OCEANSIDE — The city has paid $2.33 million to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to advance the next phase of the San Luis Rey River Flood Protection Project, a long-standing effort to safeguard the region from significant flood risks.
Initially authorized by Congress in 1970, the project aimed to provide a 250-year flood protection level across 533.4 acres between the Pacific Ocean and College Boulevard.
In 1988, Oceanside agreed to fund 25% of the project’s cost. Although construction was completed in 2000, environmental constraints, including critical habitats and species within the river, delayed its final turnover to the city.
Over time, the Army Corps identified “significant changes in environmental conditions” not addressed before construction. These findings prompted a re-evaluation of the project to meet updated engineering standards, particularly those implemented after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The project’s cost has escalated significantly over the years. Initially budgeted at $113.8 million, the cost rose to $202.2 million in 2020 and more recently to $230.6 million following another evaluation by the Army Corps. This latest increase added $7.1 million to Oceanside’s 25% share, bringing the city’s total estimated contribution to $57.7 million.
The project’s current phase involves sediment removal and design reviews, estimated at $9.33 million, of which Oceanside’s share is $2.33 million. The payment leaves approximately $12.66 million in the city’s reserve account for future project costs.
City staff reported an outstanding balance of $26 million and outlined plans to increase reserves through future budget cycles, a potential fee program for properties in the flood zone, or other funding sources.
Despite initial goals for 250-year flood protection, environmental commitments to preserve vegetation for endangered species like Bell’s Vireo mean the project will achieve slightly more than 100-year flood protection. Revised hydrology studies, expected in 2025, will finalize this standard.
City Manager Jonathan Borrego assured that Oceanside has sufficient funds to meet project payments for the next five years while staff seeks additional funding.
“The Army Corps of Engineers is expected to complete its ongoing geotechnical subsurface investigations in March 2025, which may result in further changes to the project and thus add to its cost,” Borrego said.
Resident Jimmy Knott raised concerns about whether developers along the San Luis Rey River corridor contribute to the project’s costs.
“They need to also stand forward and pay their fair share as well,” Knott said.
Borrego explained that under updated stormwater requirements, all new developments must manage runoff on-site, though this does not address runoff from older developments.
“That doesn’t address old development, but all new development is required to prevent runoff,” Borrego said.