nearby cities, such as Sacramento or Davis. During wet years, which occur during more than half of all rainy seasons, the Yolo Bypass is flooded; when flooded, it covers an area equal to 1 ⁄ 3 the area of San Francisco and San Pablo Bays , to

1350-431: The bypass. The Yolo Basin, a depression formed during the last ice age , would fill up with water during the winter months from seasonal rainfall and runoff into the three rivers surrounding what is now the city of Sacramento (Sacramento, San Joaquin , and American ). This created a diverse marsh ecosystem that could last more than 100 days. During the 1800s, seasonal flooding would limit travel and access between cities in

1395-481: The center of the bridge. The first train to cross this bridge was No. 19 passenger train from San Francisco , with other passenger trains crossing afterward. The lower level of the bridge provides rail access to and from Sacramento. The upper level provides highway access. The bridge supports various Amtrak routes, such as the Capitol Corridor , Coast Starlight , and California Zephyr . The bridge

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1440-475: The construction of the upper deck on September 8, 1910, months after Southern Pacific started construction on the bridge. Despite the initial lack of clarity on the part of the Yolo County government, Southern Pacific decided to go ahead on construction of the bridge. Southern Pacific attorney W.H. Delvin would eventually make a public statement about the situation, stating “Gentlemen: —Referring to

1485-547: The construction site, and watch for any in the flowing river The I Street Bridge, known at the time as simply the Southern Pacific Bridge was finally completed on April 29, 1912. The bridge cost $ 1 million (equivalent to $ 31.6 million in 2023 adjusted for inflation) to construct. A small celebration was held to commemorate the completion of the bridge by hoisting the American Flag over

1530-492: The contract between the Southern Pacific Railroad company, a corporation, as party of the first part, and the county of Sacramento as party of the second part, and the county of Yolo as the party of the third part, the same being dated February 14. 1910. and concerning proposed new bridge to be erected by the said Southern Pacific Railroad company across the Sacramento river between the town of Washington, in

1575-661: The county of Yolo, and the city of Sacramento, in the county of Sacramento; “I am directed by the Southern Pacific company, the party of the first part in said contract, to advise you that it will be impracticable to change the swing draw, as provided In said contract, to the vertical lift type. and that, hence, no further negotiation, or conferences in that behalf will be necessary. Very truly yours, “W. H. DELVIN, “Attorney' for Southern Pacific Railroad Company.” On June 8, 1910 construction would officially begin, as carloads of equipment were unloaded and crews began work on

1620-399: The expected maximum flood flow of the river or stream. Flood bypasses are typically used only during major floods and act in a similar nature to a detention basin . Since the area of a flood bypass is significantly larger than the cross-sectional area of the original river or stream channel from which water is diverted, the velocity of water in a flood bypass will be significantly lower than

1665-535: The first railroad bridge across the Sacramento River at Sacramento. The first train crossed on January 29, 1870. On February 14, 1910 the Southern Pacific Railroad , and the governments of Sacramento County and Yolo County agreed to construction of a new bridge across the Sacramento River. Interest in the bridge was taken immediately by consultants, engineering groups, and concerned citizens, with many proposing designs and where exactly

1710-578: The frequency of flooding for fish habitat. The Nigiri Project is a collaborative research study being done in the Yolo Bypass at Knaggs Ranch by the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences, the California Department of Water Resources , and the nonprofit organization California Trout . This research is being conducted to determine how floodplains , particularly flooded rice fields, can provide habitat to endangered species such as

1755-415: The land is used for agriculture during the summer and spring, and the rest makes up marshland. This marshland is ideal for animal habitat, and is also utilized for fishing, hunting, and other recreational activities. Flood control is the main purpose of the Yolo Bypass. When the flowrate of the Sacramento River exceeds approximately 55,000 cubic feet per second (93,000 m/min), the excess is released into

1800-469: The largest colonies of bats in the state. Thousands of bats, consisting of Mexican free-tailed bats and two other species, roost under the Interstate 80 structure that crosses over the wildlife area. Habitat Management activities are monitored annually by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Wildlife Area Habitat Committee for area in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Each year they establish

1845-449: The natural river or stream near a key point of interest, such as a city. Flood bypasses, sometimes called floodways , often have man-made diversion works, such as diversion weirs and spillways , at their head or point of origin. The main body of a flood bypass is often a natural flood plain . Many flood bypasses are designed to carry enough water such that combined flows down the original river or stream and flood bypass will not exceed

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1890-491: The non-native ring-necked pheasants . The Yolo Bypass provides a multitude of recreational uses and educational as well. The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Headquarters provides summer educational programs for children in kindergarten through high school. These programs include hands on activities on plants, animals, and wetlands, using the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area as a classroom. They have summer camps, classes, and are open to schools wanting to coordinate field trips as well. The Bypass

1935-412: The passive Fremont Weir, where water spills from the Sacramento into the bypass if it reaches the 33.5 feet (10.2 m) crest. Downstream, the Sacramento Weir, just north of the city of West Sacramento , can also be opened to divert additional waters from the Sacramento if needed. From the west, Cache Creek drains into the bypass. The bypass itself runs south, parallel to the Sacramento, and drains into

1980-603: The rice grown in the Yolo Bypass is wild due to its tolerance to colder weather. Farming is mainly done in late spring and summer when flooding does not usually occur, but farming can be halted or delayed depending on the water level in the Bypass. Agricultural crops in Yolo County amount to about $ 300 million a year. Leftover crop residue is beneficial to animal habitat. The already-harvested land creates foraging area, and food opportunities, such as seeds for mourning dove and

2025-423: The velocity of the flood water in the original system. These low velocities often cause increased sediment deposition in the flood bypass, thus it is important to incorporate a maintenance program for the entire flood bypass system when it is not being actively used during a flood operation. When not being used to convey water, flood bypasses are sometimes used for agricultural or environmental purposes. The land

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