WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The Southport Levee Improvement Project, completed in 2019, created two floodplain restoration areas. In just two years those areas are maturing into a rich riparian forest along the west bank of the Sacramento River.

The Project was designed to achieve 200-year flood protection for the City of West Sacramento and to provide project habitat mitigation. These mitigation areas are located upriver and downriver from Bees Lakes, an existing mature riparian habitat. More than 76,000 plants were installed on 120 acres in 2019. River Partners is the West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency's restoration contractor responsible for planting, irrigation, and removal of invasive species. Check out River Partner's drone flight overhead:

The restoration areas are planted with a variety of trees, shrubs, grasses, and forbs to mimic natural riparian development along the Sacramento River. In addition, there has been significant natural recruitment of willows, cottonwoods, and other riparian species.