San Luis Obispo Creek
at Buckley Road, January 2006
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The 1981 FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)
depicts a generally 300-400 meter (1000-1300 foot) band of flooding (100-year average
recurrence interval) extending along SLO Creek, with narrower widths along Stenner and
Prefumo Creeks. The extent of flood prone areas was verified by hydrologic/hydraulic
studies completed as part of this WMP. However, the WMP Hydraulic/Hydrology studies
(Appendix C) found the depth and frequency of flooding to be greater than in the FEMA
studies.
The 1995 flood caused significant damage to private property within the City and
SLO Creek, especially the Mid-Higuera area, but provided some clearing and enlargement
of the waterway. If this same flood occurred today, (2002) it would probably not produce
the depth of flooding experienced in 1995. Conveyance capacity increased at many
locations by down cutting and widening the channel through erosion and removal of flow
inhibiting vegetation. However, in many areas the channel vegetation has recovered. At
other locations the capacity has been reduced by sediment deposition (Marsh Street and Los
Osos Valley Road Bridges), and at point bars on the inside of channel meanders. The most
noticeable area of willow-hardened bars occurs in Reach 8 near and downstream of the
City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant below Prado Road.
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